Certification Process
The
National Commission for Certification of Anesthesiologist Assistants
(NCCAA) provides the certification process for anesthesiologist
assistants in the United States.
The certification process involves initial certification by successfully completing the Certifying Examination for Anesthesiologist Assistants, registration of continuing medical education credits, and successfully completing an Examination for Continued Demonstration of Qualifications when you are due.
Because employment as an anesthesiologist assistant in almost every locale is contingent upon certification, it is the expectation of the Program that each student will plan for, apply for, and take the Certifying Examination in his/her year of graduation.
- The cost of the NCCAA Certifying Examination is currently $ 1327.50.
- The cost of CDQ Examination is currently $742.50, and is required every 10 years (previously every 6 years). Additional information is available on the NCCAA.
- How will the new CDQ component of the process be implemented? Each CAA will continue on their current 6-year CDQ exam schedule, until successfully passing their next CDQ exam. Upon passing the CDQ exam at the current 6-year cycle, the CAA will transition to the new 10-year CDQ interval. For instance, if your next CDQ exam on the current 6-year cycle is due in 2021, you will be required to take and pass the CDQ in either February or June of 2021. Upon successfully passing the exam in 2021, your next CDQ exam will occur in 2031.
- For new CAAs, those that become certified in 2020 or after, the first CDQ exam will be in 4 years. Upon successful passing of their first CDQ exam, the CAA will then transition to the 10-year CDQ interval. For instance, if you first certified in 2020, you will be required to take and pass the CDQ exam in either February or June of 2024. Upon successfully passing the exam in 2024, your next CDQ will occur in 2034.
- The cost of CME registration is currently $150. Forty hours of CME are required every two years.