RATIONALE: In this abstract we describe the need, development, and evaluation of a national examination to document excellence in asthma education through the Certified Asthma Educator process.METHODS: The National Asthma Educator Certification Board (NAECB) was incorporated in February 2000 following a Stakeholder Consensus Conference held in Washington, D.C. in January 1999 to develop a voluntary asthma educator certification examination consistent with the needs of a diverse set of asthma educator service providers; and to document excellence in asthma education and self-management based on the NAEPP Expert Panel Reports (EPR) published in 1991, 1997, and 2007. Comprehensive Asthma Educator Job Tasks Surveys were completed in 2001 and again in 2008 to develop and to update a comprehensive content outline for the construction of relevant, reliable, and valid test items based on current, scientifically sound concepts of disease management (i.e., asthma pathophysiology, patient and family assessment, asthma management, and program outcomes).RESULTS: There are currently 2,792 certified asthma educators; most test-takers (75%) include nursing professionals and respiratory therapists. Lifetime pass rates for first-time test takers is 67.8%, a value lower than that for pass rates for the CRT examination (75% in 2008), the CHES examination (79.2% in 2008), and the ANP examination (90.2% in 2007). Nationally, reimbursement for asthma education is limited in some cases to those who demonstrate the Certified Asthma Educator (AE-C) credential.CONCLUSIONS: AE-Cs are recognized for their knowledge of asthma management and control through successful completion of a rigorous, evidence-based examination that matches health care workforce tasks and expert recommendations. RATIONALE: In this abstract we describe the need, development, and evaluation of a national examination to document excellence in asthma education through the Certified Asthma Educator process. METHODS: The National Asthma Educator Certification Board (NAECB) was incorporated in February 2000 following a Stakeholder Consensus Conference held in Washington, D.C. in January 1999 to develop a voluntary asthma educator certification examination consistent with the needs of a diverse set of asthma educator service providers; and to document excellence in asthma education and self-management based on the NAEPP Expert Panel Reports (EPR) published in 1991, 1997, and 2007. Comprehensive Asthma Educator Job Tasks Surveys were completed in 2001 and again in 2008 to develop and to update a comprehensive content outline for the construction of relevant, reliable, and valid test items based on current, scientifically sound concepts of disease management (i.e., asthma pathophysiology, patient and family assessment, asthma management, and program outcomes). RESULTS: There are currently 2,792 certified asthma educators; most test-takers (75%) include nursing professionals and respiratory therapists. Lifetime pass rates for first-time test takers is 67.8%, a value lower than that for pass rates for the CRT examination (75% in 2008), the CHES examination (79.2% in 2008), and the ANP examination (90.2% in 2007). Nationally, reimbursement for asthma education is limited in some cases to those who demonstrate the Certified Asthma Educator (AE-C) credential. CONCLUSIONS: AE-Cs are recognized for their knowledge of asthma management and control through successful completion of a rigorous, evidence-based examination that matches health care workforce tasks and expert recommendations.