Changes to NIOSH spirometry training program

Effective January 1, 2009, NIOSH has changed the time limits on all NIOSH-Approvedn Pulmonary Function technician certificates to 5 years from the course date. Previously awarded certificates are no longer valid indefinitely. Individuals who choose to have a valid NIOSH certificate must either take a NIOSH-Approved Spirometry Refresher Course before the certificate is invalidated or they must retake the initial Course.

NIOSH-Approved Spirometry Refresher Courses will be offered only to students who have successfully completed the full NIOSH-Approved Spirometry Training Course. Prior to enrollment in a NIOSH-Approved Spirometry Refresher Course, students must demonstrate eligibility by providing a copy of a valid NIOSH-Approved Spirometry Training certificate. If a certificate is lost or misplaced, the student must obtain a duplicate copy from their course sponsor, since NIOSH does not maintain a roster of student names or copies of their course certificates.

Student eligibility for the NIOSH-Approved Spirometry
Refresher Course

1. NIOSH-Approved Technicians with certificates dated prior to 1/1/2000, are not eligible to take a NIOSH-Approved Refresher Course (they must repeat initial course).

2. NIOSH-Approved Technicians with certificates dated 1/1/2000 - 12/31/2005, must complete a NIOSH-Approved
Refresher Course (or repeat the initial Course) by 12/31/2010.

3. NIOSH-Approved Technicians with certificates dated 1/1/2006 or later must successfully complete a NIOSH-Approved Refresher Course (or repeat the initial Course) within 5 years of the date of their course to maintain a valid NIOSH-Approved Spirometry Course certificate.