Application requirements
An individual applying for licensure to practice polysomnography must:
- Meet the requirements of OAR 331 division 30.
- Submit a completed application form prescribed by the Health Licensing Office and accompanied by payment of the required application and license fees.
- Submit fingerprint-based national criminal background check (more information).
- Be at least 18 years of age and provide official documentation confirming date of birth, such as a copy of the birth certificate, driver's license, passport or military/government identification.
- Submit proof of having a high school diploma or the equivalent.
- Provide documentation of qualification through one of the following pathways below:
Licensure Pathways
Pathway One: Academic Degree
An applicant under pathway one must:
- Submit official transcripts showing successful completion of an Associate's degree in polysomnography, polysomnographic technology, or sleep technology from an accredited community college, college or university, or successful completion of a polysomnography course of study from a Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredited institution.
- In addition to an official transcript defined under OAR 331-705-0050, an applicant who has obtained education through a CAAHEP-accredited institution must submit a statement, signed by the Registrar or a Dean of a college or university and sent directly to the HLO from that college or university, verifying the applicant has successfully completed a polysomnography course of study.
- Submit satisfactory evidence of passage of the BRPT Registered Polysomnographic Technologist examination within one year preceding the date of application. Examination results must be submitted to the HLO directly from the examination provider. Examination results or other documentation provided directly by the applicant are not acceptable.
- Submit examination fees.
- Complete and pass Oregon Laws and Rules examination for polysomnography within two years preceding the date of application.
Pathway Two: Polysomnographic Technologist Temporary Licensee
An applicant under pathway two must:
- Submit documentation of completion of the training and work experience requirements for Polysomnographic Technologist Temporary-DS Licensure, Temporary-IS Licensure, or both (please see below), including verification by an approved supervisor and certification of successful completion and satisfactory performance by a qualified medical director for polysomnography, on forms provided by the HLO.
- Submit satisfactory evidence of passage of the BRPT Registered Polysomnographic Technologist examination, or the NBRC Sleep Disorder Specialist examination within two years preceding the date of application. Examination results must be submitted to the HLO directly from the examination provider; examination results provided directly by the applicant are not acceptable.
- Submit examination fees.
- Complete and pass Oregon Laws and Rules examination for polysomnography within two years preceding the date of application.
Pathway Three: Reciprocity
An applicant under pathway three must:
- Submit an Affidavit of Licensure from every state where the applicant has been licensed as a polysomnographic technologist, including an affidavit of licensure demonstrating proof of a current polysomnographic technologist license from another state, obtained through qualifications substantially equivalent to Oregon's requirements, including passage of the BRPT examination.
- At least one of the applicant's out-of-state licenses must be active and all of the applicant's out-of-state licenses must not be subject to current or pending disciplinary action, and must be free from disciplinary history for three years preceding the date of application for Oregon polysomnographic licensure.
Pathway Four: Endorsement
An applicant may qualify for licensure by endorsement if the applicant holds a qualifying professional credential in another field. An applicant for licensure by endorsement must:
- Submit an Affidavit of Licensure demonstrating proof of a current license, which is active with no current or pending disciplinary action, and no disciplinary history for the three years preceding the date of application for Oregon polysomnographic licensure, as a:
- Physician (Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathy, or
- Respiratory therapist with the RSPGT credential from the BRPT, or
- CRT or RRT who holds a Sleep Disorder Specialty credential through National Board for Respiratory Care.
- Complete and pass the Oregon Laws and Rules examination for polysomnography within two years before the date of application.
Pathway Five: BRPT Credential
An applicant may qualify for licensure by completion of education and training program required and approved by the BRPT as of March 1, 2013.
An applicant for licensure through BRPT must:
- Submit proof of successful passage of the RPSGT exam provided by the BRPT:
- After completing a combined education and training program required and approved by the BRPT as of March 1, 2013; or
- Before the BRPT required an individual to complete a combined education and training program in order to take the exam, and has since met the education and training requirements established by the BRPT as of March 1, 2013;
- Submit exam fees;
- Submit evidence of having passed the Board-approved exam listed under OAR 331-712-0010(2) within two years before the date of application; and
- Submit licensing fees.
Note: For the purpose of pathway five, "education" includes a self-study education program approved by the BRPT as of March 1, 2013.
Combined education, training and examination results must be submitted to the HLO directly from the BRPT; examination results or other documentation provided directly by the applicant are not acceptable.
A copy of the
BRPT RPSGT Candidate Handbook is available at the Health Licensing Office.
Oregon Laws & Rules Exam
The Oregon Laws and Rules examination for polysomnography is conducted at the Health Licensing Office (HLO) in Salem. Examination candidates may walk in and sit for the examination during regular HLO office hours.
Please be sure to bring two types of government-issued photographic identification with you to sit for the examination. They must feature your current legal name.
Polysomnographic Technologist Oregon Laws and Rules Examination Information Bulletin
State-prepared examination retake requirements
To provide a standardized process for all regulated professions when applicants for licensure fail state-prepared written qualifying examinations for licensure, the Health Licensing Office has established the following requirements:
- After first failed attempt, applicant may not retake until the office's next business day
- After second failed attempt, applicant may not retake until the office's next business day
- After third failed attempt, applicant may not retake until the office's next business day
- After fourth failed attempt, applicant may not retake for seven calendar days
- After fifth failed attempt, applicant may not retake for seven calendar days
- After sixth failed attempt, applicant may not retake for seven calendar days
- After seventh failed attempt, ability to retake, requirements for retake, or both, will be determined by the office or appropriate board or council on a case-by-case basis
This requirement does not apply to professions that have their own examination retake requirements.
