Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants Authorized to Practice in Tennessee

CHICAGO – Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed House Bill 979 into law, May 21, 2025, which authorizes certified anesthesiologist assistants (CAAs) licensure in the state. 

Tennessee becomes the 23^rd state, in addition to Washington, D.C., and the U.S. territory of Guam, that allows 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 Tennessee Society of Anesthesiologists (TSA) applaud this action, which will make CAA services available to Tennessee patients.

“We would like to thank Gov. Lee for signing this bill into law,” said Donald E. Arnold, M.D., FACHE, FASA, president of ASA. “This new law allows patients in Tennessee to benefit from the state-of-the-art care that CAAs provide. CAAs balance and supplement the anesthesia workforce and contribute to better access, improved service line expansion efforts and preserved quality in patient care. We are very pleased that Gov. Lee recognizes the benefit of adding CAAs to the team and are hopeful 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 anesthesiologists to implement anesthesia care plans.

All CAAs have a pre-medical undergraduate education and complete a comprehensive didactic and clinical graduate school program. CAAs are also recognized by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs system.

“The Tennessee Society of Anesthesiologists was proud to advocate for this important addition to strengthening Tennessee’s health care workforce and expanding patient access to high-quality anesthesia care,” said Blas Catalani, M.D., MPH, FASA, president of TSA. “We’re thrilled to welcome these highly trained CAAs to our Anesthesia Care Team model, enhancing the level of care available to patients across the state.”

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 Tennessee Society of Anesthesiologists
The Tennessee Society of Anesthesiologists is a physician organization, representing anesthesiologists in Tennessee. TSA is dedicated to promoting the highest standards of the profession of anesthesiology and committed to providing the greatest patient safety. The physician anesthesiologists in Tennessee have served as advocates for patient safety for decades.

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