NAECB Practice Test
Updated November 2026Facts verified Nov 1, 2026 against National Board for Respiratory Care
NAECB Exam Questions and Answers
The exam has a 67.4% national pass rate, and there are now 3,264 people who hold an AE-C certificate, according to the NAECB. Across the country, there are more than 170 testing locations, many of which are located in tax preparation firms.
Possess a United States license or certificate in one of the following that is current, active, and unrestricted: Doctor (MD, DO).
Prior to submitting an application for the exam, you must have completed a minimum of 1,000 hours of direct patient education, counseling, or service coordination.
An asthma educator is a specialist in teaching those who have the condition—as well as their families—how to manage it and lessen the negative effects it has on their quality of life.
Symptoms that make kids less attentive. Other students and staff are disturbed and distracted when an asthma attack occurs. Asthmatic students occasionally have reduced self-esteem. The amount of time missed in class and absenteeism can have an impact on students’ academic progress.
The average annual salary for an asthma educator in the United States as of February 13, 2026 is $62,168. That comes out to about $29.89 an hour, in case you need a quick pay calculator.
The NAECB has 175 questions and costs $350[1] (National Board for Respiratory Care, verified Oct 29, 2026).
- The NBRC AE-C Examination contains 175 multiple-choice items, of which 150 are scored and 25 are pretest.[1]
- The NBRC AE-C (Certified Asthma Educator) Examination costs $350 for new applicants.[1]
- The NBRC AE-C Examination costs $250 for reapplicants.[1]
- NBRC AE-C candidates may attempt the exam two times, after which they must wait at least 180 days before sitting for it again.[2]
- Each NBRC credential, including the AE-C, is awarded for a term of five years.[3]
- AE-C holders maintain the credential every five years by completing assessments and/or CE, or by retaking and passing the AE-C examination.[3]
- NBRC examinations, including the AE-C, are administered Monday through Saturday at more than 300 assessment centers across the country.[1]
- After the NBRC AE-C exam, the score report is emailed to the address on file with PSI, and candidates who have not received it within 24 hours should contact PSI.[3]
Numbers in brackets link to the official sources listed under Sources & last verified. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
NAECB Exam at a Glance
| Item | Detail | Source · Verified |
|---|---|---|
| Number of questions | 175 multiple-choice questions (150 scored, 25 pretest)[1] | National Board for Respiratory Care · Oct 29, 2026 |
| Exam fee | $350 for new applicants[1] | National Board for Respiratory Care · Oct 29, 2026 |
| Retake fee | $250 for reapplicants[1] | National Board for Respiratory Care · Oct 29, 2026 |
| Retake policy | 2 attempts, then a 180-day wait[2] | National Board for Respiratory Care · Oct 29, 2026 |
| Validity | 5 years[3] | National Board for Respiratory Care · Oct 29, 2026 |
| Renewal | Every 5 years: complete assessments/CE, or retake and pass the AE-C exam[3] | National Board for Respiratory Care · Oct 29, 2026 |
| Delivery | Computer-based at 300+ assessment centers, Monday–Saturday[1] | National Board for Respiratory Care · Oct 29, 2026 |
| Score release | Score report emailed after the exam (contact PSI if not received within 24 hours)[3] | National Board for Respiratory Care · Oct 29, 2026 |
| Registration deadline | No application deadlines[1] | National Board for Respiratory Care · Oct 29, 2026 |
| Testing window | 90 calendar days after application acceptance[2] | National Board for Respiratory Care · Oct 29, 2026 |
What changed for NAECB in 2026
- Oct 29, 2026: Renewal changed to Every 5 years: complete assessments/CE, or retake and pass the AE-C exam (previously Every 5 years via CE/assessments, retaking the AE-C exam, or passing another NBRC exam).[3]
- Oct 29, 2026: Delivery changed to Computer-based at 300+ assessment centers, Monday–Saturday (previously Computer-based at 300+ assessment centers (Monday–Saturday)).[1]
- Oct 29, 2026: Registration deadline changed to No application deadlines (previously No application deadlines; apply any time).[1]
- Oct 29, 2026: Score release changed to Score report emailed after the exam (contact PSI if not received within 24 hours) (previously Emailed within 24 hours).[3]
- Oct 29, 2026: Testing window changed to 90 calendar days after application acceptance (previously 90 calendar days).[2]
- Oct 29, 2026: Retake policy changed to 2 attempts, then a 180-day wait (previously 2 initial attempts, then 180-day wait between attempts).[2]
- Oct 29, 2026: Retake fee changed to $250 for reapplicants (previously $250 per repeat attempt).[1]
- Oct 29, 2026: Number of questions changed to 175 multiple-choice questions (150 scored, 25 pretest) (previously 175 multiple-choice items (150 scored, 25 pretest)).[1]
According to National Board for Respiratory Care, “The AE-C Examination contains 175 multiple-choice items (150 scored and 25 pretest).”[1]
NAECB content outline and where to practise each area
The content areas below are copied from the official NAECB content outline published by National Board for Respiratory Care. The right-hand column shows which of our practice sets covers it.
