The West Virginia Asthma Education and Prevention Program (WVAEPP), the West Virginia Asthma Coalition (WVAC), and our partners encourage medical professionals to challenge the national certification examination and become a Certified Asthma Educator (AE-C). The WVAEPP strives for all healthcare providers to improve the quality of care given to those individuals who suffer from asthma. By increasing the number of AE-Cs in West Virginia, the WVAEPP hopes to achieve improved diagnosis, self-management education and treatment, as well as being a resource for those with and working with those who have asthma.

Since 2009, the WVAEPP has been providing asthma educator preparatory courses in West Virginia. To locate a training course near you please contact the WVAEPP staff by calling 304.356.4193.

There is a great need for asthma specialists to educate and treat this chronic lung disease. As of January 2013, there were only 14 Certified Asthma Educators in West Virginia. Click here to find an AE-C near you: www.naecb.org.

What is a Certified Asthma Educator and Why Should I Become One?

A Certified Asthma Educator (AE-C) is an expert in teaching,educating, and counseling individuals with asthma and their families in the knowledge and skills necessary to minimize the impact of asthma on their quality of life. Asthma Educators also have all of the following:

  • possesses comprehensive, current knowledge of asthma pathophysiology and management including the developmental theories, cultural dimensions, the impact of chronic illness, and the principles of teaching-learning. T
  • knowledgeable about objective and subjective evaluations used to diagnose asthma assess its control.
  • capably instructs individuals with asthma on the optimal use of medications and delivery devices particularly explaining technical concepts to individuals in language each can understand.
  • conducts thorough asssessments of individuals and families to identify strengths and resources as well as negative psychological factors, the social and economic impact of asthma, educational needs, and barriers to optimal healthcare and self-management.
  • works with an individual with asthma, his/her family, and other healthcare professionals to develop, implement, monitor, and revise an asthma action plan customized to the individual’s needs, environment, disease severity, and lifestyle to optimize the individual’s self-management skills.
  • monitors asthma education program outcomes and recommends modifications to improve quality of life and effectiveness.
  • serves as a resource to the community by providing information about asthma as well as healthcare and community resource.

Who is Eligible to take the Asthma Educator Certification Exam?

  • Physicians (MD, DO)
  • Physician Assistants (PA)
  • Nurse Practitioners (NP)
  • Nurses (RN, LPN)
  • Respiratory Therapists (RRT, CRT)
  • Pulmonary Function Technologists (CPFT, RPFT)
  • Pharmacists (RPh)
  • Social Workers (CSW)
  • Health Educators (CHES)
  • Occupational Therapists (OT)
  • Physical Therapists (PT)
  • Individuals providing professional asthma education and counseling (minimum of 1000 hours)

What are the benefits of certification?

  • Demonstrates mastery of subject matter
  • Recognition as a nationally certified asthma educator (AE-C)

What organization provides the asthma educator certification?

The National Asthma Educator Certification Board (NAECB) provides this rigorous exam. This voluntary testing program is used to assess quaified health professionals knowledge in asthma education. Certification is voluntary and is not required by law for employment in the field, although some agencies may use AE-C certification as a basis for employment, job promotions, salary increases, or other considerations.

About the Exam

The exam has been made available since September 2002.

The current test as of August 3, 2009 has been based on the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute’s Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of Asthma Expert Panel Report 3 (NHLBI EPR3) view the website at:  www.nhlbi.org

  • 175 questions (25 questions are pre-test)
  • 3 1/2 hours time frame to take exam
  • $295 (new/recerts) or $195 (repeat test)
  • Credential Valid for 7 years

Scheduling the Exam

  • Receive notification of eligibility
  • First come, first serve basis
  • Can reschedule once at no cost

Pre-Testing Review Options and to locate an Asthma Educator Preparation Course – Click on the Links below for more information.

  • Association of Asthma Educators (AAE)
  • American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC)
  • Asthma Education Clinic
  • American Lung Association (ALA)
  • National Respiratory Training Center (NRTC)
  • Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Asthma: National Institute of Health, GINA– The Global Initiative for Asthma
  • Kettering National Seminars
  • Text Books
  • NAECB test matrix
  • NAECB self-assessment exam

To learn more about the NAECB and becoming a certified asthma educator go to www.naecb.org.