National Commission for Certification of Anesthesiologist Assistants
Welcome to NCCAA.
As the national certifying body for Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants, we uphold patient safety and clinical standards through rigorous certification, ongoing qualification, and lifelong learning.
I’m here as
Verify a certification
Confirm that an Anesthesiologist Assistant holds a current NCCAA certificate.
Certification, start to finish.
Find everything you need for your professional journey. Choose your role below to view step-by-step guidance and link directly to official policy handbooks.
Students & graduates
Become certified
Eligibility, clinical experience requirements, applying and registering for the Certification Exam, and what happens after results.
Certified AAs
Maintain certification
The CDQ Exam in year 4, year 10 and then every ten years, 50 hours of CME every two years, and how to update your profile.
Lapsed certification
Re-enter the profession
A path back to certification for CAAs whose certificate has lapsed, with requirements that depend on how long you’ve been away.
Considering a career as a CAA? Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants are highly skilled health professionals who work under the direction of licensed anesthesiologists to implement anesthesia care plans. Find out what CAAs do and how to become one.
Key dates
All dates and deadlines- Certification & CDQ ExamsFeb 9 – 13, 2027Register and book your exam Nov 9, 2026 – Feb 6, 2027 →
- CME submissions dueJun 1, 2027For CAAs whose cycle ends in 2027 →
- Certification & CDQ ExamsJun 1 – 5, 2027Register and book your exam Mar 1 – Jun 2, 2027 →
- Certification ExamOct 5 – 9, 2027Register and book your exam Jul 5 – Oct 6, 2027 →
Why certification matters
Assurance for patients, employers and the profession.
NCCAA certification tells the public that a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant has the knowledge, skills and competency to practice. States provide the legal credential; certification with NCCAA shows compliance with the professional standard, and it is recognized in state medical practice acts and state administrative rules and regulations.
- Accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies
- Exams written and reviewed by practicing CAAs
- Biennial Continuing Medical Education
- Periodic re-examination for Demonstration of Qualification
- Public registry to verify any certificate
The profession, by the numbers
Figures are updated after every exam administration.
Exam results and pass rates by administration →- 4,718Certified Anesthesiologist Assistantsas of July 18, 2026
- 1,585Students in the pipeline
Get involved
The exam is written by CAAs. Help write it.
Item writers, exam reviewers and Commissioners are practicing CAAs who volunteer their time. It’s how the certification stays grounded in real practice, and how the Commission stays open to the profession it serves.
Latest
News & statements.
- Public Statement: June 2026 Certification Exam ResultsNCCAA has invalidated all results from the June 2026 administration of the Certification Exam. Affected candidates may retest at no cost.
- NCCAA earns NCCA accreditationThe Certification and CDQ programs meet the national standard for credentialing bodies.
Common questions.
What if I do not pass the Certification Exam?
If you do not pass the Certification exam:
- You are allowed up to six attempts to pass the exam within a two-year period from your initial attempt.
- You are not required to take the next consecutive exam administration immediately after an unsuccessful attempt. You may choose when to retake the exam within the allowed two-year window.
- You may choose to retake the exam during its regularly scheduled and posted administration period during the two-year window.
- It is important to utilize this flexibility to adequately prepare for your next attempt to maximize your chances of passing.
Details: Results & retakes and the Certification Exam Handbook.
How do I cancel or reschedule my exam?
What if I have to cancel or reschedule my exam?
To cancel or reschedule your exam:
- Log into their NCCAA account and scroll to the bottom to click on the “View Details” button, which will display asynopsis of the current appointment. Select the “Reschedule” button, at which time the system will connect to Pearson’s scheduling platform wherein availability may be viewed before proceeding to reschedule the current appointment. The new appointment will not be finalized until “Submit” is selected at the bottom of the page.
- Additional information regarding Pearson testing center may be found by clicking here .
Cancellation Policies:
- No refunds will be issued for the following reasons:
- Failing to schedule the exam with the Pearson test center.
- Canceling a scheduled examination less than 24 hours in advance.
- Arriving more than 15 minutes late for the scheduled exam.
- Failing to appear for the scheduled exam.
- If an emergency occurs, you must provide a written description and documentation to the NCCAA via email at [email protected] within 24 hours of the scheduled exam date. Refunds due to emergencies are subject to a $100 administration fee .
Note: Failing to bring the required photo identification or incorrectly recording the exam date, time, or location is not considered an emergency.
See Apply & register.
I am not a U.S. citizen. Can I sit for the exam?
Citizenship is not a requirement for certification. Completion of education, training, and successful examination are the determining factors in gaining certification. You are not eligible to sit for the Certification exam to become a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant (CAA) without matriculation and satisfactory progress toward graduation in an accredited anesthesiologist assistant program.
Regardless of your prior training or experience in another country, all candidates—both non-US citizens and US citizens—must meet this requirement. The NCCAA maintains this standard to ensure all candidates have received education and training that meets the specific criteria established by CAAHEP for anesthesia education programs in the United States.
See Eligibility.
When do the clinical experience requirements become mandatory?
Mandatory use of the NCCAA application and logging of Clinical Experience Requirements will be in effect for all for all prospective CAAs matriculating in an AA educational program on or after January 1, 2025.
See Eligibility.
How do I report a problem at a test center?
If you encounter an issue at the exam site:
- You will have access to a Test Center Administrator (TCA) on the scheduled test day. If there is a problem with the computer during your exam, the exam will be resumed from the point of interruption, as your answers are continuously saved to a backup. If the exam cannot be resumed on the same day and must be rescheduled, a new Examination will be administered at no additional cost to you, provided the issue was caused by circumstances at the test center.
- Report any issues related to admission or administration of the Exam, including conditions at the test center, immediately at the test center before leaving. Additionally, you must report these issues to the NCCAA by email at [email protected] within three (3) business days of the examination date.
- Your report should include your full name, test center location and address, and a detailed description of the conditions that caused the issue(s). The NCCAA will review your report and may decide to administer a new Exam or take other appropriate action. The NCCAA will not consider issues reported more than three (3) business days after the exam date.
Full policy: Test center issues.
What if I do not pass the CDQ Exam?
If you do not pass the Continuing Demonstration of Qualifications (CDQ) exam:
- You are allowed a total of three attempts to pass the CDQ exam before decertification occurs.
- You are required to register for the next consecutive exam administration following an unsuccessful attempt.
- If you do not register for the next consecutive exam administration, you will become decertified . It is crucial to adhere to the registration timelines to maintain your certification status.
Details: CDQ results & retakes.