In 1989, a group of five anesthesiologists, two anesthesiologist assistants and one member of the public formed the National Commission for Certification of Anesthesiologist Assistants (NCCAA). Anesthesiologist Assistants had been in practice for a couple of decades. The need for independent credentialing of anesthesiologist assistants was deemed important to:

1) Ensure the public of the training, knowledge and skill of anesthesiologist assistants.

2) Protect the anesthesiologist assistants in practice by developing and ensuring standards for practice as an anesthesiologist assistant.