As used in this subchapter:

(1) “Central service technician” means an individual who decontaminates, inspects, assembles, packages, and sterilizes reusable medical instruments or devices for a health-care facility.

(2) “Health-care facility” means a hospital or freestanding surgical center licensed pursuant to this title.

(3) “Health-care practitioner” means an individual licensed to practice in the healing arts, pursuant to Title 24, acting within the scope of his or her license.

83 Del. Laws, c. 493, § 1;  70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1; 

(a) An individual may not be engaged in work as a central service technician in a health-care facility and a health-care facility may not employ an individual as a central service technician unless the individual has passed a nationally-accredited central service exam for central service technicians and holds and maintains 1 of the following credentials:

(1) Certified registered central service technician credential.

(2) Certified sterile processing and distribution technician credential.

(b) Exemption. —

The certification requirement provided in subsection (a) of this section shall not apply to an individual employed or otherwise working as a central service technician in a health-care facility as of January 1, 2023.

83 Del. Laws, c. 493, § 1; 

(a) New employees. —

An individual hired as a central service technician who does not meet the requirements of § 3011A(a) of this title shall have 18 months, from the date of hire, to comply with the certification requirements.

(b) Continuing education. —

Individuals who are employed as a central service technician in a health-care facility shall annually complete 10 hours of continuing education. The continuing education required under this subsection shall be in subject areas related to the scope of work of a central service technician.

83 Del. Laws, c. 493, § 1; 

A health-care facility shall maintain documentation to verify that an individual meets the certification requirements of § 3011A of this title including the individual’s date of employment as a central service technician.

83 Del. Laws, c. 493, § 1; 

Nothing in this subchapter may be construed to prohibit any of the following individuals from performing the tasks of a central service technician:

(1) A health-care practitioner.

(2) A student or intern performing the tasks of a central service technician, under the direct supervision of a health-care practitioner as a part of their training or internship.

83 Del. Laws, c. 493, § 1;