Polysomnography Registration
Does a Sleep Tech/Polysomnographic Technologist have a license number?
No. Sleep techs are registered, not licensed, by the Board and as such have no license number. The number assigned to a polysomnographic technologist upon initial registration with the Board is a login number for use when registering each year.
Why did the NC Medical Board establish a registry of polysomnographic technologists (commonly referred to as sleep techs)?
On October 1, 2009, The NC General Assembly enacted Article 42 of Chapter 90 of the General Statutes, the Polysomnography Practice Act which required the North Carolina Medical Board to establish a registry of sleep techs. The Polysomnography Practice Act made it unlawful for any unregistered sleep tech to practice polysomnography, represent themselves as someone credentialed to practice polysomnography or use the title “Registered Polysomnographic Technologist.”
Are there any exemptions to the registration requirement?
Yes. Persons who are registered, certified, credentialed or licensed to engage in a profession other than polysomnography or any person working under the supervision of a person who is registered, certified, credentialed or licensed to engage in another profession are not required to register with the Board if: 1) The person is performing work incidental to or within the scope of practice of that profession or occupation and 2) The person does not represent him- or herself as a registered polysomnographic technologist.
In addition, the following individuals are not required to register: 1) Individuals employed by the U.S. government; 2) Persons performing research that monitors physiological parameters during sleep or wakefulness for purposes not related to the practice of clinical medicine; 3) Licensed physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners; and 4) Students actively enrolled in a polysomnography education program, provided the student is working under the direct supervision of a registered polysomnographic technologist and complies with all applicable rules.
How often must sleep techs register with the Board?
Sleep techs must register annually, on or before September 1st.
Does the Board accept paper registration forms?
No. The registration is an online process, which sleep techs will access via the Board’s website. It may be necessary for sleep techs to email, mail or fax certain information to the Board to document their credentials.
Is there a fee to register as a sleep tech?
Yes. The registration fee, which is set by statute, is $50.
What information must be submitted to the Board?
Registrants must provide: 1) Their full legal name; 2) Their complete address and current telephone number; 3) Evidence that they are currently credentialed in good standing by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT.)
What if a sleep tech fails to register?
Under the Polysomnography Practice Act, it is a Class 1 misdemeanor to practice polysomnography without registering with the Board. Failure to register could result in criminal prosecution or a court injunction barring the unregistered sleep tech from practicing.
What constitutes "evidence" that the sleep tech is credentialed in good standing by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT)?
Registrants must attest that they are currently credentialed by the BRPT. The Board will verify the sleep tech’s credentials with the BRPT. If the Board is unable to verify if a registrant is currently credentialed by the BRPT, the sleep tech may be required to provide a copy of his or her certificate.
Will the Board process complaints and investigate possible violations of the Polysomnography Practice Act and/or disciplinary matters?
No. The Board is directed by statute only to maintain the registry. Complaints and investigations of violations of the Polysomnography Practice Act shall be directed to and conducted by the national Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists.