Temporary licensure: direct supervision (DS)
A polysomnographic technologist Temporary-DS license authorizes the holder to temporarily practice polysomnography under direct supervision by an approved supervisor, pending passage of board approved examinations.
Direct supervision is supervision of the Temporary-DS licensee by an approved supervisor who is physically present with the Temporary-DS licensee while the Temporary-DS licensee is working, and who exercises direction and control over the Temporary-DS licensee's work.
A polysomnographic technologist Temporary-DS license holder must notify the HLO within 10 calendar days of changes in employment status and changes in supervisor.
A polysomnographic technologist Temporary-DS license is valid for six months and may not be renewed.
Application requirements
An applicant for a polysomnographic technologist Temporary-DS license must:
- Meet the requirements of OAR 331 division 30.
- Submit a completed application form prescribed by the Health Licensing Office and accompanied by payment of the required application and license fees.
- Submit fingerprint-based national criminal background check (more information).
- Be at least 18 years of age and provide official documentation confirming date of birth, such as a copy of the birth certificate, driver's license, passport or military/government identification.
- Submit proof of having a high school diploma or the equivalent.
- Provide official transcripts showing completion of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) Accredited Sleep Technologist Education Program (A-STEP) Introductory Course.
- Submit information identifying the applicant's approved supervisor, on a form prescribed by the HLO.
Temporary licensure: indirect supervision (IS)
- A polysomnographic technologist Temporary-IS license authorizes the holder to temporarily practice polysomnography under indirect supervision by an approved supervisor, after successfully completing Temporary-DS licensure.
- Indirect supervision is supervision of the Temporary-IS licensee by an approved supervisor who is physically present and onsite, but may not be immediately accessible at the sleep facility when the Temporary-IS licensee is working, who reasonably oversees the work of the Temporary-IS licensee, and who is available for questions and assistance when needed.
- A polysomnographic technologist Temporary-IS license holder must notify the HLO within 10 calendar days of changes in employment status and changes in supervisor.
- A polysomnographic technologist Temporary-IS license obtained under OAR 331-710-0090(6)(a) of this rule is valid for one year and may be renewed once.
- A polysomnographic technologist Temporary-IS license obtained under OAR 331-710-0090(6)(b) of this rule is valid for one year and may not be renewed.
- A Temporary-IS licensee is prohibited from performing services on persons 12 and under.
- A polysomnographic technologist temporary-IS license is invalid after passage of all required written examinations listed under OAR 331-712-0010 for a full polysomnographic technologist license under OAR 331-710-0040.
Application requirements
An applicant for Temporary IS license must meet qualifications outlined in OAR 331-710-0090(6)(a) or (6)(b) as follows:
Temporary Licensee-DS
- Submit documentation of successful completion of 30 sleep tests as a polysomnographic technologist Temporary-DS licensee, which includes the signatures of an approved supervisor and certification by a qualified medical director for polysomnography of successful completion of 30 sleep studies and satisfactory performance;
- Submit examination fees;
- Complete and pass the Oregon Laws and Rules examination for polysomnography within two years before the date of registration application;
- Submit information identifying the applicant's approved supervisor on a form prescribed by the HLO; and
- Submit appropriate licensing fees.
Academic degree
- Submit a statement, signed by the Registrar or a Dean of a college or university and sent directly to the HLO from that college or university, verifying the applicant has completed all work necessary to obtain an associate's degree in polysomnography, polysomnographic technology, or sleep technology from an accredited community college, college or university, or successful completion of a polysomnography course of study from a CAAHEP accredited institution;
- Submit examination fees;
- Complete and pass the Oregon Laws and Rules examination for polysomnography within two years before the date of registration application;
- Submit information identifying the applicant's approved supervisor on a form prescribed by the HLO; and
- Submit appropriate licensing fees.
Temporary licensee supervision
To be approved as a supervisor of a polysomnographic temporary licensee, an individual must:
- Hold a valid Oregon polysomnographic technologist license or provide proof of being a qualified medical director for polysomnography
- Have been actively practicing for at least the three years immediately preceding application for approval as a supervisor; and
- Not have been subject to disciplinary action or a civil penalty imposed by the HLO or other regulatory body.
Prior to supervising a temporary polysomnographic technologist, the supervisor must complete all forms prescribed by the HLO. A polysomnography supervisor shall not supervise a temporary licensee until a Supervision Agreement and a Declaration of Responsibility have been completed and submitted to the HLO.
When supervising a Temporary-DS Licensee, a supervisor may supervise only one temporary polysomnographic technologist per shift.
When supervising a Temporary-IS Licensee, a supervisor may supervise up to two Temporary-IS licensees per shift.
An approved supervisor must notify the HLO in writing within five calendar days if a temporary polysomnographic technologist licensee is no longer being supervised, and must provide the number of hours of training and work experience completed on a form prescribed by the HLO.
A designated supervisor shall exercise management, guidance, and control over the activities of the temporary polysomnographic technologist and shall exercise professional judgment and be responsible for all matters relative to the polysomnography.
Approval of a temporary polysomnographic technologist's training and work experience must be documented by the handwritten signature of the approved supervisor, the supervisor's license number, and date of supervisor's review, placed beside the temporary polysomnographic technologist's signature, on a form prescribed by the HLO.
An approved supervisor's authorization may be withdrawn for providing incomplete or inadequate training or falsifying documentation.
Forms