Answer: In order to be a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) one must: graduate from a nurse anesthesia educational program accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) or its predecessor; and pass the certification examination administered by the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists or its predecessor. For more information, such as the academic requirements of becoming a CRNA, visit the Qualifications and Capabilities page.
Answer: The Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) maintains a database of the current nurse anesthesia educational programs that are accredited throughout the U.S. You can access and search the database by state here: Accredited Programs.
Answer: Only students who are currently enrolled in an accredited nurse anesthesia educational program may become student members of AANA. Students will be given AANA student membership application forms by their program director in class.