About Certification As An
Asthma Educator through NEACB
Certification Update November 2006
The National Asthma Educator Certification Board (www.naecb.org) has accomplished what many said was impossible—a national certification for Asthma Educators! The test went on-line September 19, 2002 and as of November 2006, 1,596 individuals have successfully become certified with a 68% pass rate.
Individuals who have taken and passed the test are allowed to use the designation AE-C. Anyone using these initials without passing the NAECB test are at risk of being barred from taking the test in the future. The Association of Asthma Educators would like to compile a list of members who have earned the designation AE-C. Please notify us if you have passed the test so that we can publish your name on our website.
Applied Management Professionals (AMP) has been hired by the NAECB to administer the exam. They have produced a test handbook, which explains the test process, outlines areas covered by test questions, and helps the candidate to prepare for the test. Tests are administered at H&R Block offices across the country and scheduled during the week at a variety of times. Tests are administered on a computer and scoring will be done by AMP. The cost of the test is $275 and certification will be valid for 7 years. Requirements for sitting for the exam have been established by the Board.
Individuals may be admitted to the examination based on either of the two following qualifications:
- The following currently licensed or credentialed health care professionals may be admitted to the examination:
Physicians (MD, DO)
Physician Assistants (PA-C)
Nurses (RN, LPN)
Respiratory Therapists (RRT, CRT)
Pulmonary Function Technologists (CPFT, RPFT)
Pharmacists (RPh)
Social Workers (CSW)
Health Educator (CHES)
- Individuals providing asthma education, counseling or coordinating services with a minimum of 1000 hours experience in these activities.
Reimbursement
Beginning in 2006, CPT codes were approved for asthma coordination/counseling, as done by an asthma educator. The submission for codes by the NAECB was the first step in obtaining third party reimbursement for asthma education. For the latest information on reimbursement for your state or local area, asthma diagnosis codes, medication guidelines, medicare guidelines, and much more, visit the NAECB's comprehensive reimbursement coding website at www.naecb.org/cbr.