03/22/07

The Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) has changed the eligibility requirements for 6-month and 18-month candidates for the Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT) credential. Beginning July 2008, any candidate qualifying for the examination process must meet eligibility requirements by submitting proof of completion of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine’s A-STEP self-learning modules, or an equivalent educational program, with their application to sit for the registry exam. 

The AASM’s A-STEP self-learning modules consist of 12 web-based polysomnographic training modules. These modules are available to any polysomnographic technician and offer training and skill assessment for topics such as Patient Assessment, Scoring Sleep Studies, Titration of PAP, and Patient Interaction and Professional Behavior.

This new requirement will also apply to candidates with other allied health profession credentials such as respiratory, nursing or electroneurodiagnostics who are eligible to sit for the RPSGT exam with a minimum of 6 months of sleep medicine technology experience. This new requirement will help address and formalize a standardized approach to the training and education for candidates that sit for the BRPT examination with an experiential component as part of their eligibility.

“We commend the AASM for developing this much-needed educational pathway for RPSGT candidates,” said Bonnie Robertson, CRT, RPSGT, and President of the BRPT. “There is no doubt in my mind that having this educational requirement will enable candidates to be better prepared not only for the exam, but more importantly to better serve their patients.”

According to Robertson, the BRPT continues to vigorously support the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Educational Programs (CAAHEP) accredited polysomnography programs and encourages the sleep and educational communities to continue to develop these programs over the next several years. 

Further information regarding the A-STEP program can be found at http://www.aasmnet.org/astep Equivalent educational programs should submit the components of their training/educational programs for consideration to the BRPT’s Educational Advisory Committee by writing to [email protected].