Colorado created the anesthesiologist assistant license in 2012, and licensing began in July 2013. This page covers what a CAA is, what Colorado law requires of a supervising anesthesiologist, how the work is billed, and the steps to bring CAAs into your department.
CAAs are advanced practice providers who work under the direction of a licensed anesthesiologist to develop and implement anesthesia care plans. They practice exclusively within the Anesthesia Care Team.
A CAA completes a premedical education and a master's degree from an accredited anesthesia program, typically 24 to 28 months. Training is extensive in the delivery and maintenance of quality anesthesia care, advanced patient monitoring techniques, life support systems and patient assessment.
CAAs are dedicated to the Anesthesia Care Team concept as defined by the American Society of Anesthesiologists, and work exclusively within that environment. Delegation stays at the discretion of the anesthesiologist, within Colorado regulation and your own credentialing rules.
Certification is granted by the National Commission for Certification of Anesthesiologist Assistants, whose examination is administered with the National Board of Medical Examiners. The certificate is time limited: 50 hours of continuing medical education registered every two years, and the Continued Demonstration of Qualifications examination in year four after initial certification, then every ten years.
The COAAA strongly supports the Anesthesia Care Team approach in anesthesia management. We believe the interests of patient safety are best served with an anesthesiologist's involvement in the delivery of every anesthetic, and that anesthesiologists are most qualified in making anesthesia related perioperative medical decisions. Delegation of anesthesia care to CAAs is at the discretion of the anesthesiologist, in accordance with established state regulations and local credentialing guidelines.
COAAA position on the Anesthesia Care TeamColorado licenses anesthesiologist assistants through the Colorado Medical Board. The points below are the ones that most often decide how a department is staffed.
Anesthesia delivered by a CAA within the care team is reported to Medicare with the medical direction modifiers below. Because CAAs practice under the direction of an anesthesiologist, every case is billed as medically directed.
Descriptors above follow the American Society of Anesthesiologists, citing the Medicare Claims Processing Manual, chapter 12. Commercial payer policies vary, so confirm the specifics with your billing office before you model the economics.
Verify the candidate's Colorado anesthesiologist assistant license through the Division of Professions and Occupations.
Decide your concurrency and coverage plan within the four-to-one limit, and name the supervising anesthesiologists.
Work the candidate through your medical staff office using the integration guide below, which covers privileging and documentation.
COAAA can help with credentialing questions and with reaching CAAs looking for work in Colorado. Contact us.
We can help with credentialing questions, supervision planning, and putting your posting in front of CAAs practicing here.
Contact COAAAThis page is general information for employers, not legal or billing advice. Confirm current requirements with the Colorado Medical Board and your own counsel and billing office. Sources: Colorado Medical Board rule 3 CCR 713-1.16, version effective 15 July 2026; C.R.S. 12-240-107 and 12-240-112; Colorado House Bill 12-1332 as enrolled; National Commission for Certification of Anesthesiologist Assistants; American Academy of Anesthesiologist Assistants; American Society of Anesthesiologists, Anesthesia Payment Basics, codes and modifiers. Accessed 18 September 2026.