No Recertification Exam for CRNA?

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I have read that CRNA need to recertified every 2 years, but they don't take any kind of exam. On the other hand, AA, who I have read do work very much similar to CRNA, have to take an exam every 6 years. Why this difference?

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Specializes in CRNA, Finally retired.
I have read that CRNA need to recertified every 2 years, but they don't take any kind of exam. On the other hand, AA, who I have read do work very much similar to CRNA, have to take an exam every 6 years. Why this difference?

Probably because CRNA's have been around for 100 years and the AANA has rather stringent requirements re: number of times certification exam can be taken, number of hours or classes required for recertification and state requirements for nurses to be able to renew their licenses every two years. The AA's don't have any license before they become AA's or a professional organization that's been around about 70 years and has a long history of enforcing safety standards.

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the AA is governed by the board of medicine, they really lack to jerk their lackeys around as much as possible, not not until 2009 are anesthesiologists required to re certify, hell thousands still practice without taking boards.

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I have read that CRNA need to recertified every 2 years, but they don't take any kind of exam. On the other hand, AA, who I have read do work very much similar to CRNA, have to take an exam every 6 years. Why this difference?

Very good question, one that subee and stanman sidestepped nicely.

Neither of them has been a CRNA for 100 years, and the fact that nurse anesthetists have been around that long has nothing to do with the currently practicing CRNA.

Your original statement is correct. AA's are required to take a recertification exam every 6th year to maintain certification, as well as complete a minimum of 40 CME hours every two years. Anesthesiologists who completed residency in 2000 or later are all in a 10-year ongoing recertification process which includes CME's and a recertification exam. CRNA's, once passing their initial certification exam, are only required to submit 40 hours of CEU's every two years to maintain their certification, and thus remain the only one of the three types of anesthesia providers without a recertification exam of any type required for ongoing certification or licensure.

And just like there are still some anesthesiologists in practice who are not board certified, there are many thousands of CRNA's in practice who hold no degree of any type, only a hospital nursing diploma (not a degree) and a nurse anesthesia certificate (again, not a degree).

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Hello: I have heard that the CRNA board certification exam format has changed this year? The test is including filling the blank as well as multiple answer questions? I have been studying Valley Review material but the new format is making me nervous? Any guidance. Thank you

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