diff --git a/runtimepy/channel/environment/base.py b/runtimepy/channel/environment/base.py
index ec18ab4a..48d80ada 100644
--- a/runtimepy/channel/environment/base.py
+++ b/runtimepy/channel/environment/base.py
@@ -236,3 +236,14 @@ def __eq__(self, other) -> bool:
         return bool(
             self.channels == other.channels and self.enums == other.enums
         )
+
+    def age_ns(self, key: _RegistryKey) -> int:
+        """Get the age of an entity based on registry key."""
+
+        chan = self.get(key)
+        if chan is not None:
+            prim = chan[0].raw
+        else:
+            prim = self.fields[key].raw
+
+        return prim.age_ns()
diff --git a/tests/channel/environment/test_create.py b/tests/channel/environment/test_create.py
index 058a077f..a9aa9e17 100644
--- a/tests/channel/environment/test_create.py
+++ b/tests/channel/environment/test_create.py
@@ -22,6 +22,8 @@ def test_channel_environment_create_basic():
     result = env.channel("sample_channel", "bool", enum=enum)
     assert result
 
+    assert env.age_ns("sample_channel")
+
     name = "test_field"
     underlying = Uint8()
 
@@ -38,6 +40,7 @@ def test_channel_environment_create_basic():
 
     assert proc.command("set test_field true")
     assert underlying.value == 1
+    assert env.age_ns("test_field")
 
     assert proc.command("set test_field false")
     assert underlying.value == 0