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.
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.