| Official content area | Practice on this site |
|---|---|
| ASSESSMENT OF AN INDIVIDUAL WITH ASTHMA AND FAMILY[4] | NAECB Patient Assessment Practise taking a history, recognising symptoms and triggers, and interpreting spirometry results to judge how well asthma is controlled. |
| ASTHMA MANAGEMENT[4] | NAECB Medication Management Practise matching controller and reliever medications to situations, checking inhaler technique, and writing or reviewing a self-management plan. |
| ORGANIZATIONAL ISSUES[4] | NAECB Asthma Education Practise how education programs are planned, how patient teaching is documented and evaluated, and how care is coordinated with other providers. |
| THE ASTHMA CONDITION[4] | NAECB Allergy & Asthma Practise the pathophysiology of asthma, common triggers including allergens and exercise, and how asthma differs from other chronic lung disease. |
NAECB Practice Test Questions
Prepare for the NAECB Exam exam with our free practice test modules. Each quiz covers key topics to help you pass on your first try.
NAECB Allergy & Asthma
NAECB Exam Questions covering Allergy & Asthma. Master NAECB Test concepts for certification prep.
NAECB Asthma Medication
Free NAECB Practice Test featuring Asthma Medication. Improve your NAECB Exam score with mock test prep.
NAECB Signs & Symptoms Of Asthma
NAECB Mock Exam on Signs & Symptoms Of Asthma. NAECB Study Guide questions to pass on your first try.
NAECB Asthma Education
NAECB Test Prep for Asthma Education. Practice NAECB Quiz questions and boost your score.
NAECB COPD Management
NAECB Questions and Answers on COPD Management. Free NAECB practice for exam readiness.
NAECB Environmental Control
NAECB Mock Test covering Environmental Control. Online NAECB Test practice with instant feedback.
NAECB Inhaler Technique & Delivery Devices
Free NAECB Quiz on Inhaler Technique & Delivery Devices. NAECB Exam prep questions with detailed explanations.
NAECB Medication Management
NAECB Practice Questions for Medication Management. Build confidence for your NAECB certification exam.
NAECB Immunotherapy & Allergen Management
NAECB Test Online for NAECB Immunotherapy & Allergen Management. Free practice with instant results and feedback.
NAECB Pulmonary Rehabilitation
NAECB Study Material on NAECB Pulmonary Rehabilitation. Prepare effectively with real exam-style questions.
NAECB Patient Assessment
Free NAECB Test covering Patient Assessment. Practice and track your NAECB exam readiness.
NAECB Patient Education
NAECB Exam Questions covering Patient Education. Master NAECB Test concepts for certification prep.
NAECB Self-Management Plans
Free NAECB Practice Test featuring Self-Management Plans. Improve your NAECB Exam score with mock test prep.
Worked examples: how to reason through NAECB questions
These are practice questions written for this site, not questions from the real exam. Each explanation shows why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong.
Example 1
Question: What is the recommended breath-hold duration after inhaling from a metered-dose inhaler?
- 2–3 seconds
- 5–10 seconds
- 15–20 seconds
- No breath-hold is needed
Answer: B. 5–10 seconds
Explanation:
The correct answer is 5–10 seconds. Holding your breath after a puff gives the medication time to settle onto the airway surfaces rather than being breathed straight back out.
Why the others are wrong: 2–3 seconds is too short, so a large share of the dose can leave with the exhaled breath. 15–20 seconds asks for more than most patients can manage, especially children or people who are short of breath, and it adds no clear benefit. Saying no breath-hold is needed ignores the reason the step exists.
Rule to remember: coach a comfortable, steady hold after every puff, and watch the patient do it rather than only asking whether they do.
Example 2
Question: Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) symptoms typically occur:
- Immediately at the start of exercise and resolve during activity
- 5–10 minutes after stopping strenuous exercise
- Only in patients with severe persistent asthma
- Exclusively during cold weather exercise
Answer: B. 5–10 minutes after stopping strenuous exercise
Explanation:
The correct answer is 5–10 minutes after stopping strenuous exercise. Breathing hard dries and cools the airways, and the bronchoconstriction typically follows once the activity ends.
Why the others are wrong: symptoms that start right at the beginning of exercise and resolve during activity describe a different pattern, not the classic delayed response. Limiting EIB to severe persistent asthma is incorrect, because it can occur in people whose asthma is otherwise mild or well controlled. Cold weather makes it worse, but it is not the only setting where it happens.
Rule to remember: ask about symptoms after exercise, not only during it.
Example 3
Question: Which breathing technique taught in pulmonary rehabilitation helps reduce dynamic hyperinflation during exertion?
- Apical breathing
- Pursed-lip breathing
- Paradoxical breathing
- Diaphragmatic suppression
Answer: B. Pursed-lip breathing
Explanation:
The correct answer is pursed-lip breathing. Breathing out slowly through pursed lips creates a small amount of back pressure that keeps the airways open longer, so less air is trapped and the chest does not inflate further with each breath during exertion.
Why the others are wrong: apical breathing uses the upper chest, is inefficient and tends to increase effort. Paradoxical breathing is an abnormal movement pattern, not something taught as a technique. Diaphragmatic suppression is not a recognised rehabilitation method, and it would work against efficient breathing.
