The NIOSH spirometry training program has received communications from partners and stakeholders regarding the deadline (Dec 30, 2010) for obtaining spirometry refresher training.  Companies who have been diligent about sending their personnel to our initial training in the past have had difficulties supporting their staff and provide for refresher training.  NIOSH wants to be responsive to the needs of all stakeholders and does not want to penalize the occupational medicine community who values the importance of proper training and your services.  Therefore, the training program has decided to extend the deadline for refresher training to December 31, 2012.  This does NOT affect the grandfathering of people who took their initial training prior to January 1, 2000.

Our office has posted the notice below on the NIOSH web site (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/spirometry/training.html). We will also request the assistance of ATS, ACOEM, and AAOHN in alerting their memberships to this change, as they have graciously done in the past.
New Program Change: Extension of Spirometry Refresher Training Deadline
Technicians whose NIOSH-Approved Spirometry Course certificates are dated January 1, 2000, through December 31, 2007, are eligible to complete a NIOSH-Approved Spirometry Refresher Course by December 31, 2012, to maintain a valid NIOSH-Approved Spirometry Course certificate.
Technicians with NIOSH-Approved Spirometry Course certificates dated prior to January 1, 2000, are not eligible to take a NIOSH-Approved Spirometry Refresher Course.
Effective January 1, 2009, NIOSH changed the time limits on all 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 Previously awarded certificates are no longer valid indefinitely.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 retake the initial Course.