Taiwan Society of Sleep Medicine

Regulations for the Certification of Registered Polysomnographic Technologist

Enacted in December 2004, Approved by the General Assembly on March 19, 2005.

Chapter 1: General Provisions

1. I. The Taiwan Society of Sleep Medicine (hereinafter referred to as "TSSM") establishes these regulations to enhance the development of sleep medicine, provide professional talents for domestic hospitals, and improve the quality of medical services.

Chapter 2: Steps for the Certification of Registered Polysomnographic Technologist

1. I. TSSM shall establish the Sleep Medicine Professional Certification Committee before June 2005.
   • A. Composition: The committee, consisting of no more than seven members, will be selected from the following institutions by the Taiwan Society of Sleep Medicine.
     1. Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Taiwan Society of Sleep Medicine
     2. Directors of the Taiwan Society of Sleep Medicine
     3. Sleep medicine professionals with expertise from universities and relevant research institutions
   • B. The Taiwan Society of Sleep Medicine will appoint a convenor, elected by the committee members, responsible for handling committee affairs and executing committee decisions.
   • C. The term of office for committee members is two years and is renewable, but it is a non-remunerated position.
2. II. Implementation of Educational Training
   • A. TSSM must organize in-service training courses for registered polysomnographic technologist.
   • B. In-service training courses for registered polysomnographic technologist should cover physiology, basic anatomy, sleep medicine, and basic respiratory function.
   • C. Forty hours of training courses, including sleep record interpretation and analysis.
   • D. An examination shall be conducted at the end of the in-service training course for registered polysomnographic technologist.
   • E. In-service technicians must pass the examination conducted by TSSM after completing the training course to receive the certification.
   • F. Those who do not pass the exam must participate in the next in-service training course, and if they still do not pass, they must rejoin the training course.
3. III. Submission of Applications
   • A. To qualify for certification as a registered polysomnographic technologist, the following conditions must be met:
     1. A valid member of TSSM.
     2. Full-time technicians engaged in polysomnography recording for one year or more; (Full-time technicians) continuously engaged in recording and analyzing more than 100 cases per year. Part-time technicians engaged in polysomnography recording for two years or more; (Part-time technicians) engaged in recording and analyzing more than 50 cases per year. Proof of the number of cases should be provided by the supervisor of the service unit and approved by one or more directors of the Taiwan Society of Sleep Medicine.
     3. Complete attendance at TSSM's training course and pass the examination conducted by TSSM after its completion to obtain a certification.
     4. All documents submitted by the applicant must be reviewed and approved by TSSM's Sleep Medicine Professional Certification Committee, after which TSSM will issue a six-year valid certificate for multiple sleep physiology recording specialists, and announce the names of the certified individuals. TSSM may charge a certification fee and a certificate fee for issuing the aforementioned certificate.

Chapter 3: Loss of Qualification for Registered Polysomnographic Technologist

1. I. Loss of membership in TSSM.
2. II. Failure to complete the re-evaluation of qualifications for registered polysomnographic technologist within six years. The loss of qualification requires the majority approval of the Taiwan Society of Sleep Medicine Sleep Medicine Professional Certification Committee.
3. III. Behaviors that violate the purpose of the Taiwan Society of Sleep Medicine, affecting the reputation of TSSM; the loss of qualification requires the unanimous approval of all members of TSSM's Sleep Medicine Professional Certification Committee.

Chapter 4: Re-evaluation of Qualifications for Registered Polysomnographic Technologist

1. I. Registered polysomnographic technologist who have been approved by TSSM's certification must apply for re-evaluation every six years. After review by TSSM's Certification Committee and approval of the qualifications, the validity period of the certificate will be renewed.
2. II. The specialist must continue to engage in polysomnography recording work and submit clear evidence meeting one of the following conditions:
   A. Attend academic activities organized by TSSM or recognized by TSSM and obtain 150 education points or more within six years.
   B. Publish two or more original papers related to sleep medicine within six years, with at least one as the first or corresponding author, and submit printed or photocopied copies of the articles.
   C. Present two or more special reports or paper presentations at the annual meeting within six years.
3. III. The re-evaluation of qualifications for registered polysomnographic technologist is conducted annually.

These regulations, after discussion and approval by the board of directors, will be announced and implemented at the general assembly. Amendments or additions will follow the same process.