Tennessee Senate Bill SB0174

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/15/25
• Engrossed: 2/20/25
• Enrolled: 3/13/25
• Passed: 3/25/25
• Chaptered: 4/8/25

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 63, Chapter 6, relative to surgical assistants.

Summary

SB0174 amends Tennessee law governing surgical assistants. The bill updates the statutory language in Title 63, Chapter 6, to recognize the American Board of Surgical Assistants alongside the National Commission for Certification of Surgical Assistants as an acceptable certifying body for surgical assistants. It also removes an outdated deadline in the statute that had required compliance by December 31, 2019. In practical terms, the bill modernizes the credentialing framework for surgical assistants in Tennessee by broadening the list of recognized certifying organizations and eliminating a time-limited provision that no longer serves a purpose. The measure is narrow and technical, focused on professional licensure and certification standards rather than changing scope of practice or creating new regulatory programs.

Impact

The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated § 63-6-219, which governs surgical assistants, by expanding the recognized certification entities and deleting obsolete deadline language. This affects surgical assistants seeking state-recognized credentials, as well as employers and licensing regulators who rely on the statute to determine acceptable certification. The change is intended to align state law with current professional certification options and reduce ambiguity in qualification standards.

Sentiment

The bill appears to have been received positively and without controversy. It passed the Senate Health and Welfare Committee unanimously and then passed the Senate floor 89-0, indicating broad bipartisan support. The available record shows no committee debate or opposition, suggesting the measure was viewed as a routine technical update to professional licensing law.

Contention

There is little evidence of substantive contention around SB0174. The only notable policy choice is the decision to recognize the American Board of Surgical Assistants in addition to the National Commission for Certification of Surgical Assistants, which may reflect support from surgical assistant professionals or employers seeking broader certification recognition. The removal of the December 31, 2019 deadline is also a cleanup change, and no opposition or competing viewpoints are reflected in the available materials.