The Evolution Of The Leader In Sleep Technologist Credentialing

The year 2024 marked the 45^th anniversary of the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT), and much has been accomplished over the ensuing years, none of which could have been possible without the support, passion, and hours upon hours of volunteer work of so many forward-thinking leaders in our field.

In 1978, a small group of sleep technologists gathered for an organizational meeting led by Peter McGregor, with support from Dr. Elliot Weitzman, a leader in studying sleep and founder of the Institute of Chronobiology in White Plains, NY. Their primary objective was to establish an association that would promote their professional identity and provide opportunities for advancement. This “committee” soon became the Association of Polysomnographic Technologists (APT), setting a clear goal to develop credentialing standards for sleep technologists. The APT was later renamed the American Association of Sleep Technologists (AAST). A year later, in 1979, the American Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (ABRPT) was formed, now known as the BRPT. This separate entity was developed to create the board exam to become registered as a polysomnographic sleep technologist (RPSGT) and to remain separate from the APT/AAST membership association.

McGregor, who was instrumental in the initial development of the RPSGT exam, was one of seven technologists who sat for the first RPSGT exam administered in 1979 at the New York State University Sleep Disorders Laboratory in Stony Brook, NY. These seven technologists became the first RPSGT credential holders, with McGregor earning RPSGT credential #001.

From 1978 to 2000, ten sleep technologists, including Moshe Reitman, Cynthia Mattice, David Franklin, Robin Foster, Andrea Patterson, Greg Landholdt, Gary Hansen, Daniel Herold, Bonnie Robertson, and Cameron Harris, each served a term as chairperson for the APT, thoughtfully driving its efforts forward.

Important BRPT Milestones

While there were many important influencers in the early days of the BRPT, we recently had the opportunity to catch up with a couple of them.

Daniel Herold, RPSGT, was chair of the APT from 1995 through 1997 and served in multiple roles for the BRPT throughout the 1990’s, including as a director, chair, secretary, and treasurer. Herold, who currently serves as a CAAHEP Commissioner and liaison for the BRPT, said: “Getting the RPSGT exam accredited by NCCA was imperative to fend off the many challenges that we faced as practitioners in the technical field of sleep medicine, and it quickly became clear that this accreditation was the gold standard for certification of our exam process.”

“With NCCA accreditation, new programs for the training of new technologists became a reality,” added Herold. “A number of certificate/degree programs were developed and still exist today. With new educational opportunities, the BRPT developed new pathways for candidates to sit for the exam. Multiple pathways meant that different types of training opportunities would make more qualified candidates eligible to sit for the exam, ultimately increasing the number of registered technologists with validated skills – assessed at the highest level of exam competence – employed at understaffed labs and medical facilities.”

Cameron Harris, RPSGT, chair of the APT from 1999-2000 and later became the BRPT’s first President, was also an important leader in continuing the movement for NCCA accreditation.

“In 1999, I had the honor of serving as the first President of the BRPT,” said Harris. He fondly remembers that the first Board included Michele Castonguay, Daniel Herold, Marietta Bibbs, Mary Jones, Bonnie Robertson, and Robert Turner. “Additional nominations for Board members were solicited from AAN, AASM, AARC, ACCP, and ASET. To comply with NCCA requirements, Bill Peters, an attorney/lobbyist and sleep medicine patient, was elected as a public member.”

Under Harris’ leadership, the new Board began work on several fronts, including developing a code of ethics and judiciary processes to establish rules for objective suspension or revocation of the RPSGT credential. In addition, criteria for recertification were established. Said Harris, “During this time, we also worked hard on the process of completing and submitting the application for NCCA accreditation. Although this was not completed during my term, my successor, Marietta Bibbs, brought it to a successful conclusion.”

Understanding the Value of Setting Standards for Quality Assurance in Sleep Education

A strong proponent of establishing a defined curriculum for sleep technologists, Harris was also part of a group established to draft Standards and Guidelines for Accreditation of Educational Programs in Polysomnographic Technology which were adopted in 2005. This group led to the creation of The Committee on Accreditation for Polysomnographic Technologist Education (CoA-PSG). BRPT was a sponsor of CoA-PSG, and Harris was one of their representatives on the Committee from 2005-2011, serving as President from 2007-2009. In addition, Harris served as BRPT Liaison to The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) until 2016.

