For the full details, see the Certification Process Handbook.
Initial Certification Overview.
The Certification Examination for Anesthesiologist Assistants is the entry point into the certification process for anesthesiologist assistants in the United States. The Certification Examination is designed to test entry-level cognitive and deductive skills of the anesthesiologist assistant. Eligibility to sit for the NCCAA Certification Exam includes graduation from an approved educational program and completion and documentation of NCCAA Standards of Clinical Experience. The process is outlined in detail within the NCCAA Certification Examination Handbook, available on the NCCAA website or within the NCCAA mobile application.
Continued Certification Process Overview.
The ongoing certification process administered by the NCCAA involves:
- Initial certification after successful completion of the Certifying Examination (CERT) for Anesthesiologist Assistants
- Registration of credit for continuing medical education (CME) and successful completion of any applicable CME audits
- Successful completion of Examination for Continued Demonstration of Qualifications (CDQ). The certification process operates on a continuous ten-year cycle following the 4-year check-in CDQ:
| YEAR | CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENT |
|---|---|
| 0 | Successful Passing of the Certification Exam |
| 1 | No required submissions or examination |
| 2 | Successful CME Registration & Compliance with audit as applicable |
| 3 | No required submissions or examination |
| 4 | Successful Passing of the Continued Demonstration of Qualifications (CDQ) Exam and Successful CME Registration & Compliance with audit as applicable |
| 5 | No required submissions or Examination |
| 6 | Successful CME Registration & Compliance with audit, as applicable |
| 7 | No required submissions or Examination |
| 8 | Successful CME Registration & Compliance with audit, as applicable |
| 9 | No required submissions or Examination |
| 10 | Successful Passing of the Continued Demonstration of Qualifications Exam and Successful CME Registration & Compliance with audit as applicable |
| 11,13,15,17,19 | No required submissions or Examination |
| 12,14,16,18 | Successful CME Registration & Compliance with audit, as applicable |
| 20 | Successful Passing of the Continued Demonstration of Qualifications Exam and Successful CME Registration & Compliance with audit as applicable |
*Repeat years 11-20 for 21-30
The NCCAA awards a time-limited certification to each practitioner who successfully completes the Certifying Examination and graduates from an NCCAA approved educational program. Each anesthesiologist assistant is able to maintain current certification by registering the required number and type of CME credits every two (2) years and successfully completing the CDQ examination in year 4 of certification, followed by year 10, 20, 30 and so on.