The Asthma Educator Specialist (AE-C) credential is a professional certification that recognizes advanced knowledge and competency in asthma education and care coordination.
The AE-C is optional and is not required to work as an asthma educator. It is also not required for membership in the Association of Asthma Educators (AAE). Many asthma educators and AAE members practice effectively without holding this credential.
The AE-C examination is administered by the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC), an independent credentialing organization. NBRC awards the AE-C credential based on nationally recognized competency standards and partners with a national testing agency to deliver the exam at testing centers across the United States.
To sit for the AE-C exam, candidates must meet one of the following eligibility pathways:
Applicants must hold a current, unrestricted U.S. license or credential in a qualifying healthcare or allied health profession, including nursing, respiratory therapy, medicine, pharmacy, and other related disciplines.
Applicants may also qualify by completing at least 1,000 hours of direct patient asthma education, counseling, or care coordination prior to applying for the exam.
AAE does not administer or regulate the AE-C exam. AAE supports asthma educators with and without certification by providing education, professional development, resources, and community—regardless of credentialing status.
