Sleep Technologist
Conduct overnight sleep studies to diagnose and treat sleep disorders using specialized monitoring equipment and patient care skills.
| Median Salary | $51,000-$70,000 per year |
| Job Growth (10yr) | +1%Good |
| Education | Associate Degree |
| Time to Start | 2 years |
Work Settings
- •Hospital-based sleep departments
- •Independent sleep clinics
- •Dedicated sleep research centers
- •Home sleep testing service companies
- •Durable medical equipment (DME) providers
Primary Duties
- •Conduct patient intake, explain procedures, and ensure patient comfort before sleep studies
- •Apply electrodes for EEG, EOG, EMG, and ECG monitoring with proper impedance verification
- •Monitor physiological signals throughout overnight studies, including brain activity, breathing, and oxygen levels
- •Score sleep stages and clinical events (apneas, hypopneas, arousals) according to AASM Manual standards
- •Initiate and titrate CPAP/BPAP therapy for patients with sleep-disordered breathing
- •Troubleshoot equipment issues, signal loss, and artifacts during real-time monitoring
- •Educate patients on sleep disorders, PAP mask fitting, and therapy adherence strategies
- •Prepare and manage home sleep apnea testing equipment and analyze HSAT data
How to Become Sleep Technologist
Complete prerequisite education
Obtain high school diploma or GED and complete BLS/CPR certification for healthcare providers
Duration: 24 months
Complete formal education program
Enroll in CAAHEP-accredited certificate (8-12 months) or associate degree program (2 years) with integrated clinical experience
Duration: 24 months
Gain entry-level employment
Secure position as sleep technologist trainee or entry-level technologist in a sleep center
Duration: 24 months
Obtain CPSGT certification (optional)
Prepare for and pass the entry-level Certified Polysomnographic Technician exam after initial clinical experience
Duration: 6 months
Accumulate clinical experience
Complete minimum 960 hours of supervised clinical experience for RPSGT eligibility (if not CAAHEP graduate)
Duration: 18 months
Earn RPSGT credential
Prepare for and pass the Registered Polysomnographic Technologist examination to achieve gold standard certification
Duration: 6 months
Continuing Education
To maintain your RPSGT credential, you must recertify every five years by either retaking the RPSGT examination or accumulating 50 continuing education credits (CECs) through approved activities. You must also maintain current BLS/CPR certification throughout your career. Continuing education opportunities include AASM conferences, webinars, online courses, and specialized training in areas like pediatric sleep studies or advanced PAP therapy techniques.
Certifications & Licenses
- •Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers - Required
- •Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT) - Industry gold standard
- •Certified Polysomnographic Technician (CPSGT) - Entry-level credential
- •Certification in Clinical Sleep Health (CCSH) - Optional for patient education roles
Citations
- Bureau of Labor Statistics - Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians ↗
- Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) ↗
- American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) ↗
- American Association of Sleep Technologists (AAST) ↗
- Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) ↗
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