Certification

​The National Commission for Certification of Anesthesiologist Assistants (NCCAA) was founded in July 1989 to develop and administer the certification process for CAAs in the United States. The NCCAA consists of commissioners representing the ASA and the American Academy of Anesthesiologist Assistants (AAAA) and includes physician and CAA members (at-large).

 

Graduates or senior students in the last semester of a CAAHEP accredited CAA educational program may apply for initial certification. Such a professional distinction is awarded to an AA who has successfully completed the Certifying Examination for Anesthesiologist Assistants administered by NCCAA in collaboration with the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME).

​

NCCAA maintains a database of Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants for verification of individual practitioners. Hospitals, practice groups, state boards and others may verify an individual CAA’s certification via a printed verification statement posted on the Verify Certification page of the NCCAA's website. ​

​

​

Recertification

 

CAAs are granted a time-limited certificate after passing the initial examination. They submit documentation to NCCAA every two years after completing 40 hours of Continuing Medical Education (CME). In addition, every six years, the practitioner must pass the examination for Continued Demonstration of Qualifications (CDQ).

 

The CDQ examination was first administered in 1998, making CAAs the first anesthesia profession to require passage of a written examination as part of the recertification process. Failure to meet any of the above CME or examination requirements results in withdrawal of the CAA’s certification.