Anesthesiologist Assistant
Ensuring Comfort, Safeguarding Health
Pursuing a Career as an Anesthesiologist Assistant
Students interested in becoming a certified anesthesiologist assistant (CAA) will need to complete a two-year master's program that is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Allied Health Educational Programs (CAAHEP). There are currently 13 accredited CAA programs in the United States. After completing the program, individuals must pass the National Commission for the Certification of Anesthesiology Assistants (NCCAA) board examination.
An undergraduate degree is required for admission, along with prerequisite coursework in chemistry, biology, organic chemistry, biochemistry and physics. Be sure to check each school's prerequisites, as they may vary by programs. Shadowing an anesthesiologist or anesthesiologist assistant is a valuable aspect in pursuing admission to these programs. Letters of recommendation, personal statements, and interviews are also an important part of the application process. The MCAT or GRE may be required.
Be sure to complete the short online form to be assigned to an HPAO advisor and notified about HPAO programs and services.
About Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant
Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants are highly skilled professionals who work in hospitals and surgical clinics under the direction of licensed anesthesiologists (specialist physicians) as part of the anesthesia care team to design and implement anesthesia care plans.
For more information on this field, visit:
Welcome to Certified Anesthesiology Assistant (CAA)
Whether you’re exploring a CAA’s duties and scope of practice or actively preparing to apply to CAA programs, we’re here to support your journey. Learn more about the CAA profession, including which states recognize CAAs, and how to become a competitive applicant when applying to CAA programs.
Kelli Elaine Hutchens
Academic Advisor