Frequently asked questions about the 80-Hour Introductory Course
1. What is the 80-Hour Introductory Course?
The 80-Hour Introductory Course is designed for individuals without prior healthcare experience in sleep technology. It serves as the initial step towards fulfilling the education requirement for the BRPT's CPSGT Pathway 3 and RPSGT Pathway 4 under Focused Training.
2. Who is the BRPT?
The Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) is an independent, nonprofit certification board that confers credentialing in sleep technology as either a Certified Polysomnographic Technician (CPSGT) or a Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT).
3. What is the Focused Training Pathway?
The Focused Training Pathway combines 80 hours of classroom education, hands-on practical training, and online self-study modules.
4. Is the 80-Hour Introductory Course offered online?
No, the course includes practical lab demonstration; therefore, it is NOT exclusively held online. The course is only offered by an AASM-accredited A-STEP Introductory Course Provider. Visit https://myastep.aasm.org/DirectoryProviders.aspx to contact an accredited course provider in your area for specific details about their course offerings. Important - Travel may be required if there are no local providers within your area.
5. How much does the course cost?
The average cost of the course is approximately $3,000, as determined by the individual providers.
6. What does the course curriculum cover?
The course curriculum spans 10 days consisting of 80 hours of practical education on the role of a sleep technologist, the history of sleep medicine, and hands-on practical demonstrations to properly set up and perform various patient sleep studies. Additional topics include sleep disorders, EEG and sleep staging, respiratory and cardiovascular monitoring, sleep-related breathing disorders, movement disorders, and more.
7. Is there a final exam for the course?
Yes, the course concludes with an online 80-Hour Introductory Course Final Exam, comprising 106 multiple-choice questions. A passing score of 70% or higher is required, with three attempts allowed. There is a one-time exam fee of $50. The course provider will provide instructions on how to access the exam upon conclusion of the course.
Visit astep.aasm.org for expanded information about the 80-Hour Introductory Course.
For technical support or additional questions, contact the ASTEP helpdesk via chat, email at astep@aasm.org, or by calling 630-737-9770, Monday-Friday, 8 AM to 4:30 PM CST.