NIOSH maintains a Pulmonary Function
Testing Course Approval Program. The program consists of an
application submitted by potential sponsors (universities,
hospitals, and private consulting firms) who seek NIOSH approval to
conduct courses, and if approved, notification to NIOSH of any
course or faculty changes during the approval period, which is
limited to five years. Submissions are required for NIOSH to
evaluate a course and determine whether it meets the criteria in
the Standard and whether technicians will be adequately trained as
mandated under the Standard. The estimated annual burden to
respondents is 196 hours.
The average burden per response
in the initial application has decreased from 4 to 3.5. This is due
to the fact that all applications and supporting documentation are
now submitted electronically; some were previously submitted as
hard copies. This reduces the time for preparing the materials for
mailing.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.