AAR Frequently Asked Questions

Organizations, and their affiliated Analysts, involved in performing fiber counts of air samples on the job site or in a laboratory that wishes to demonstrate and ensure that they have sound quality practices should be a part of this program. The AAR maintains minimum standards of conduct for the quality control procedures and practices of fiber-counting operations. The AAR's Asbestos Analysts Testing (AAT) proficiency program is one of the largest statistically valid airborne fiber-counting quality control programs in the world. All enrolled analysts must maintain proficiency in the AAT program to meet all requirements for registration.

People who require qualified fiber counters to analyze their asbestos-containing fiber in air samples. View the AAR Directory of Registered Organizations and Analysts.

The Industrial Hygiene Proficiency Analytical Testing (IHP​AT) for Asbestos, operated by the AIHA Proficiency Analytical Testing Programs, is a proficiency testing program designed for laboratory participation. The laboratory submits data, which determines the proficiency testing performance of the laboratory. The performance report demonstrates the proficiency status of the laboratory. For additional information on the IHPAT program, please visit the AIHA Proficiency Analytical Testing Programs' website.

The Asbestos Analysts Testing (AAT) program is a proficiency testing program designed to demonstrate the proficiency status of the individual analysts enrolled with an AAR Registered organization. Only Analysts enrolled in the AAR program can participate in the AAT program. Each enrolled analyst submits AAT data, which determines the proficiency testing performance of the individual analyst. The performance report shows the organization's proficiency status and registration status of all enrolled analysts.

The samples provided by the IHPAT and AAT programs are generated by our vendor using the same method. However, the IHPAT samples are analyzed by an individual analyst representing the laboratory, and the AAT samples are apportioned among the individual enrolled analysts for individual analysis of the sample.

A Registered Analyst in the AAR Program has met all the following requirements of the program and maintains its status through successful participation in the AAT program. An organization’s analysts’ current registration and proficiency status can always be demonstrated by its most recent AAT Performance Results Report (you must contact the organization directly to review their AAT reports). Registered Analysts and organizations can be found on the AAR Directory.

Registration Requirements:

• A Registered Analyst's affiliated organization is Registered; the organization has submitted an application that has been reviewed and approved by meeting all the requirements of the most current AAR Policy.
• The analyst has submitted an application that has been reviewed and approved by meeting all the requirements of the most current AAR Policy, demonstrating compliance with the quality control procedures of the NIOSH 7400 method.
• The analyst has completed two (2) consecutive rounds of the Asbestos Analysts Testing (AAT) proficiency program with no greater than 2 outliers in the two rounds.

The fees for participation and enrollment in the AAR program can be found in the AAR Program Fee Schedule.

If you need assistance determining the correct fees, please contact us.

Download the AAR Policy and the AAR Program Fee Schedule. The AAR Policy outlines the quality system requirements, participation policies, and AAR's registration process. The organization enrollment form must be completed to start the process, then an online application will be completed. Enrollment for the organization and analysts must be completed before application materials are submitted. Analysts can't be enrolled in the program without an affiliated organization. Follow the application guidance and assemble the required documentation. An initial organization must pay the Initial Application and Filing Fee, the Annual AAR Fee, the Enrollment Fee (per analyst), the Annual Fee (per analyst), and the Asbestos Analysts Testing Fee for the rounds of the year (1 set must be purchased for every 5 analysts enrolled) upon enrollment; subsequent years the annual and AAT fees are invoiced in January.

The approval process for the organization takes approximately three months after the receipt of the organization's application at the AIHA Registry Programs. However, this time can be longer depending upon the completeness of the application information submitted by the organization to AIHA Registry Programs and if the application materials meet the program's technical requirements.

It is strongly recommended that an organization not apply unless a complete application can be submitted.

An analyst must be affiliated with an AAR organization to apply; refer to the AAR Policy for the definition of affiliation. See "How does an organization apply for the AAR" to enroll as an analyst with a new organization.

Enrollment: The analyst or organization must enroll a new analyst using the Analyst Enrollment Form

Application: The analyst must complete and submit an application demonstrating their quality control work with their current organization.

Fees: An analyst application must include the Enrollment Fee (per analyst) and the Annual Fee (per analyst). A set of Asbestos Analysts Testing for the remaining rounds of the year must be purchased if the addition of the analyst brings the total number of analysts to the next multiple of 5 (1 set is required for every 5 analysts enrolled).

An analyst transfer follows the same application process as a new analyst. Analysts who have previously been enrolled in the AAR program may transfer to or re-enroll with an approved AAR organization by submitting an application demonstrating their quality control work with the current organization.

An analyst must be affiliated with an approved AAR organization to apply; refer to the AAR Policy for the definition of affiliated. See "How does an organization apply for the AAR" to re-enroll as an analyst with a new organization.

