Certification
Respiratory Educator
The national respiratory educator examinations are administered by the Canadian Network for Respiratory Care (CNRC).
Available exam dates (spring and fall) are announced on the CNRC website. The CNRC learning objectives are reviewed and updated regularly. It is the educator's responsibility to ensure that they are practicing according to current objectives.
Certified Respiratory Educator (CRE) Requirements
If you would like to challenge the CRE examination administered by the CNRC you must successfully complete the following:
Certified Asthma Educator (CAE) Requirements
If you would like to challenge the CAE examination administered by the CNRC you must successfully complete the following:
Recertification is administered by the CNRC. Learn More
Exam Preparation Courses
CRE & CAE prep courses are available for those looking for a review before challenging the examinations. Learn More
Spirometry
Spirometry certification is provided by the Canadian Association of Cardio-Pulmonary Technologists (CACPT). This certification is intended to improve the quality of Spirometry testing not only for those performing Spirometry Testing in a hospital setting, but in any other facility such as doctors' offices, family health teams, and research labs.
Certified Pulmonary Technician in Spirometry (CPT(S)) Requirements
If you are eligible to challenge the National Spirometry Certification exam administered by CACPT you must meet the following criteria:
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Completed a Spirometry course approved by CACPT within the past 36 months.
The RESPTREC Spirometry course is the current approved course by CACPT.
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OR
- Have received at least three months of on the job Spirometry Testing Training. The qualified preceptor must be a physician or RRT or Registered with the CACPT-RCPT(P), or allied health professional who are currently active in Spirometry testing.
- Submitted 10 Spirometry Examples performed by the applicant under the supervision of a qualified preceptor. All examples and supporting data will be evaluated by the CACPT Spirometry Committee.
For more information on eligibility criteria and registration details, visit the CACPT website.
Alberta Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) – Spirometry course requirement
Section 40(2)(d) of the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Code requires a spirogram in a health assessment to be conducted by a pulmonary function technician. The employer shall ensure that spirograms required under Section 40(2)(d) of the Occupational Health and Safety Code are conducted by a person who meets the requirements of this allowance.
This allowance is subject to the following terms and conditions, which are part of this allowance. The person conducting the spirogram:
- has successfully completed the Lung Saskatchewan RESPTREC® Spirometry course
- works with or under the supervision of a physician who is able to interpret any spirometry results obtained, and
- is trained on requirements for health assessments in the OHS Code, Part 4, Section 40
This allowance came into effect May 27, 2025. Please note the RESPTREC Spirometry course provides a downloadable certificate as proof of successful completion. For national spirometry certification, visit the CACPT website.
Access the Alberta OHS website for more information at: Government of Alberta | Alberta.ca