Virginia § 54.1-2957.23 - Licensure of anesthesiologist assistants

§ 54.1-2957.23. Licensure of anesthesiologist assistants

A. As used in this section, "anesthesiologist" means a physician who is licensed by the Board and who has completed a residency in anesthesiology approved by the American Board of Anesthesiology or the American Osteopathic Board of Anesthesiology.

B. No person shall use or assume the title "anesthesiologist assistant" or hold himself out as an anesthesiologist assistant unless such person holds a license as an anesthesiologist assistant issued by the Board. Nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting any professional licensed, certified, or registered by a health regulatory board from acting within the scope of his profession.

C. The Board shall establish criteria for licensure as an anesthesiologist assistant that shall include the following:

1. Successful completion of an anesthesiologist assistant program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs or its predecessor or successor organizations; and

2. Passage of the certifying examination administered by the National Commission for Certification of Anesthesiologist Assistants or other examination required by the Board.

D. Pending the outcome of the next examination described in subdivision C 2, the Board may grant a provisional license to a graduate of an anesthesiologist assistant program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs or its predecessor or successor organizations.

E. Nothing in this section shall prohibit a student anesthesiologist assistant who is enrolled in an anesthesiologist assistant program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs or its predecessor or successor organizations from engaging in acts that would constitute practice as an anesthesiologist assistant as part of such program.

F. An anesthesiologist assistant licensed pursuant to this section shall practice within the scope of his clinical and professional training and the limits of his knowledge and experience and under the supervision of an anesthesiologist.

G. The Board shall adopt regulations governing the practice of anesthesiologist assistants, including regulations for (i) application for and issuance of a license or renewal of a license, (ii) standards of practice for licensed anesthesiologist assistants, and (iii) requirements for supervision of anesthesiologist assistants by anesthesiologists.

2025, c. 507.