Can Anesthesiologist Assistants Practice in California?
No — CAAs cannot currently practice in California.
California does not currently license CAAs or permit practice through physician delegation. A 2025 licensure bill (AB 985) passed the state Assembly, but the CAA provisions were removed in the Senate before final enactment.
Where CAAs can practice nearby
CAAs cannot practice in California today, but they can in 1 of its 3 neighboring states.
CAA Programs in California
Accredited training options and pathways for applicants from California.
No CAA programs are currently located in California
While California does not have an in-state CAAHEP-accredited program campus, prospective students from California attend accredited master's programs across the United States. Graduates of any accredited program are eligible to sit for the NCCAA board exam and practice in all authorized jurisdictions nationwide.
Compare cohort sizes, tuition, and deadlines across all active campuses.
Check required science, math, and general courses for every campus.
Step-by-step guidance from undergrad prep and shadowing to licensing.
Practice Authority in California
State Context & Regulatory Notes
AB 985 as introduced (2/20/2025) required on-premises anesthesiologist supervision and NCCAA certification. After Assembly passage the Senate repurposed the bill number; CSA says legislative activity is 'currently paused' and it remains committed to CAA licensure. No replacement CAA bill found as of Aug 2026.
Statutory Summary
- Legal Authority
- None — not authorized
- Effective
- —
- Practice Mechanism
- Not authorized
Legislative Activity in California
1 bill on record (1 failed). Enacted and failed bills stay listed as history.
Anesthesiologist Assistant Practice Act (Ahrens; CSA-sponsored)
Passed Assembly 64-1 on 6/3/2025; Senate amendments (6/23/2025) replaced contents with unrelated landfill tax provisions — CAA content dead
Last action: October 1, 2025: Chaptered as unrelated Chiquita Canyon Landfill act (Ch. 174, Stats. 2025)