While all anesthesiologist assistants must complete rigorous education programs, not all of them are Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants (CCAs). Licensure for CCAs is handled by each state and is regulated by each board of medicine. A CCA licensure allows an anesthesiologist assistant to practice more autonomously. Alternatively, for anesthesiologist assistants who are not certified, they must work under a physician anesthesiologist, using delegatory authority. Under delegatory authority, the anesthesiologist assistant is permitted to administer patient care, but the physician remains accountable for the patient but tasks are delegated to the assistant. By asking this question, the interviewer is attempting to determine how the candidate would fit into their personnel structure and to successfully answer this question, the candidate should provide an honest answer about their certification status, and if they are not certified, whether or not they plan on becoming certified in the future.

"Yes, I am a Certified Anesthesiologist Assitant. I set a goal early in my career to become a CAA, and while it was a lot of hard work, it was very worth it. Because I am a CAA, I am able to do more things on my own Compared to my colleagues who are not certified, and I am able to make clinical decisions using my own knowledge rather than having to depend on a physician. Because my certification is recognized by the state board of medicine, I get to work much more independently, which is something I enjoy."