The Certified Polysomnographic Technician (CPSGT) exam is administered by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) for those pursuing certification in the field of clinical sleep disorders.
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CPSGT Eligibility
To be eligible for the exam, you must meet ONE of the following eligibility pathways below:
- Pathway 1: You must have completed a STAR-designated Self-Study education program and have at least 3 months of clinical polysomnography experience
- Pathway 2: You must have completed a STAR-designated Focused education program
- Pathway 3: You must be a graduate of a CAAHEP- or CoARC-accredited polysomnography education program
CPSGT Exam Outline
The CPSGT exam contains 75 multiple-choice questions, 15 of which are unscored, and you will be given a 2-hour time limit. The unscored questions are used by BRPT to evaluate questions for future versions of the exam, and you will not know which questions are unscored while you are taking the exam.
The exam is split into three content domains:
1. Sleep Study Preparation and Performance (45%)
The questions in this domain cover patient information, clinical assessment, procedure preparation, and documenting findings.
Reviewing patient information and performing a clinical assessment (15%-19%)
- Verifying the clinician’s orders and testing indications
- History and physical
- Medications
- Patient interview and orientation
- Questionnaires
Technical preparation for a procedure (22%-26%)
- Equipment
- Supplies
- Montages
- Identification of anatomically appropriate locations
- Site preparation and application
- Impedance verification and calibrations
Following procedures and protocols (30%-33%)
- Adult PSG protocols
- Pediatric PSG protocols
- Daytime testing protocols
- HSAT
Identifying, responding to, and documenting findings (26%-30%)
- Waveform variations
- Artifact
- Equipment malfunction
- Physiologic/clinical events
- Settings
2. Sleep Physiology Recognition and Summary (30%)
The questions in this domain cover physiologic events, calculations, and documentation of observations.
Recognizing physiologic events in adults and pediatrics (67%-78%)
- Sleep stages
- Arousals
- Respiratory events
- Desaturations
- Movements
- Cardiac events
Perform calculations and document observations (22%-33%)
- Formulas
- Technician summary
3. Therapeutic Treatment and Intervention (25%)
The questions in this domain cover CPAP, bilevel therapy, and oxygen therapy.
Administering CPAP and bilevel therapy (80%-93%)
- Titration guidelines
- Acclimation and proper interface fit
- Troubleshooting intolerance
- Explaining the importance of therapy
Oxygen therapy (7%-20%)
- Oxygen guidelines
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CPSGT Exam Registration
To register for the exam, you must first submit an application to BRPT, either online or by mail. Your application must include any necessary proof-of-eligibility documentation and the full $300 examination fee.
Once you have been approved, you will receive a confirmation email that contains your candidate ID and information on how to schedule your exam with Pearson VUE.
Test Day
You should arrive at the testing center about 30 minutes before your scheduled exam time. During check-in, Pearson VUE will collect your signature and photo and verify your ID. They will also use biometric technology to capture a palm-vein image.
You will be asked to leave your personal belongings in a small locker outside the testing room. A calculator will be provided, so there is no need to bring your own.
Once the check-in process is complete, you will be given a short tutorial on the testing system before your exam begins.
How the CPSGT Exam is Scored
Your score for the CPSGT exam is determined by using the Bookmark standard-setting method. This method takes the difficulty levels of each question into account and the fact that each administration of the exam is slightly different.
Your raw score (the number of questions you answered correctly) is converted to a scaled score ranging from 200 to 500. You must achieve a scaled score of at least 350 to pass.
Retaking the CPSGT Exam
If you do not pass the exam, you may reapply to take the exam again. You are only allowed to retake the exam one time.
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FAQs
Q
How many questions are on the CPSGT exam?
A
There are 75 multiple-choice questions on the exam.
Q
How long is the CPSGT exam?
A
The time limit for the exam is 2 hours.
Q
What is the passing score for the CPSGT exam?
A
To pass the exam, you must achieve a scaled score of at least 350.
Q
How much does the CPSGT exam cost?
A
The examination fee is $300.
