Practical Experience Pathway

ASATT proudly presents the Practical Experience Pathway, an alternative route to certification for those who are experienced but uncertified in the field of anesthesia technology.

To meet the growing need for credentialed individuals in the field of anesthesia technology, the ASATT Board of Directors, along with select stakeholders, has developed the Practical Experience Pathway for experienced uncertified technicians to earn eligibility for the National Certification Exam (NCE).

ASATT recognizes the growth of the anesthesia technology profession over the past seven years in seeing 11 programs become accredited, with much thanks being given to the Committee on Accreditation for Anesthesia Technology Programs and their diligent work with CAAHEP.

This new pathway will provide an opportunity for the profession's growth in three key ways:

1. A tangible pathway to credentialing for those experienced uncertified technicians for whom programs are not currently and have not historically been viable options.
2. An additional avenue that allows operating anesthesia technology programs across the country the ability to serve their communities' needs by providing continuing education opportunities to experienced uncertified technicians.
3. A foundational step for academic institutions to develop continuing education programs across the country. This will lead to the future viability of these programs to establish degree-conferring accredited programs.
4. ASATT recognizes that the growth of the profession and its continued standardization requires collaboration with institutions from across the country. Concerning the continuing education component of the Practical Experience Pathway, ASATT encourages all accredited programs to develop and build continuing education curriculums to meet the projected demand for this new pathway. Additionally, we encourage academic institutions interested in developing programs to pursue this process as well, as this will only enhance the development of degree-conferring programs in the future.

Any academic institution seeking to start a new continuing education component can submit its proposal, curriculum map, objectives, and outcomes to the Continuing Education Committee for review and approval.

Please see the PEP Brochure for more information.