Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants Now Authorized to Practice in Virginia

CHICAGO – Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed into law Senate Bill 882, which authorizes certified anesthesiologist assistants (CAAs) licensure in the state. The law goes into effect on July 1, 2025.

Virginia joins over 20 states that allow both types of nonphysician anesthetists (CAAs and nurse anesthetists) to practice in the physician-led Anesthesia Care Team. The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) and the Virginia Society of Anesthesiologists (VSA) applaud this action, which will make CAA services available to Virginia patients.

“We would like to thank Gov. Youngkin for signing this bill into law and Sen. Mamie E. Locke for introducing the bill,” said Donald E. Arnold, M.D., FACHE, FASA, president of ASA. “This action allows patients in Virginia to benefit from the state-of-the-art care services that CAAs provide. CAAs balance and supplement the perioperative anesthesia workforce and actively contribute to better access, improved service line expansion efforts and preserved quality in patient care. We are very pleased that Gov. Youngkin recognizes these contributions and are hopeful that all states will adopt similar legislation.”

CAAs are trained extensively in the delivery of quality anesthesia care as well as advanced patient monitoring techniques. They work exclusively under the medical direction of physician anesthesiologists to implement anesthesia care plans within the Anesthesia Care Team.

All CAAs possess a pre-medical undergraduate education and complete a comprehensive didactic and clinical graduate school program at the master’s degree level. CAAs are fully recognized by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs system.

“The Virginia Society of Anesthesiologists was proud to advocate for this important step in strengthening Virginia’s health care workforce and expanding patient access to high-quality anesthesia care,” said Casey Dowling, D.O., FASA, president of VSA. “We’re thrilled to welcome these highly trained CAAs into our Anesthesia Care Team Model, enhancing the level of care available to patients across the commonwealth.”

About the American Society of Anesthesiologists
Founded in 1905, the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) is an educational, research and scientific society with more than 59,000 members organized to advance the medical practice of anesthesiology and secure its future. ASA is committed to ensuring anesthesiologists evaluate and supervise the medical care of all patients before, during, and after surgery. ASA members also lead the care of critically ill patients in intensive care units, as well as treat pain in both acute and chronic settings.

For more information on the field of anesthesiology, visit the American Society of Anesthesiologists online at asahq.org. To learn more about how anesthesiologists help ensure patient safety, visit asahq.org/madeforthismoment. Follow ASA on Facebook, X, Instagram, Bluesky, and LinkedIn.

About the Virginia Society of Anesthesiologists
The Virginia Society of Anesthesiologists (VSA) is a nonprofit organization of anesthesiologists committed to raising and maintaining the highest standards in the medical practice of anesthesiology and advancing the quality of patient care across the Commonwealth. With headquarters in Richmond, the VSA advocates for all patients who require anesthesia or relief from pain. We support our members through professional development, advocacy, education, and access to the latest research and scientific knowledge. VSA also promotes collaboration among physician anesthesiologists and care team members to advance safe, high-quality care throughout Virginia. Learn more at vsahq.org or call 804-565-6356. Follow VSA on Instagram, LinkedIn, X and Facebook.

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