Herold, who is the current BRPT Commissioner to CAAHEP, explained, “It’s very important to be involved in the certification arena of new and existing educational programs because it maintains our seat at the table, thus ensuring these programs continue to evolve by national standards of educational rules and laws – both federal and state.”

Maintaining The BRPT Exams And Creating New Ones

Becky Appenzeller, RPSGT, R. EEG T., CNIM, CCSH, served as BRPT President from 2008-2009 and spent 13 years leading the BRPT’s Exam Development Committee (EDC). The EDC is comprised of subject matter experts who work year-round to maintain, update, and validate the BRPT exams in accordance with best practices in the credentialing industry. The committee meets a couple of times a year to address a number of tasks, depending on where we are in the lifecycle of an exam. This work ensures the RPSGT exam remains an authoritative assessment tool, reflecting sleep technologists’ contemporary roles and responsibilities.

Appenzeller was also instrumental in developing the CPSGT examination, launched in 2010, as an entry-level exam for candidates new to sleep. In 2010, the BRPT moved forward with creating the Clinical Sleep Educator program and certificate under the leadership of Janice East,  RPSGT, R. EEG T., CCSH and Cindy Altman, RPSGT, R. EEG/EP T., CCSH. At each program, attendees were polled regarding whether a new credential was warranted. Based on the overwhelming responses, an exam development committee was created. In 2014, Appenzeller spearheaded the first offering of the CCSH exam, an advanced-level exam for healthcare providers and educators who work directly with sleep medicine patients, families, and practitioners to coordinate and manage patient care, improve outcomes, educate patients and community, and advocate for the importance of good sleep. This credential was also offered to those without an RPSGT, meeting certain requirements and effectively engaging in other disciplines that did not have a pathway for a sleep-related credential.

“It’s very exciting that the CCSH credential has provided technologists with a path to advance to care practitioners and to take an active role in providing care for patients – not simply aiding a physician in the diagnosis,” said Appenzeller. “With the increase in portable monitoring and AI, I truly believe those who earn the CCSH credential have the biggest opportunity to be at the forefront in the care of patients with sleep disorders.”

The BRPT Today And What Lies Ahead

Today, the BRPT has credentialed more than 26,000 RPSGT credential holders. The non-profit organization is international in scope, and its credentials are recognized in multiple countries around the world.

Other BRPT offerings developed over the years include the Continuing Sleep Technology Education (CSTE) program, through which BRPT facilitates the approval of high-quality continuing education opportunities to meet the professional needs of sleep technologists and other healthcare professionals working in clinical sleep health.

In an effort to better recognize education providers that do not hold CAAHEP or CoARC accreditation, the BRPT created its STAR (Sleep Technology Approved Resource) Program.

Designation as a STAR provider is granted solely for the purpose of establishing candidate eligibility for the RPSGT, CPSGT and CCSH exams. The BRPT has a robust Scholarship Program that awards scholarships for CCSH STAR programs, ASTEP/STAR programs, and CAAHEP-accredited programs.

Most recently, following extensive feedback from BRPT credential holders about the need for a specialty exam for pediatric sleep, the BRPT launched its Pediatric Certificate exam in 2020. Sleep health professionals who pass the BRPT Pediatric Sleep Certificate Exam have demonstrated their skill and knowledge in Pediatric Sleep.

“Advancing the role of the sleep technologist is chief among our goals, both nationally and abroad,” said Amber Allen, BA, RPSGT, RST, CCSH, current BRPT President, “As a well-established credentialing organization, it’s vital for us to stay on top of trends within the field of sleep technology and to ensure our exams continue to represent the gold standard of the profession. It’s paramount to be forward-thinking about the evolution of the sleep technologist and to provide exams that demonstrate the knowledge critical to the profession’s trajectory.”

Added Allen, “Also of great importance is working collaboratively with the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), AAST, and CoA-PSG on initiatives, such as advancing sleep technologist education and addressing the sleep technologist shortage. This is imperative to supporting and growing the profession.”

“I’m very excited about where our profession is right now; with terrific new leaders and perhaps some input from the past, we can continue to push our profession forward with great vigor,” said Herold.

Source: SleepWorld Magazine

By Lydia Pelliccia, BRPT Communications Director