Rule to remember: techniques that slow the outbreath help patients with air trapping.
How to use these practice tests
Start with the NBRC exam page and the current candidate handbook. Read the list of content areas and note which ones you could teach to a patient without notes and which you could not. That list is your plan.
Take a short set from each content area to find your baseline, using the practice test for a mixed run. Then spend most of your time on the weakest areas. For the condition itself, use Allergy and Asthma and Signs and Symptoms. For management, work through Medication Management, Inhaler Technique and Self-Management Plans. For assessment, use Spirometry and Patient Assessment.
After each wrong answer, read the explanation, then write the rule in your own words. Return to the same topic a few days later and see whether the rule holds. Because the testing window runs for 90 calendar days after your application is accepted, apply only when you are close to ready, and finish with a full mixed session under quiet, timed conditions.
- ✓Confirm your exam appointment and location
- ✓Bring required identification documents
- ✓Arrive 30 minutes early to check in
- ✓Read each question carefully before answering
- ✓Flag difficult questions and return to them later
- ✓Manage your time — don't spend too long on one question
- ✓Review flagged questions before submitting
- +Validates your knowledge and skills objectively
- +Increases job market competitiveness
- +Provides structured learning goals
- +Networking opportunities with other certified professionals
- −Study materials can be expensive
- −Exam anxiety can affect performance
- −Requires dedicated preparation time
- −Retake fees apply if you don't pass
Pros and Cons at a Glance
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Validates your knowledge and skills objectively | Study materials can be expensive |
| Increases job market competitiveness | Exam anxiety can affect performance |
| Provides structured learning goals | Requires dedicated preparation time |
| Networking opportunities with other certified professionals | Retake fees apply if you don't pass |
Sample NAECB Exam Practice Questions
Try these questions from our free NAECB Exam practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.
Which of the following is an absolute contraindication to initiating allergen immunotherapy?
- A. Mild persistent asthma with controlled symptoms
- B. Severe or uncontrolled asthma (FEV1 < 70% predicted)
- C. History of seasonal allergic rhinitis
- D. Positive skin prick test to grass pollen
Answer: B. Severe or uncontrolled asthma (FEV1 < 70% predicted)
Severe or uncontrolled asthma with FEV1 below 70% predicted is an absolute contraindication because systemic reactions carry higher risk of fatal bronchospasm.
Which indoor plant characteristic is relevant to asthma management?
- A. All houseplants are asthma triggers and should be removed
- B. Overwatered plants can promote mold growth in soil, worsening asthma
- C. Flowering plants indoors are the primary source of indoor pollen
- D. Houseplants always improve air quality enough to reduce medication need
Answer: B. Overwatered plants can promote mold growth in soil, worsening asthma
Overwatered houseplant soil is a common site of mold growth, which can release spores and worsen asthma symptoms.
Which skin test technique is the standard first-line method for diagnosing IgE-mediated allergic sensitization?
- A. Intradermal test
- B. Patch test
- C. Percutaneous (prick) test
- D. Scratch-chamber test
Answer: C. Percutaneous (prick) test
The percutaneous (prick/puncture) test is the standard first-line method for detecting IgE-mediated sensitization due to its safety, speed, and reliability.
In the NAECB exam context, which breathing pattern disorder is characterized by inspiratory stridor and a flattened inspiratory limb on flow-volume loop, often misdiagnosed as asthma?
- A. Paradoxical vocal fold motion (PVFM)
- B. Tracheobronchomalacia
- C. Epiglottitis
- D. Subglottic stenosis
Answer: A. Paradoxical vocal fold motion (PVFM)
Paradoxical vocal fold motion (PVFM), also called vocal cord dysfunction, causes inspiratory stridor and a characteristic flattened inspiratory limb, frequently mimicking asthma.
NAECB Questions and Answers
Sources & last verified
- National Board for Respiratory Care — number of questions, exam fee, retake fee, delivery (official source). “The AE-C Examination contains 175 multiple-choice items (150 scored and 25 pretest).” Verified Oct 29, 2026.
- National Board for Respiratory Care — retake policy, testing window (official source). “After two attempts, the candidate must wait “at least 180 days before sitting for the exam again.”” Verified Oct 29, 2026.
- National Board for Respiratory Care — validity, renewal, score release (official source). “Each credential issued by the NBRC is awarded for a term of five years, calculated from the end of the calendar month in which the…” Verified Oct 29, 2026.
- National Board for Respiratory Care — other (official source). “assessment of an individual with asthma and family” Verified Nov 1, 2026.
How we verify: editorial & fact-checking policy. Report an error: contact us.
How this page was made: written with AI tools and published by Nathan Beja, founder of Practice Test Geeks, who is responsible for its content. Exam facts are checked against the official sources listed below. Not reviewed by a subject-matter expert. Editorial policy
Sources & references
Exam facts on this page (fees, format, dates, passing scores) are checked against these official sources; the date is our last check. Editorial policy
- nbrc.org — Renewal, score release, score validity, retake policy, test dates, test delivery, fees, exam format, registration deadline, retake fee · verified Nov 2026