CAA Advocacy

CAA Advocacy Center

Anesthesiologist Assistants are authorized to practice in 24 jurisdictions and growing. This is the resource for tracking authorization status, supporting expansion campaigns, and engaging with state-level advocacy.

Authorized jurisdictions

States in active discussion

3,000+

Practicing CAAs nationally

55+

Years since first state authorization

Where CAAs are authorized

23 states + DC. Last reviewed: April 2026. Verify current status with AAAA and AANA before relying on this list for legislative work.

States in active discussion

Snapshot of where authorization conversations are happening. Status changes often — get the current bill numbers from AAAA before contacting legislators.

Tennessee

Legislative interest

Periodic activity. Coordinate with AAAA for current bill status.

Pennsylvania

Discussion phase

Stakeholder engagement; no active bill at last update.

Maryland

Discussion phase

Workforce shortage discussions include CAA scope expansion.

Supporting CAA authorization

Use these talking points in conversations with hospital administrators, employers, and legislators.

CAAs expand workforce capacity in care-team practice settings

CAAs are masters-trained anesthesia providers practicing exclusively under medical direction within the anesthesia care team model. They expand the available anesthesia workforce without changing existing CRNA scope.

CAA training is rigorous and standardized

All CAA programs are CAAHEP-accredited (typically 24-28 months of graduate education). Certification requires passing the NCCAA exam. Recertification is a 50-hour CE cycle every 2 years (40 Category I + 10 Category II).

CAA authorization does not displace CRNAs

CAAs and CRNAs serve different practice models. CAAs work in care-team settings under medical direction; CRNAs frequently work independently. State authorization simply allows the care-team model to function with both provider types.

Workforce shortages are real

HRSA designates dozens of anesthesia-shortage areas across states with no CAA authorization. Authorizing CAAs gives those facilities an additional staffing option.

National organizations

Where to plug in for federal-level coordination.

AAAA

American Academy of Anesthesiologist Assistants

Federal advocacy, state expansion strategy, member resources, and the legislative tracker.

NCCAA

National Commission for Certification of Anesthesiologist Assistants

Certification body. Recertification, CE cycles, exam content, and credential verification.

ASA

American Society of Anesthesiologists

Physician anesthesiologist society. Strong supporter of the anesthesia care team and CAA expansion. Coordinates with AAAA on shared advocacy.

CAAHEP

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs

Accrediting body for CAA programs. Use to verify program accreditation status before enrollment.

Practicing or hoping to practice in a non-authorized state?

Connect with AAAA. They coordinate state expansion campaigns including stakeholder outreach, model legislation, and testimony preparation.

anesthetist.org

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