What Is an Anesthesiologist Assistant?
An Anesthesiologist Assistant is a highly-skilled allied health professional who works under the direction of a licensed anesthesiologist as part of the Anesthesia Care Team (ACT). CAAs perform many of the same clinical tasks as CRNAs — pre-anesthetic assessments, airway management, arterial and central lines, regional anesthesia techniques, and intraoperative anesthetic management.
The key difference from CRNAs: CAAs practice under the medical direction of an anesthesiologist and come from a pre-med educational background (not nursing). They hold a master's degree from a CAAHEP-accredited program and are certified by the NCCAA.
Path to Becoming a CAA
Undergraduate Pre-Med (4 years)
- Bachelor's degree with strong science GPA (3.2+ competitive, 3.5+ preferred)
- Required pre-reqs: Biology (2 semesters), Chemistry (2 semesters + Organic Chemistry), Physics (2 semesters), Biochemistry, Anatomy & Physiology, Statistics
- MCAT or GRE required by most programs (MCAT preferred by many)
- Patient care experience strongly recommended — EMT, scribe, OR tech, shadowing anesthesiologists
- Shadowing a CAA is highly recommended and required by some programs
CAA Master's Program (24-28 months)
- Apply through CASAA (Centralized Application Service for CAAs) at casaa.health
- 20+ CAAHEP-accredited programs across the US (growing rapidly)
- Didactic phase: advanced pharmacology, physiology, pathophysiology, physics of anesthesia, airway management
- Clinical rotations: 2,000+ hours in operating rooms, ICUs, labor & delivery, cardiac, pediatric, trauma
- Master's degree awarded (MMSc, MMS, or MS depending on program)
- Total program cost: $80,000-$160,000 depending on program and residency status
NCCAA Certification
- Pass the NCCAA certifying exam upon graduation
- Earn the CAA (Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant) credential
- Continuing certification: CDQ (Continued Demonstration of Qualifications) exam every 6 years
- 50 CME hours per 2-year cycle: 40 Category I (anesthesia-specific) + 10 Category II
- ACLS and BLS certification must remain current
Career Launch
- Apply for state licensure/authorization in a state that authorizes CAAs
- 24 jurisdictions — Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Ohio, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and more
- Starting salary: $180,000-$220,000 depending on state and practice setting
- Most positions are in hospital-based anesthesiology groups
- Some CAAs also work in office-based anesthesia, pain management, and cardiac surgery
CAAHEP-Accredited Programs
There are 20+ CAAHEP-accredited CAA programs, with new programs opening regularly as demand grows. Here are some of the established programs:
Emory University
Case Western Reserve
Nova Southeastern University
South University
University of Colorado
Indiana University
Quinnipiac University
University of Missouri-Kansas City
Full program list available at caahep.org. New programs are being accredited each year as more states authorize CAA practice.
CAA vs CRNA: An Honest Comparison
Both CAAs and CRNAs provide anesthesia care. Both are well-compensated, highly-skilled professionals. The differences are real but often overstated in online debates.
| Factor | CAA | CRNA |
|---|---|---|
| Education Background | Pre-med bachelor's + master's | BSN (nursing) + doctoral (DNP/DNAP) |
| Program Length | 24-28 months (master's) | 36+ months (doctoral) |
| Certification Body | NCCAA | NBCRNA |
| Recertification | CDQ exam every 6 years | CPC: 100 credits per 4-year cycle |
| Practice Model | Anesthesia Care Team (physician-directed) | Independent or ACT (state-dependent) |
| States Authorized | 24 jurisdictions (23 + DC) | All 50 states + DC |
| Average Salary | $180K-$240K | $220K-$290K |
| Independent Practice | No (requires physician direction) | Yes (in 25+ full practice authority states) |
| AANA Membership | No (separate AAAA organization) | Yes |
| Typical Employer | Hospital anesthesiology groups | Hospitals, surgery centers, groups, independent |
Our position: Both CAAs and CRNAs are essential to solving the anesthesia workforce shortage. The inter-professional debate often overshadows the shared goal of safe patient care. Anesthesia Pro serves both communities with respect and accurate information.
Where CAAs Can Practice
CAAs are currently authorized to practice in 24 jurisdictions (23 states + DC), with new states considering authorization legislation every year. The growth trajectory is strong — the number of CAA-authorizing states has roughly doubled in the last decade.
Established Markets
Georgia, Ohio, Florida, Texas, North Carolina, Colorado, Missouri, Indiana, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, and others. These states have well-established CAA practice with strong job markets and employer familiarity.
Expanding Markets
Several additional states have pending legislation or recently authorized CAA practice. These emerging markets often offer strong compensation to attract early practitioners. Check the AAAA website for the latest state authorization status.
Salary & Compensation
CAA compensation varies significantly by state, practice setting, and experience. Starting salaries typically range from $180,000-$220,000, with experienced CAAs in high-demand markets earning $240,000+.
Salary data from 2025-2026 compensation surveys and job listings. Ranges include base salary; total comp with call pay, benefits, and bonuses is typically 10-20% higher.
Career Outlook
The CAA profession is in a strong growth phase. The combination of an aging population requiring more surgeries, an anesthesiologist shortage, and increasing state authorization creates a favorable market for new graduates.