Nationwide, the field of sleep health is growing rapidly.

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 the field of sleep health & sleep medicine, Oregon Tech offers programs to help students achieve (or advance) a career in the field of sleep.

About the online Polysomnography Technology Program

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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.

 


Year

Positive Placement Outcome

Status within 12 Months of Graduation

202066.67%6 of 9 employed
202177.78%7 of 9 graduates employed
202277.787 of 9 graduates employed


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.

Degrees offered within the polysomnographic technologies program...
Associate of Applied ScienceCertificate

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.

Program Start

The Polysomnography program begins each Fall term. Applicants to the Polysomnography program must submit their application by August 20th, and be admitted to the university by September 10th. Late applicants may be considered depending on clinical site availability. Use the American Academy of Sleep Medicine's listing of accredited labs to confirm a sleep lab is in your area. You cannot begin the program without an appropriate clinical site.

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. 

Clinical Details

Students complete 540 clinical hours (18 credits) at an accredited sleep lab. The first 360 of these hours are typically completed on night shift, followed by 180 hours on day shift. Students can expect to spend 18 hours per week at a sleep lab for 30 weeks (or 27 hours per week for 20 weeks).

Use the American Academy of Sleep Medicine’s listing of accredited labs to locate sleep labs in your area. Upon admission to the program, you will send your top two sleep lab choices to the program director using the Polysomnographic Technology Clinical Site form. Each of the clinics should be within a reasonable distance from your home so that you can complete your scheduled hours. 

Occasionally, a site is unable to contract with us. Unfortunately, you cannot enroll in the program if an appropriate facility is not secured. (This is rare in most areas.) Students can enter the program fall term only. It can take a few months to secure a clinical contract, please factor this into your plan.

Who is Eligible?

Applicants to this program must apply for fall term entry and meet Oregon Tech's admission criteria. Admitted students should have a valid BLS or CPR card and access to current immunization records.

A criminal background check must be completed prior to clinical placement.  We will review your results electronically.  Go to www.castlebranch.com.

  • Click "Place Order" at the top of the page.
  • If you live in Oregon, enter package code RG52.
  • If you live outside Oregon, enter package code RG52OS.

AAS
Certificate

Additional Resources

Accreditation

Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

Oregon Institute of Technology is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. NWCCU is an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education and/or the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education.

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs

The Polysomnographic Technology program* is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP – www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Polysomnography (CoPSG).

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
25400 US Highway 19 N., Suite 158
Clearwater, FL 33763
727-210-2350
www.caahep.org
*Please note that only the PSG Certificate program is CAAHEP accredited; not the PSG AAS degree.