Enrollment: The analyst or organization must enroll a new analyst using the Analyst Enrollment Form

Application: The analyst must complete and submit an application demonstrating their quality control work with their current organization.

Fees: An analyst application must include the Enrollment Fee (per analyst) and the Annual Fee (per analyst). A set of Asbestos Analysts Testing for the remaining rounds of the year must be purchased if the addition of the analyst brings the total number of analysts to the next multiple of 5 (1 set is required for every 5 analysts enrolled).

An expedited analyst enrollment follows the same application procedure as any analyst (see "How does an analyst apply for the AAR?" or "How does an analyst transfer to another AA​R organization?" for the procedure), however, the application review process and AAT proficiency determination are expedited.

Expedited analysts can only begin their AAT participation with a retest round. Expedited enrollment is not currently available for enrollment into a regular round.

Expedited enrollment will not allow you to enroll an analyst into the current round past the Final Enrollment Deadline or the Enrollment Deadline for Samples (if the enrollment requires additional AAT samples).

Application Review: The review process is expedited. The application is given priority in the review queue. Responses are expected in 10 business days.

AAT Proficiency: An expedited analyst is enrolled in a retest round. The analyst will analyze that retest round and the next regular round to demonstrate proficiency.

The AAR analyst registration process can take up to six months.

The analyst must:

• successfully participate in two consecutive rounds of the AAT program, scoring no more than two outliers;
• the analyst's organization must be a Registered Organization; and
• the analyst's application must be approved.​

The organization or analyst must complete and submit the online analyst drop form to remove or drop an analyst from the AAR.

Note that enrolled analysts who do not participate in two (2) consecutive AAT rounds without an approved exemption will be administratively dropped from the AAR program (AAR Policy, Article III, Section 3.9.1) without further notice.

An organization that wishes to end its participation in the AAR program must contact the AIHA Registry Programs in writing. The AAR Organization Drop Form must be completed and submitted online. Annual participation fees are non-refundable; unused AAT sample fees will be refunded. Upon the drop of an organization from the AAR, its affiliated analysts will also be dropped from the program.

Each analyst must complete a NIOSH 582 (or equivalent) course in Asbestos Fiber Counting and must be able to provide documentation of this completion (course certificate and outline).

If an organization uses an in-house training program, this training must be verified by using a written protocol with performance criteria. Training shall include a minimum of 30 hours of contact and analytical time by a qualified instructor.

The analyst must also be trained in the organization's Quality System. The organization must document the training elements and dates of completion. An analyst must have Quality System training with every organization they work for.

Yes, as part of any new employee's training with an AAR organization, the organization shall evaluate the new employee's skills and training to determine the employee's level of competence and compliance with the organization's QA program requirements. This should be accomplished during a probationary period.

The length of probation is determined by the analyst's ability to conform to the method and QA program requirements. The AIHA Registry Program recommends a probationary period of at least two weeks. Documentation of the new employee probationary period is required to maintain or reinstate AAR Registered Analyst status. See AAR Policy, Article II, Section 2.2.4.

In accordance with AAR program policies, approved organizations and their affiliated analysts must follow the current revision of the NIOSH 7400 analytical method of fiber analysis.

Equipment must be suitable for the analyses performed. A phase-contrast microscope that meets the criteria in the OSHA standard for asbestos or the latest version of NIOSH Method 7400 must be available. As well as the equipment detailed in the latest version of NIOSH Method 7400, including a graticule, a phase-shift test slide, and the items necessary to prepare the sample filters for analysis.

Organizational procedures must include sample custody, tracking, and reporting. Analytical procedures must be written and include the requirements of the AAR Policy. For example, equipment setup and microscope alignment, field calibration, sample preparation, analytical procedure, counting, calculations, and precise adherence to the latest NIOSH Method 7400.

A written description of the quality control program must be provided in a Quality Manual or Standard Operating Procedures. This program must include the requirements of the AAR Policy. For example, routine or scheduled maintenance, microscope resolution, and calibration checks each time the microscope is set up, analysis of blanks, recount analysis, replicate counting practices and use of control charts, proficiency checks of analysts, specific quality control procedures for on-site counting, items 3-5 to conform to Appendix A of the OSHA Standard for asbestos, participation in Inter-laboratory Fiber Exchange Program (Round Robin), and precise adherence to the latest version of NIOSH Method 7400.

A Quality Manual must outline the elements of a quality assurance program outlined in the AAR Policy and the AIHA ​Laboratory Quality Assurance Manual. The AIHA Laboratory Quality Assurance Manual is available through the AIHA Marketplace and is a reference document providing general guidance for establishing a comprehensive quality assurance program.

It is also an acceptable practice for an organization to acquire the services of a consultant to assist with developing a QA program manual. Refer to the AIHA's Consultants List for a listing of qualified consultants.

