Overview

The Washington Medical Commission (WMC) licenses and regulates Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants (CAAs) under RCW 18.71 and WAC 246-921. A CAA is a highly trained healthcare professional who works under the direction and supervision of a licensed anesthesiologist to develop and implement anesthesia care plans for patients.

How to apply

Download the Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant application and mail it to the address below along with the application fee.

Please make all payments payable to:
Department of Health
PO Box 1099
Olympia, WA 98507-1099

Application Process

To apply for a Washington CAA license, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Hold a current certification from the National Commission for Certification of Anesthesiologist Assistants (NCCAA).
• Have graduated from an accredited anesthesiologist assistant program.
• Submit official transcripts directly from the educational program.
• Complete a background check through the Washington State Department of Health. Fingerprinting is selected at random; the applicant will be notified via email upon intake of the application
• Verify all professional licenses held in any other state or jurisdiction. The Licensing unit will complete this process; however, additional information may be requested if necessary.
• Submit a completed application form and non-refundable application fee.

Practice Plan and Supervision

Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants may only practice under the direction and supervision of a licensed anesthesiologist as outlined in
WAC 246-921.

Before beginning practice, a practice plan must be established between the supervising anesthesiologist and the CAA. The WMC does not collect or approve practice plans.

For more information about supervision requirements, please refer to WAC 246-921-165.

Reactivation Application

If your Washington CAA license has expired for over two years from the expiration date, you will need to complete the reactivation application. 

Additional Resources

For answers to common questions about CAA licensure and practice, please visit our FAQ Page.

For questions not addressed on our website, please contact:
Washington Medical Commission Licensing Unit
Email: medical.licensing@wmc.wa.gov
Phone: (360) 236-2750