Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That §54.1-2956.12 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§54.1-2956.12. Registered surgical technologist; use of title; registration.

A. No person shall hold himself out to be a surgical technologist or use or assume the title "registered surgical technologist" of "surgical technologist" or "certified surgical technologist," or use the designation "C.S.T." or "S.T." or any variation thereof, unless such person is registered with is certified by the Board.

B. The Board shall register certify as a registered surgical technologist any applicant who presents satisfactory evidence that he (i) has successfully completed an accredited surgical technologist training program and holds a current credential as a certified surgical technologist from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting or its successor, (ii) has successfully completed a training program for surgical technologist training program technology during the person's service as a member of any branch of the armed forces of the United States, or (iii) has practiced as a surgical technologist at any time in the six months prior to July 1, 2014 2021, provided he registers with the Board by December 31, 2016 2021.