(1) Under WAC 246-12-020, an initial credential issued within 90 days of the anesthesiologist assistant's birthday does not expire until the anesthesiologist assistant's next birthday.
(2) An anesthesiologist assistant must renew their license every two years on their birthday. Renewal fees are accepted no sooner than 90 days prior to the expiration date.
(3) Each anesthesiologist assistant shall have four years to meet the continuing medical education requirements as required in this section. The review period begins at the second renewal after initial licensure or second renewal after reactivation of an expired license.
(4) An anesthesiologist assistant must complete 200 hours of continuing education every four years as required in chapter 246-12 WAC, which may be audited for compliance at the discretion of the commission.
(5) In lieu of 200 hours of continuing medical education, the commission will accept:
(a) Current certification with the NCCAA;
(b) Compliance with a continuing maintenance of competency program through NCCAA; or
(c) Other programs approved by the commission.
(6) The commission approves the following categories of creditable continuing medical education as accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) or affiliated education providers. A minimum of 80 credit hours must be earned in Category I.
Category I | Continuing medical education activities with accredited sponsorship through ACCME or recognized affiliated education providers. |
Category II | Continuing medical education activities with nonaccredited sponsorship and other meritorious learning experience. |
(7) The commission adopts the standards approved by the ACCME for the evaluation of continuing medical education requirements in determining the acceptance and category of any continuing medical education experience.
(8) An anesthesiologist assistant does not need prior approval of any continuing medical education. The commission will accept any continuing medical education that reasonably falls within the requirements of this section and relies upon each anesthesiologist assistant's integrity to comply with these requirements.
(9) A continuing medical education sponsor does not need to apply for or expect to receive prior commission approval for a formal continuing medical education program. The continuing medical education category will depend solely upon the accredited status of the organization or institution. The number of hours may be determined by counting the contact hours of instruction and rounding to the nearest quarter hour. The commission relies upon the integrity of the program sponsors to present continuing medical education for the anesthesiologist assistant that constitutes a meritorious learning experience.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.71.017, 18.130.050, 18.71D.020, 18.71D.030, and chapter 18.71D RCW. WSR 25-14-053, s 246-921-125, filed 6/26/25, effective 7/27/25.]