The CSRT Certified Clinical Anesthesia Assistant certification recognizes registered and associate members working in the field of anesthesia, who have completed additional education and clinical training to become an anesthesia assistant, who demonstrate involvement in continuing professional development activities and who display a commitment to maintaining proficiency and professionalism as an anesthesia assistant.
Certification incorporates an external and independent practice-focused evaluation based on the validated National Competency Framework for Anesthesia Assistance. The CCAA designation is the only national benchmark for AA practice in Canada and serves as an independent and impartial assessment of ongoing competency.
CCAA Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the CCAA certificate, an individual must meet all of the following criteria:
- Must have graduated from a CSRT-accredited AA education program
- Must pass the CSRT AA exam (see below for information on the CSRT AA Exam)
- Must be a registered member or an associate member in good standing with the CSRT
- Registered respiratory therapists (RRT) who have met the criteria to work in Canada must be registered members
- Registered nurses (RN), Clinical Assistants, and International Medical Graduates must be associate members
- Must have the appropriate license to practice from the individual’s Canadian provincial licensing/regulatory body
- The license must not impose any restrictions, terms, limitations or conditions.
- Commit to remaining a member of the CSRT, maintaining proficiency and professionalism as an anesthesia assistant, and to achieving 25 relevant continuing education credits each membership year (April 1-March 31). Continuing education activities and their respective credits are outlined in the CSRT credit tracking system.
CCAA Eligibility Timelines for candidates who have passed the CSRT AA Exam:
- Upon successful completion of the CSRT AA examination, application for the CCAA certification must occur within one year.
- Applications must be made online.
- In the case of applicants who apply for the CCAA after the one-year eligibility deadline has passed, a continuing education audit must be completed to determine that the eligibility requirements have been satisfied in each membership year beyond the one-year eligibility deadline. An administration fee of $200 will apply for the assessment.
Maintaining the CCAA
In the instance where an individual who has been previously granted the CCAA designation and who does not maintain one of more of the above criteria, their CCAA designation will be deemed “lapsed” (see below). Such individual may no longer use the CCAA designation unless this lapse is resolved and the CSRT confirms that the designation has been re-instated.
Annual CCAA Audit:
Ten percent of CCAA certificate holders will be randomly selected each year for an audit to ensure they continue to meet all eligibility criteria. Certificate holders who do not demonstrate that they meet all CCAA requirements will have their CCAA certificate revoked. An individual that has had their CCAA revoked on grounds of not passing the audit may make a special request in writing to the CSRT Board of Directors to be considered for reinstatement.
Lapsed CCAA:
In the case of individuals whose CCAA status has lapsed for three months to three years, a continuing education audit must be completed to determine that specific eligibility requirements remained satisfied in each lapsed membership year, before eligibility for the CCAA may be re-established. An administration fee of $200 will apply for the assessment.
In the case of individuals whose CCAA status has lapsed for more than three years, they must write and pass the CSRT AA Examination (at their own expense), and undertake a continuing education audit to determine that specific eligibility requirements remained satisfied, in each lapsed membership year, before eligibility for the CCAA may be re-established. An administration fee of $200 will apply for the assessment.
Some important information on CCAA Maintenance Requirements Relating to CE Credits
- Activities that have not been accredited by the CSRT must meet the CSRT accreditation threshold as outlined here.
- Preceptorship may only account for 5 credits of the total 25 credits.
- Annual workplace recertifications may only account for 5 credits of the total 25 credits. It is recommended that you maintain evidence of completion of continuining professional development activites. This may include, but is not limited to, certificates of achievement, links to/citations for publications, URLs for websites, etc. that demoinstrate your participation in the activity.
CSRT National Anesthesia Assistance Exam Information
The next iteration of the CSRT Anesthesia Assistance exam will be on January 22nd, 2025. Registration will close on December 3, 2024.
Exam fee: $555 + tax
Exam eligibility:
Candidates are permitted up to three attempts to challenge the exam. Successful completion of the exam (i.e., the candidate passes the exam) must occur within three years of graduation* from a CSRT-accredited program.
Individuals who have graduated from a CSRT-accredited anesthesia assistance education program are automatically eligible to challenge the exam, providing their first attempt is made within 18 months of graduation*. This eligibility will be verified by the CSRT through communication with the education programs.
Individuals who graduated from a CSRT-accredited anesthesia assistance education program who were unsuccessful on their first attempt will have their eligibility for subsequent exam attempts verified by the CSRT.
Individuals who do not meet these traditional eligibility criteria may contact the CSRT ([email protected]).
*The graduation date will be that displayed on the candidate’s diploma.
