bestcaaprogramsSubscribe
Guide~6 years total

How to Become a CAA

Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants practice anesthesia as part of the anesthesia care team — a fast-growing, competitive path you can start from any bachelor's degree. Here's the route, start to finish, with realistic timelines.

1
Step 1

Earn a bachelor's degree with the prerequisites

CAA programs are open to any major, but you'll need a specific science prerequisite sequence — general and organic chemistry, biochemistry, biology, physics, human anatomy & physiology, plus calculus and statistics. Plan your undergrad around them.
2
Step 2

Take the GRE or MCAT

Most CAA programs require a standardized test — usually the GRE, with several accepting (or preferring) the MCAT. Check each program's requirement, since a few have gone test-optional.
3
Step 3

Get patient-care experience and shadow

Competitive applicants build clinical exposure (scribing, EMT, tech, or research) and — importantly — shadow anesthesiologists and CAAs in the OR to confirm the career and speak to it in interviews.
4
Step 4

Apply through CASAA to accredited programs

Applications run through CASAA (the centralized CAA application service) to CAAHEP-accredited programs. Admission is competitive and interview-based; strong prereq GPA and genuine anesthesia exposure matter most.
5
Step 5

Complete the master's program (~24–28 months)

CAA programs are master's degrees (MSA / MHSA / MMSc, ~2–2.5 years) combining graduate coursework with thousands of hours of supervised clinical anesthesia in the OR.
6
Step 6

Pass the NCCAA certifying examination

After graduating, you sit for the certifying exam administered by the NCCAA. Pass it and you're a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant (CAA), practicing anesthesia as part of the anesthesia care team.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to become a CAA?

About 6 years total: a 4-year bachelor's degree (with the required science prerequisites), then a ~24–28 month master's anesthesiologist assistant program, followed by the NCCAA certifying examination.

Do you have to be a nurse to become a CAA?

No. Unlike the CRNA path, becoming a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant does not require a nursing background — programs are open to any bachelor's degree that includes the prerequisite science coursework (chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, physics, anatomy, physiology, calculus, and statistics).

Where can CAAs practice?

CAAs practice as part of the anesthesia care team in a limited but growing number of U.S. states and jurisdictions (roughly two dozen). Because scope varies, it's worth choosing a program with an eye on where you want to work.

Do CAA programs require the GRE or MCAT?

It varies by program — most require the GRE, several accept or prefer the MCAT, and a few have gone test-optional. Always check each program's current requirement.

How many CAA programs are there?

There are roughly 30 CAAHEP-accredited anesthesiologist assistant programs across about 15 states. This directory lists every accredited program, searchable by state.

What's the difference between a CAA and a CRNA?

Both administer anesthesia on the care team. CAAs come from a master's pathway open to any bachelor's degree and practice in a limited set of states; CRNAs are advanced-practice nurses (RN plus a doctoral nurse anesthesia degree) who can practice in all states.

Next steps

Browse all accredited CAA programs →How to choose the best program for you →Find CAA programs in your state →
Boost CAA

Turn your research into a plan

Build your school shortlist, track deadlines, and get honest fit scoring against every program — free in the Boost CAA app, built by CAAs.

Open Boost CAA