BRPT announcement- translation anyone on what this means to the patient?

August 19, 2009

Dear Colleagues:

Today, the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) is releasing to the professional media important information about changes in the eligibility requirements to sit for the RPSGT exam. I know you share my pride in the strength and integrity of the RPSGT credential. I wanted to reach out to you personally to let you know about these changes, and to give you a sense of how the BRPT Board of Directors reached a decision that the changes announced today are in the best interest of our credential and our field.

Let me begin by summarizing the changes in exam eligibility requirements:

The planned July 1, 2010 requirement that all Pathway #1 -- 18-month experiential -- candidates must complete both the AASM A-STEP Self-Study Online Modules and the AASM A-STEP Introductory Course has been suspended. Pathway #1 candidates will still be required to complete the A-STEP Self-Study Online Modules, (or a BRPT-designated alternate educational program), and to meet all remaining Pathway #1 requirements.
The projected July 1, 2012 requirement that all RPSGT candidates must be graduates of a CAAHEP-accredited program in PSG or an accredited END or RT program with a PSG add-on has been suspended. Graduates of CAAHEP-accredited programs will continue to be eligible to sit for the RPSGT exam immediately upon graduation.
And, we are announcing a new pathway -- Pathway #4 -- to RPSGT exam eligibility. Pathway #4 will be available to candidates who have completed the A-STEP Self-Study Online Modules (or a BRPT-designated alternate educational program) AND the A-STEP Introductory Course, present verification of nine months of paid clinical experience where at least 21 hours per week per calendar year of on-the-job duties performed are polysomnography direct patient recording and/or scoring and meet other eligibility requirements. The new Pathway #4 will be available to candidates beginning with the December 2009 testing window. December applications will be accepted beginning in late September.
It is important to emphasize that the change in the 2010 and 2012 educational requirements for exam eligibility in no way reflects a step way from our commitment as a credentialing body to the development of strong educational pathways to the RPSGT credential. We believe that increased educational opportunities are vital to the continued increase in the level of professionalism in our field. We have, however, taken a very careful look both at the pace of development of A-STEP Introductory Course programs and at the pace of the development and accreditation of CAAHEP programs. We believe we will not have a sufficient number of A-STEP Introductory Course programs available by July 2010, or a sufficient number of CAAHEP-accredited programs available by 2012, to make the current exam eligibility requirements realistic. The requirements, left in place, would make it impossible to continue to meet the demand for RPSGT-certified technologists. We recognize, however, the commitment made by organizations which have developed A-STEP Introductory Courses, the commitment of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, which has accredited those programs, and the commitment of the students who have completed -- and will complete -- those courses. We believe the new Pathway #4 to exam eligibility is completely appropriate.

Further, we support the development of programs that are eligible for CAAHEP accreditation, and continue to urge the A-STEP providers and BRPT-designated alternate educational providers to move their programs toward CAAHEP accreditation, to help our profession reach our goal of standardized education.

The BRPT Board of Directors is committed to the ongoing review of the RPSGT exam and the requirements to sit for the exam to assure that our credentialing program is responsive to the evolving needs -- and realities -- of our profession. Click here for an updated summary of RPSGT exam requirements.

We are committed to communicating in an open and transparent manner with our stakeholders. Your continuing commitment to our profession and your support of the RPSGT credential are appreciated.

Sincerely,


Becky Appenzeller, RPSGT, R. EEG T., CNIM
President
Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists