A-STEP Introductory Education Program
Accredited Sleep Technologist Education Program (A-STEP) is an alternative, fast-tracked education program that will help you obtain your goal of a career in the field of sleep technology and becoming a certified or registered sleep technologist. Consisting of a combination of hands-on training and self-study at your own pace, A-STEP is nationally recognized as an affordable, entry level education program designed for:
- Anyone who does not currently hold credentials as an: RPSGT, CPSGT, RRT-SDS, or CRT-SDS. (See AASM Accreditation Standard B-10).
- Technicians required to complete an education program to meet current eligibility with:
- BRPT requirements to apply to take either the RPSGT or CPSGT credentialing examinations, and/or
- State medical board licensure requirements to work in the field of sleep technology.
The AASM developed A-STEP with expert educators in the sleep field to provide standardized practical education that includes the:
- 80-Hour Introductory Course – consisting of 80 hours of practical education on the role of a sleep technologist, history of sleep medicine, and hands-on experience to properly set up and perform various patient sleep studies. After this course, learners will have the basic knowledge needed to begin working as sleep trainees.
- Online Self-Study Modules – consisting of a series of interactive self-study learning videos ranging from 45-60 minutes in length followed by a brief set of post-test questions. After the modules, learners will have expanded their knowledge base and the responsibilities needed to perform, interpret, and score a sleep study.
As one of the first steps to achieving your goal of becoming a credentialed sleep technologist, A-STEP equips you with the education needed to meet the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) eligibility requirements to apply to take the Certified Polysomnographic Technician (CPSGT) or the Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT) credentialing examinations
Obtaining Your Credentials
The Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) is the certification board that provides credentialing in sleep technology and grants education provider status as a Sleep Technology Approved Resource (STAR) Program. The BRPT offers various pathways for those obtaining their credentials as either a CPSGT or RPSGT and taking the associated credentialing examinations.
As a STAR-designated program, A-STEP is recognized by and meets the BRPT’s education eligibility requirements for the following two credentialing pathways:
- Focused Training, STAR Code: F017 – FOCUSED
CPSGT Pathway 3 and RPSGT Pathway 4
- A-STEP 80-Hour Introductory Course – each course session is held between 2-8 weeks and taken with an A-STEP Introductory Course Provider,
- Associated 80-Hour Introductory Course Final Exam – to be completed online within one (1) month of completing the 80-Hour Introductory Course, and
- The series of A-STEP Online Self-Study Modules, within three years (36-months) from the date of account registration.
- Clinical Experience, STAR Code: SS002 – SELF-STUDY
CPSGT Pathway 1 and RPSGT Pathway 1
- A-STEP Online Self-Study Modules, within three years (36-months) from the date of account registration.
Review the CPSGT and RPSGT Exam Blueprints to identify the pathways and eligibility requirements that must be completed to apply for and take the BRPT’s credentialing examinations.
| Focused Training Pathway Starts at step 1 | Clinical Experience Pathway Starts at step 3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 80-Hour Introductory Course | 80-Hour Introductory Course Final Exam | Online Self-Study Modules | Gain Clinical Hours | Register for Board Exam |
| This real-world course equips trainees with critical knowledge needed for a successful career as a sleep technician. | The course concludes by obtaining a passing score of 70% or higher on the associated final exam. | A video series of interactive learning components, each of which is followed by a brief set of post-test questions. | Obtain employment at a sleep facility to gain the required clinical experience hours needed to meet the eligibility requirements. | Upon completion of the learning modules and clinical hours, the final step is to apply for the credentialling board exam. |
Focused Training Pathway
Starts at step 1
1
2
80-Hour Introductory course
80-Hour Introductory Course Final Exam
This real-world course equips trainees with critical knowledge needed for a successful career as a sleep technician.
The course concludes by obtaining a padding score od 70% or higher on the associated final exam.
Clinical Experience Pathway
Starts at step 3
3
4
5
Online Self-Study Modules
Gain Clinical Hours
Register for Board Exam
A video series of interactive learning components, each of which is followed by a brief set of post test questions.
Obtain employment at a sleep facility gain the required clinical experience hours needed to meet the eligibility requirements.
Upon completion of the learning modules and clinical hours, the final step is to register and apply for the credentialing board exam.
Focused Training Pathway
Starts at step 1
1
80-Hour Introductory course
This real-world course equips trainees with critical knowledge needed for a successful career as a sleep technician.
2
80-Hour Introductory Course Final Exam
The course concludes by obtaining a padding score od 70% or higher on the associated final exam.
Clinical Experience Pathway
Starts at step 3
3
Online Self-Study Modules
A video series of interactive learning components, each of which is followed by a brief set of post test questions.
4
Gain Clinical Hours
Obtain employment at a sleep facility gain the required clinical experience hours needed to meet the eligibility requirements.
5
Register for Board Exam
Upon completion of the learning modules and clinical hours, the final step is to register and apply for the credentialing board exam.