The Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) launched its Sleep Technology Approved Resource (STAR) Program and made changes to the RPSGT and CPSGT exam eligibility requirements.
BRPT has been reviewing and approving alternative education programs for exam eligibility for several years; these programs will now receive the STAR designation. The STAR designation does not apply to CAAHEP or CoARC accredited education programs, but to education programs that are alternatives to the CAAHEP or CoARC accredited education. The new STAR program replaces the previous alternative program approval process, which was a function of the BRPT’s Education Advisory Committee. STAR programs fall into one or more of the following categories: Self-Study, Focused, and Focused 2.
“The BRPT has been a long-time proponent of formal education for sleep technologists,” said BRPT President, Cindy Altman, RPSGT, R.EEG/EP T. “Unfortunately, the great majority of technologists entering the field today still do so through on-the-job training and on-line self-study. The BRPT developed the STAR program to better recognize the alternative education programs it approves for exam eligibility, and to clarify education requirements for exam pathways.”
At its March Board meeting, the BRPT Board of Directors approved changes to the RPSGT and CPSGT exam eligibility pathways, effective April 1, 2012. The RPSGT changes primarily involve incorporation of the new STAR education designations into the on-the-job training pathways. The paid clinical experience requirement for on-the-job training candidates was retained for the RPSGT exam but it was removed from the CPSGT exam requirement. Two new pathways were added for the CPSGT exam—Pathway 2 for CAAHEP/CoARC students and Pathway 3 for candidates who have completed STAR-designated Focused education or a combination of Self-Study and Focused 2 education.
“The BRPT Board of Directors evaluated several requests for additional CPSGT exam pathways, in particular a student pathway and recognition of other education providers for CPSGT exam eligibility,” Altman said. “We’re pleased with the addition of these two pathways to CPSGT exam eligibility and are confident this change will have a positive impact on the field.” Previously, the CPSGT exam was linked exclusively to the A-STEP online self-study modules.
