Examinations

Practice Examination and Orientation

The Practice Examination and Orientation module is now available for download.  Instructions on installing and completing the Practice Exam can be found at the bottom of this page, and here. 

Certifying Examination

The Certifying Examination for Anesthesiologist Assistants is the entry point into the certification process for anesthesiologist assistants in the United States. Items on the examination are designed to assess the candidate's entry-level knowledge and his/her skill in applying that knowledge related to the duties of a practicing anesthesiologist assistant.

Eligibility for Certifying Examination

To be eligible to apply for the Certifying Examination, a candidate must be 21 years of age; must be a graduate of a CAAHEP-accredited educational program for anesthesiologist assistants; must be practicing as an anesthesiologist assistant or eligible to practice as an anesthesiologist assistant in at least one of the fifty states of the United States; OR must be a student in good standing in an accredited program who will be graduated from that program within 180 days of the Certifying Examination. Upon receipt of a complete application and all requisite supporting documentation, the National Commission for Certification of Anesthesiologist Assistants will rule on an applicant's eligibility and so notify him/her within 30 days.

References

• Clinical Anesthesiology, 4th Edition by Morgan and Mikhail
• Miller’s Anesthesia;, 7th edition, Miller, Erikson, Fleisher, Wierner-Kronish, Young, 2009.
• Essential Clinical Anesthesia by Vacanti, Sikka, and Urman
• Stoeling RK, Dierdorf SF: Anesthesia and Co-Existing Diseases (5th Edition). Elsevier Health Sciences
• Clinical Anesthesia by Barash Cullen and Stoelting
• Anesthesiology, Longnecker, Brown, Newman, Zapol, 2008.Clinical Anesthesia, 6th edition, Barash, Cullen, Stoelting, Calahan, Stock, 2009.
• Medical Physiology, 12th edition, Guyton & Hall, 2011.
• Handbook, Clinical Anesthesia Procedures of the Massachusetts General Hospital, 8th ed.,
• Hall, A Comprehensive Review, 4th ed.,
• Anesthesia Secrets, by Duke 4th ed.,
• Basics of Anesthesia, by Miller and Pardo 6th ed

CDQ Examination

The Examination for Continued Demonstration of Qualifications of Anesthesiologist Assistants [CDQ Examination] is one component of the ongoing certification process for anesthesiologist assistants in the United States. The CDQ Examination is designed to test the cognitive and deductive skills of the practicing anesthesiologist assistant who has successfully entered and continues to participate in the certification process for anesthesiologist assistants administered by NCCAA.

Eligibility for CDQ Examination

To be eligible to apply for the CDQ Examination, a candidate must be currently certified as an anesthesiologist assistant by the National Commission for Certification of Anesthesiologist Assistants, where current means at the time of application. Upon receipt of a complete application and all requisite supporting documentation, the National Commission for Certification of Anesthesiologist Assistants will rule on an applicant's eligibility and so notify him/her within 30 days.

Scheduling an Examination

Once an application for an examination has been approved, the candidate will be mailed a scheduling permit by the National Board of Medical Examiners.  The candidate should follow the directions on the scheduling permit to obtain a seat at a Prometric testing center.  Prometric is solely responsible for scheduling and rescheduling examinations.  To schedule or reschedule an examination or to report a problem with scheduling, rescheduling, or a test center, contact Prometric:

• www.prometric.com - choose Testing Program "National Commission for Certification of Anesthesiologist Assistants"
• Prometric telephone: (800) 490-6504
   

Content Outline

The Content Outline for the Certifying and CDQ Examinations contains sixteen categories. The following list contains the categories, their approximate percentage [Pct] in the exams, and topics within each category. The description of categories is not all inclusive. The weighting and coverage of topics within categories differs between Certifying Examinations and CDQ Examinations.

Download the complete content outline here.