The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) recently obtained a legislative proposal drafted by the Respiratory Care Board of California (RCB) for the purpose of being introduced as a bill into the California State Assembly.
Although the proposal has not yet been sponsored by a California legislator – a requirement for a bill to be introduced in California – AASM fully expects the RCB to secure a sponsor and introduce the proposal as a bill when the California State Assembly reconvenes on January 7, 2008.

The RCB proposal would require sleep technologists to obtain a license to practice certain sleep services. To obtain licensure, a sleep technologist would be required to fulfill one of the following criteria:

  • Possession of a current license to practice respiratory care in California.
  • Completion of an accredited respiratory care program as prescribed by the board and has an associated degree.
  • Completion of an accredited electroneurodiagnostics program as prescribed by the board and has an associated degree.
  • Completion of a polysomnography educational program prescribed by the board and has an associated degree.
  • Completion of an 18 months or 3,000 hours of full-time paid work experience as an applicant sleep technologist, including 1,000 hours in polysomnography-related respiratory care services as prescribed by the board and satisfactorily performed as verified by a physician or surgeon.

The AASM and American Association of Sleep Technologists (AAST) are closely monitoring the situation in California and addressing the issue. The AASM will keep members apprised as this process develops.

Contact the AASM’s Senior Health Policy and Government Affairs Analyst Ted Thurn at (708) 492-0930 or tthurn@aasm.org with questions and concerns.