For the full details, see the CDQ Exam Handbook.
Registration Process.
During year of eligibility, exam candidates will register for the CDQ Exam through their individual, secure NCCAA accounts via the mobile app. To access registration:
- Log into your NCCAA account on the app.
- Click the CDQ Exam link, then select the exam administration (February or June).
- Registration is open during select timeframes, as listed within the CDQ Exam link.
- Once selected, follow the steps to sign the NDA form, complete the required fields and submit payment via credit card.
- The receipt for exam fees will not be sent via email; rather it is permanently stored and available via the ‘Receipts and Results’ page on the app.
It is the exam candidate’s responsibility to proofread the contact information as entered to ensure receipt of all Pearson and NCCAA communication regarding the exam.
To initiate the process of scheduling exam, click on the “Book Testing Center Now” button. The system will then connect you directly to Pearson’s scheduling platform.
Scheduling Exam via Pearson’s Scheduling Platform.
Once candidate is connected to Pearson’s scheduling platform:
- Select “Schedule an exam” on the main page, then click on CDQ Exam.
- On the next page, review the NCCAA Policies and “Agree”. A list of testing centers will populate at the bottom of the page based upon your zip code. Use the search function to change populated testing center locations
- Click on the preferred testing center to see available appointments and select a date and time. Click ‘submit’ at the bottom of the page to finalize your appointment. If you do not finalize the process by clicking ‘submit’, your appointment will not be reserved.
- An automated confirmation email containing the exam appointment details will be generated and sent to the candidate’s email.
To reschedule or cancel an exam, the candidate will log into their NCCAA account and scroll to the bottom to click on the “View Details” button which will display a synopsis 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 or cancel the current appointment. The new appointment will not be finalized until ‘Submit’ is selected at the bottom of the page.
All aspects of what to expect in a Pearson test center can be found at: https://www.pearsonvue.com/us/en/test-takers/pearson-professional-center-tour.html.
Name & Contact.
The name entered by the candidate in their individual secure NCCAA profile is the name that is submitted to Pearson on the eligibility file.
When a candidate appears at the Pearson test center, the first and last name, as they appear on the original NCCAA eligibility notification received by Pearson, and one government-issued photo identification must match.
Candidates will not be allowed to take the exam if their photo identification does not bear the same first and last names as their eligibility file shows at the Pearson test center.
Name or address changes are not accepted at the Pearson test center. If a candidate changes his or her name and/or address after the registration for an NCCAA exam has been received, the NCCAA should be notified of the change immediately by email at [email protected].
Purpose of the CDQ Exam.
The NCCAA administers the CDQ Exam to assess the continued baseline knowledge, cognitive, and deductive skills of the anesthesiologist assistant with respect to identified anesthesia subject matter areas within the practice of the anesthesiologist assistant.
Eligibility.
Practice
The candidate must be practicing as an anesthesiologist assistant or eligible to practice as an anesthesiologist assistant in at least one (1) of the 50 states of the United States of America, the District of Columbia or the US territory of Guam.
Certification
The candidate must be currently certified as an anesthesiologist assistant in good standing by the National Commission for Certification of Anesthesiologist Assistants, where current means at the time of application and examination.
Examination Candidacy.
Eligibility timeframe for the CDQ Examination shall extend for three (3) consecutive CDQ Examination offerings, beginning with the February or June administration of the CDQ Examination the calendar year of CDQ Examination requirement for maintenance of certification (year 4, 10, 20 etc.). Should the candidate elect the February administration in the year CDQ is due, then the three (3) consecutive attempts begins with the February administration.
Should the candidate for CDQ Examination choose to take an earlier offered CDQ Examination (e.g., February) within the calendar year of CDQ Examination requirement for maintenance of certification (year 4, 10, 20 etc.), then the eligibility timeframe for the CDQ Examination shall extend for three (3) consecutive CDQ Examination offerings from the date of the initial CDQ Examination. (e.g., If the candidate takes the CDQ Exam in February of year four (4) of certification, then the candidate has two (2) more attempts and they must be taken during consecutive offerings of the CDQ Exam). Reapplication for successive exam attempts will incur a registration fee established by the NCCAA.
During the eligibility period, the following shall be considered use of an examination opportunity:
- An examination candidate fails to appear for a scheduled CDQ Examination, or
- An examination candidate fails to complete a scheduled CDQ Examination, or
- An examination candidate fails to pass a CDQ Examination, or
- A candidate for reexamination fails to register for the next available CDQ Examination.
Important Note: Should a candidate that is due for CDQ examination fail to register for the CDQ examination in the year due or a subsequent administration following and unsuccessful attempt, de-certification will occur.
Eligible Status.
A candidate who has met the eligibility requirements, has successfully passed the NCCAA d, and has maintained certification through compliance with NCCAA policies is eligible to register for the CDQ examination in the calendar year due for the individual CAA according to NCCAA policy.