Certified anesthesiologist assistants are gaining momentum as more states expand licensure and health systems adopt team-based anesthesia models.
Here are five things to know:
1. More states are granting licensure: Tennessee approved CAA licensure in May, joining 23 states and the District of Columbia that recognize the role. Virginia also authorized CAA practice earlier this year, while California lawmakers introduced a bill requiring anesthesiologist presence when CAAs deliver care.
2. Expansion aims to improve access in underserved areas: Expanding CAAs’ role helps address anesthesia shortages in rural and underserved communities. With hospitals struggling to recruit anesthesiologists, CAAs supervised by anesthesiologists are seen as a way to maintain surgical capacity and avoid service cutbacks.
3. Hybrid care teams are becoming more common: Hospitals and ASCs are increasingly turning to hybrid models that combine anesthesiologists, certified registered nurse anesthetistss and CAAs to maintain coverage. Nearly 30% of anesthesiologists are projected to leave the workforce by 2033, making diversified teams a necessity for sustaining surgical volumes and patient access.
4. ASC leaders see CAAs as part of the solution: Expanding CAA licensure could help relieve anesthesia staffing shortages and reduce scheduling disruptions. Integrating CAAs under anesthesiologist supervision is viewed as a way to reinforce patient safety while providing more consistent coverage in ASCs.
5. Training programs and salaries are growing: Kansas City University (Mo.) will launch a master’s program for CAAs in January 2026, while Lipscomb University is preparing to open its own program in Tennessee. Additionally, CAAs in top-paying states such as New Mexico and South Carolina can now earn more than $280,000 annually, reflecting rising demand.
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