The AANA provides continual review of continuing education courses and programs available to nurse anesthetists. It also maintains attendance records and provides certificates for certified registered nurse anesthetists who attend these courses.
In 1968, the Board of Trustees of the AANA made completion of continuing education a requirement for recertification, in order to ensure a national standard for education among certified registered nurse anesthetists.
A program organizer who seeks to garner accreditation from the department of continuing education must submit a proposal that includes the program's date and location, credits granted, purpose, planning, target audience, learner objectives, content, teaching methods and faculty.
The types of continuing education hours that nurse anesthetists are allowed to take for credit towards their continuing education requirements are: planned educational programs, discussion tours, in-service programs, provider-directed independent study, anesthesia research and anesthesia simulation.
To receive credit for attending a continuing education course, a participant must submit an application to the AANA at least 90 days prior to the program start date.