a. Audiometric tests must be performed by a licensed or certified audiologist, otolaryngologist, physician, or a certified audiometric technician. Tests can be performed by a technician who is certified by the Council of Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation, or who has satisfactorily demonstrated competence in administering audiometric examinations, obtaining valid audiograms, and properly using, maintaining, and calibrating audiometers. A technician who performs audiometric tests must be responsible to an audiologist, otolaryngologist, or physician. b. Pulmonary Function Tests must be performed by a technician who is certified in compliance with National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) or its designee. Such certification will include the completion of approximately 16 hours of formal instructions with the following components: 1) At least four (4) hours of formal lectures and/or audio visual material. 2) At least eight (8) hours of small group practical instruction. 3) At least two (2) hours per student devoted to evaluation and testing of the student's spirometry testing skills. Evaluation consists of a written and a practical examination. 4) At least 2 additional hours of lecture, practical instruction, or testing at the course director's discretion. The course completed will include: 5) Basic physiology of the forced vital capacity maneuver and the determinants of airflow limitation with emphasis on the relation to repeatability of results. 6) Instrumentation requirements including calibration check procedures and sources of error and their correction. 7) Performance of testing including subject coaching recognition of improperly performed maneuvers, and corrective actions
