To date, 1,250 Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (RPSGTs) have applied for equivalency status to obtain certification from the American Board of Sleep Medicine (ABSM) as a Registered Sleep Technologist (RST).

All practicing sleep technologists who have passed the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) examination prior to

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December 31, 2011, and are RPSGTs in good standing are eligible to apply to the ABSM for RST equivalency status. This process gives RPSGTs an opportunity to obtain the new RST certificate without taking the ABSM Sleep Technologist Registry Examination, which will be offered for the first time on November 11, 2011.

“Sleep technologists play an important role in the evaluation and follow-up care of patients with sleep disorders,” said ABSM President Nathaniel F. Watson, MD. “The encouraging response from RPSGTs affirms the value of the ABSM’s new registry exam and RST credential, which will promote professional excellence and dedication to the highest standards of patient care.”

Watson’s remarks drew criticism from the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT). “We strongly disagree with ABSM President Dr. Nathaniel Watson’s statement that the number of RPSGTs who have opted into RST equivalency ‘…affirms the value of the ABSM’s new registry exam and the RST credential…’ It is not possible to ‘affirm the value’ of a credential for which no exam has yet been given, reviewed for reliability and validity, and validated by an independent third party,” according to a statement from the BRPT.

A roster of individuals who have obtained the RST certificate and complete details about the ABSM Sleep Technologist Registry Examination and the RST credential are available on the ABSM Web site.