The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) helps sleep technology technicians enhance their professional education through the Accredited Sleep Technologist Education Program (A-STEP) Self-Study Modules.

In order to better aid trainees as they study for the exam, the AASM is excited to provide four new A-STEP Self-Study Modules covering all you need to know about scoring. Each of the four new modules includes over sixty slides. They are extensively illustrated and include self-assessment tools. The new material goes into further detail than the Scoring Sleep Stages module currently offered.

Currently, the four new modules are not required in order to sit for the BRPT exam. Pathway 1 candidates will continue to be required to complete only the 14 original A-STEP Self-Study Modules we have offered since 2007. View the module topics.

The AASM A-STEP Self-Study Modules confirm that technicians have a comprehensive understanding of the fundamentals of sleep technology.

This overview provides more details about the modules:

Who completes the modules?

• Sleep technology trainees who have passed the AASM A-STEP Introductory Course
• Beginning on July 1, 2008, candidates for the Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT) Exam who are following BRPT Pathway #1 (18-months of PSG experience)
• Beginning on July 1, 2009, all unregistered technologists at AASM accredited facilities regardless of other credentials.

How does it work?

• Students who have not completed the AASM A-STEP Introductory Course pay a non-refundable $50 registration fee to be able to access the online system.
• The student completes 14 online, educational modules through the A-STEP Web page. These modules cover topics that were introduced in the AASM A-STEP Introductory Course.
• Trainees following BRPT Pathway #1 will complete the modules while they finish their 18-months of supervised clinical experience required to become eligible to take the RPSGT Exam. Health-care professionals following BRPT Pathway #2 are not required to complete the modules in order to qualify for the RPSGT Exam.
• Students who have completed the AASM A-STEP Introductory Course pay $30 per module. Other students pay $40 per module. This payment is required when the student first accesses each module till charges are non-refundable.
• Each module takes approximately 45 minutes to 90 minutes to complete.
• At the end of each module the student must pass a short examination before proceeding to the next module. The student may take the exam as many times as is necessary to earn a grade of 70 percent or higher.
• Students have as many opportunities as necessary to review the presentation and take the exam. Once you successfully complete the short exam (achieve a passing score of 70% or higher) at the end of the presentation, you will not be able to view the module again. In order to get the most out of each module, students are recommended to take their time with the educational presentations and take notes.
• After completing all of the self-study modules, students who meet the eligibility criteria set by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) can take the next step toward becoming a sleep technologist by applying to take the RPSGT Exam.
• The AASM will maintain certification records that show the sleep technology technician’s completion of the AASM A-STEP Self-Study Modules. This information will be made available for the technician to give to future employers. The AASM will provide PDF transcripts to students for a $20 charge.

Self-Study-Module Topics
View a list of the topics covered by the 14 online, educational modules.

Register for the AASM A-STEP Self-Study Modules
Register to begin taking the online AASM A-STEP Self-Study Modules.

Contact the AASM national office for more information about the AASM A-STEP Self-Study Modules.