Council on Recertification

Online Recertification is Now Available until July 31st!!!

Introduction

Every day, in health care facilities all across this country, nurse anesthetists have responsibility for the lives and health of patients to whom anesthesia is administered. In order to discharge this important responsibility, nurse anesthetists must develop specialized knowledge and sophisticated skills. They must also keep up with rapidly evolving scientific and technological advances. Finally, they must be free of any impairments which may prevent them from administering anesthesia professionally.

Through the recertification process, the Council on Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists seeks to advance the quality of nurse anesthesia care provided to patients. Specifically, it endeavors to make sure that nurse anesthetists are maintaining their skills and keeping current with scientific and technological developments. It also strives to assure that appropriate limitations are placed on those who are known to have developed conditions that might adversely affect their ability to practice nurse anesthesia.

The Council has set forth objective criteria designed to determine whether an individual certified registered nurse anesthetist is properly licensed, has engaged in the practice required to maintain an adequate level of skill, has obtained continuing education credit sufficient to indicate an effort to keep current with advances, and has avoided mental, physical and other problems which could interfere with the practice of nurse anesthesia.

A nurse anesthetist who has satisfied the Council’s objective criteria receives recertification for a period of two years. Recertification, of course, is not and cannot be a guarantee of competence to perform all nurse anesthesia procedures. Full recertification is, however, an indication that the recertified nurse anesthetist has maintained a current license to practice, has exercised his or her skills, has participated in approved continuing education activities and is not known to have developed any impairment that could interfere with the administration of anesthesia.

Purposes

The purposes of the Council on Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists are to:

1. Recertify qualified Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists on a biennial basis.

2. Formulate and adopt criteria for eligibility for recertification of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists based upon current licensure, maintenance of practice skills, participation in approved continuing education activities and other recognized activities conducive to professional proficiency, and freedom from known mental or physical impairments which may prevent the professional practice of nurse anesthesia. The practice of nurse anesthesia may include clinical practice and nurse anesthesia-related administrative, educational, and research activities.

3. Formulate and adopt criteria for approval of continuing education programs and offerings.

4. Develop and maintain mechanisms to provide for a hearing and appellate review for individuals who have received adverse decisions related to recertification.

5. Develop and maintain a mechanism for the investigation and final resolution of charges or other allegations against individuals currently holding recertification by the Council.

6. Make recommendations to the Board of Directors, Councils, and Committees of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) in conformity with stated purposes.