BRPT Sees Unprecedented Number of Applications for June RPSGT Exams

McLean, VA - June 30, 2008

The Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) reports a five-fold increase in applications for the June RPSGT exams over the same period last year. The organization attributes this increase in large part to the A-STEP Self-Study (online) modules (or an equivalent program) required for eligibility beginning with the September testing window.

With the impending change in requirements, BRPT expected -- and planned for -- a significant surge in applicants, but the organization could not have predicted the surge reaching the level it did.

“The good news is that more sleep techs taking the test means more RPSGTs to fill what has become a shortage within the growing field of sleep medicine,” said John Ganoe, BRPT Executive Director. “The down-side is that the record-breaking number of applications has made it virtually impossible for us to provide the level of personal assistance we strive to achieve for our applicants, particularly those who submitted applications that were incomplete – and we regret that deeply.”

The increased volume of candidates has also stretched the capacity of BRPT’s testing partner, Pearson VUE. When the window closes on June 28, Pearson VUE will have tested 25% more candidates than the maximum allowed in their current contract with the BRPT. Pearson VUE has worked aggressively to seat as many candidates as possible. In addition to the demands created by the size of the candidate pool, Pearson VUE also responded to the challenges posed by extensive flooding in the Midwest such as closed testing facilities and difficulty in traveling to testing sites. A large number of these candidates were rescheduled – no easy feat at the height of the testing season – and gas credit cards were provided for candidates forced by flooding to travel a substantial distance to test.

BRPT estimates that as many as 350 to 400 additional approved candidates will not be able to secure a testing slot in the current window, simply because capacity has been exhausted. BRPT is reaching out to those candidates and scheduling them into the September testing window, opening on September 15th.

Another pool of about 400 aspiring RPSGT candidates submitted incomplete applications and have had their applications returned for re-submission for a future testing window. Although returning incomplete applications has long been BRPT policy and is clearly stated on the application, in the past, BRPT staff has often been able to work closely with candidates who submitted incomplete applications to facilitate the process. Unfortunately, the sheer number of correctly completed applications that had to be processed made that outreach impossible. Candidates with incomplete applications will be required to complete the A-STEP Self-Study (online) Modules, or an equivalent program, to be eligible to sit for a future exam.

According to Ganoe, the great majority of the incomplete applications were submitted at the end of the application window; nearly 1000 applications were received in the two business days bracketing the May 19th submission deadline. Common reasons for an application being considered incomplete include failure to include a name on the application, provide original documentation, respond to all questions, indicate chosen eligibility pathway, include an up-to-date BCLS card, or submit verification of employment.

In the coming weeks, BRPT will be reaching out individually to June candidates to acknowledge the challenges many of them experienced in applying during this extraordinary testing window. A Board task force will be working with executive director, John Ganoe to thoroughly review the application process at every stage to determine where improvements can be made. The organization is committed to making appropriate changes to provide the highest quality of service and interaction for applicants and certificants.

Among the methods to help candidates complete their applications successfully in the future, the BRPT is exploring the idea of an informational webinar for applicants prior to each testing window, as well as posting information on their web site at www.brpt.org outlining the most common mistakes applicants make when applying.

Details about the RPSGT examination, a free downloadable Candidate Handbook and eligibility requirements, A-STEP, study tips and more are all available at www.brpt.org. A-STEP Self-Study (online) Modules, or an equivalent program, are only an eligibility requirement for 6 month and 18 month experiential candidates, not for graduates of a CAAHEP program.

There are more than 12,000 registered polysomnographic technologists (RPSGTs) worldwide today and those in the field of sleep medicine hope that number will grow rapidly to meet the burgeoning interest in polysomnography and the increasing number of patients seeking quality, professional sleep studies.

The Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) is an independent, nonprofit certification board that cultivates the highest professional and ethical standards for polysomnographic technologists by providing an internationally recognized credential – the Registered Polysomnographic Technologist. A growing certificant base includes RPSGTs in the United States, Canada, China, Japan and Australia. For more information, visit www.brpt.org.