Polysomnographic Technology

Applications for the Fall 2024 Cohort have closed. Applications for Fall 2025 are now available.

Polysomnography includes technologists working directly in sleep labs as well as other health professionals working with sleep patients in dental offices, hospitals, general practice clinics, and various other locations. As an academic leader in sleep health and sleep medicine, Oregon Tech offers programs to help students achieve (or advance) a career in sleep.

Oregon Tech’s Polysomnography program was the first of its kind and continues to lead the way in Polysomnographic education. From 2021 to 2023, 88% of our graduates passed the national board exam, most on their first attempt. Graduates have not struggled to find employment and are well prepared for careers in the growing field of sleep.

Students are trained by highly skilled technologists across the nation. Clinical coursework is completed in a fully-equipped accredited sleep lab in or near the student’s town rather than a typical classroom lab setting.

After obtaining the RPSGT credential, students may also want to consider the Bachelor of Science in Health Care Management.

Polysomnographic Technologists perform and score overnight sleep studies, which lead to identification and treatment of sleep disorders.  The large majority of a polysomnographic technologists and technicians work is completed overnight. Along with sleep studies, work includes much patient interaction and patient education. 

The Polysomnographic Technology program is designed for students preparing to sit for the Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT) examination offered through the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT). While completion of our Polysomnographic Technology certificate program is sufficient to sit for the exam, the AAS may provide a pathway to higher education or career advancement. This AAS is also available to students who are currently RPSGT’s looking for a pathway to higher education or career advancement.

Interested applicants should confirm with their state licensing board’s website that graduation from a CAAHEP accredited certificate program as well as RPSGT status is sufficient to be licensed in their state. Some states, such as New York, require an associate degree as well as RPSGT status, and other states don’t require a license at all.

The Polysomnography program begins each Fall term. Applicants to the Polysomnography program must submit their application by August 26th, and be admitted to the university by September 16th. Late applicants may be considered depending on clinical site availability. 

Certificate and associate degree students all complete the certificate cohort classes first – these courses run from September to June. Attendance is full-time. Associate degree students will continue with their general education coursework following completion of the certificate courses and may do so at a part-time pace if necessary. Returning students who’ve already completed the certificate portion of the program may complete a returning student application for any term. 

Students complete 540 clinical hours (18 credits) at an OIT-affiliated sleep lab or sleep center. The first two terms (fall and winter) are completed on night shift, followed by a term (spring) of mostly day shift hours. Thus, students can expect to spend an average of 18 hours per week at a sleep lab for 30 weeks (three academic terms). Upon admission, the PSG Program Director will inform you of the closest OIT-affiliated clinical site to you. The Program Director will then contact the OIT-affiliated site to ask if they would be willing/able to host you for a rotation. If accepted for rotation, you will begin student onboarding as instructed by the clinical site.

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