Continuing Education for Healthcare Professionals 

Big Sky Pulmonary Conference

The  BSPC is a continuing education conference for health professionals, which highlights promising methods of preventing and managing respiratory illness and associated risk factors according to evidence-based guidelines. Sessions will be presented by physicians and other health professionals including experts in pediatric and adult pulmonary care. 

The 2025 Big Sky Pulmonary Conference is scheduled for March 6-7, 2025. This year's conference will offer 11 CME credit hours. The conference will be held at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort, a short 15-minute drive from Butte, MT. A full agenda and additional details are available on the conference website. Registration is now open! 

Asthma Webinars 

Register for live upcoming webinars and view recorded sessions on a variety of asthma care and management topics.See our webinar archive page for more information about webinars hosted by the MACP.

Become a Certified Asthma Educator (AE-C)

The Asthma Educator Specialty Examination  is a voluntary testing program  is a multidisciplinary program available for currently licensed or credentialed professionals who have proven their dedication to excellence by earning the AE-C credential. Certification is voluntary and is not required by law for employment in the field, although some agencies may use AE-C® certification as a basis for employment, job promotions, salary increases, or other considerations. The Montana Asthma Control Program supports healthcare providers in Montana who seek the national  certified  asthma educator credential (AE-C) in multiple ways. 

You qualify if:

  1. You are a licensed or credentialed health care professionals OR
  2. You provide professional direct patient asthma education and counseling with a minimum of 1,000 hours experience in these activities.

Montana Support 

Asthma Educator Exam Prep Courses
Though the Asthma Control Program cannot cover the cost of taking the NAECB exam, our program hosts annual continuing education opportunities in partnership with the Association of Asthma Educators. The 1.5 day AAE National Asthma Educator Certification and Re-certification Review Course is held in the spring of even years. The half day "Becoming an Asthma Educator and Care Manager" course is held in the spring of odd years. Healthcare professional interested in these education opportunities are not required to sit for the AE-C exam. 

Asthma Educator Certification/Recertification Review Course
This course assists clinicians in preparing for the Asthma Education Certification (AE-C) examination offered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) and is a general refresher course on asthma care. 12 asthma specific CE credits are included. 

Exam Study Material
The MACP works with libraries across the state to supply  free up-to-date study materials to anyone interested in these materials.   

Books
  • For those who prefer to read a physical book, copies of  The Asthma Educator's Handbook and the  NAECB Exam Secrets Study Guide are available for checkout from several Montana public libraries in the Montana Shared Catalog. If your local public library does not belong to the Montana Shared Catalog, you can ask your local librarian to place an interlibrary loan and the book will be sent to your library for pickup.
  • Access our ebooks anytime and download to your device.  MontanaLibrary2Go is a virtual library available to most Montana residents with an active library card. Or download the app for free  Libby, by Overdrive from the app store. Sign up for a free MontanaLibrary2Go account with your library card in order to check out  The Asthma Educator's Handbook or the  NAECB Exam Secrets Study Guide. These can be either downloaded to your device or can be read in your browser.

Additional Programs Offering AE-C Prep Courses

There are a limited number of national programs that offer preparatory courses for those interested in becoming a Certified Asthma Educator. Click each organization's link to learn how you can prepare yourself to become a Certified Asthma Educator:

American Association for Respiratory Care
American Lung Association
Association of Asthma Educators

Asthma Quarterly Newsletters

If you would like to be included in receiving our  Asthma Quarterly Newsletter, click to subscribe or please contact the program at asthmainfo@mt.gov.