A round robin is an exchange of samples among at least three separate organizations (minimally, your organization and two others), culminating in a statistical comparison of results organized by the organizations. To meet the AAR program, NIOSH 7400, and OSHA requirements, each organization must participate in a round-robin program at least twice annually. Your other participating round-robin organizations must all be involved in fiber counting operations but do not need to be involved in the AAR or any AIHA program.

A guidance document​ discussing the minimum recommendations for a round-robin program may be obtained by clicking here.

A list of organizations seeking fiber-counting round-robin participants is maintained on this website. Additionally, the AAR Directory of Registered Organizations and Analysts, AIHA PAT Program's IHPAT for asbestos participants, or AIHA-LAP, LLC IHLAP Accredited PCM Asbestos labs may provide a source for round-robin participants on a regional and national level, as all of these organizations/laboratories must be in a program.

Note, AAT or IHPAT participation does not meet the requirement of a round-robin program as defined by the NIOSH 7400 method or the AAR program.

Reference slides are permanently mounted filter preparations created by the organization from multiple sources, such as AAT samples and field samples, that have statistically derived reference values and limits of acceptability determined by the organization. Industrial Hygiene Proficiency Analytical Testing Program (IHPAT) and/or Asbestos Analytical Testing (AAT) Program proficiency samples and statistically validated client or working samples representing the fiber-loading ranges outlined in the NIOSH 7400 method shall be included in a well-developed reference library.

A minimum of 20 readings must be obtained to validate any reference test slide statistically. The mean value of these readings will then be considered the reference value for the test slide, and the standard deviation will be considered the limits of acceptability.

To comply with the requirements of the NIOSH 7400 method, at least one reference slide must be analyzed by each analyst before fiber counting any real-world or client samples. Best quality control practices would also dictate that a reference slide be analyzed before a proficiency or round-robin sample analysis. The selection of the slide must be random and must, over time, include all loading ranges.

To meet the requirements of the AAR program, each analyst must provide reference slide data for at least the three fiber-loading ranges detailed in the NIOSH 7400 method and the AAR Policy and demonstrate that the data are evaluated for acceptability on a real-time basis. See AAR Policy, Article II, Section 2.3.7.1 for more information.

There are various methods for determining an analyst's coefficient of variation or intracounter relative standard deviation. This statistic describes the variability of data obtained by a single counter.

The NIOSH 7400 method and the AIHA Laboratory Quality Assurance Manual require replicating analyses of reference slides to determine the intracounter variability for each fiber-loading range. The OSHA ID-160 method requires the construction of a CV curve. Several articles have also been published advocating the use of the recount analyses to determine an analyst's coefficient of variation for each fiber-loading range. These approaches are considered statistically valid and acceptable for AAR program compliance.

The analyst's relative standard deviation (or the coefficient of variation) must be determined to evaluate the 10 percent recount acceptability properly. Contact a consultant may obtain additional assistance in understanding the statistics involved with all of these approaches.

Quality control charts reveal variations in analytical performance from a historical record for the same procedure. Accuracy and precision control charts work together to demonstrate the reliability of the analytical method.

Control charts can identify assignable causes such as systematic bias, imprecision, or random errors. Guidance on developing a quality control chart can be found in the AIHA Laboratory Quality Assurance Manual and cited references. The AAR program recommends developing a quality control chart for each reference slide to determine the acceptability of daily reference slide analysis for each counter.

The NIOSH 7400 method requires the "periodic" use of a phase-shift test slide by "each microscopist/microscope combination" to check the phase-shift detection limit. The organization's frequency of use must be determined and stated in the organization's QA manual. Before determining this frequency, the organization should evaluate whether its microscopes are used in a field or laboratory setting and if analysts share the same microscope. As a minimum, the phase-shift test slide should be used every time a microscope is moved from one location to another and each time a new microscopist/microscope pairing occurs. Every enrolled analyst's periodic use of the phase-shift test slide must be documented to meet AAR program requirements.

The current version of the NIOSH 7400 method does not require a specific phase-shift test slide. Previous versions of the NIOSH 7400 method required using the Mark II HSE/NPL test slide. This slide's production was stopped several years ago and was replaced by the Mark III slide. OSHA and NIOSH have issued a clarification document to help analysts properly use the Mark III slide.

The "B" counting rules are alternate counting rules in the NIOSH 7400 method. The "B" rules are slightly different from the "A" rules and are used for nonasbestos fiber countings such as fiberglass and man-made mineral fibers.

The OSHA regulations (29 CFR 1910.1001) require the analyst to only count fibers equal to or longer than 5 µm with a length-to-width ratio of 3:1 or greater. This is consistent with the "A" counting rules outlined in the NIOSH 7400 method.

The "A" counting rules must be used to maintain compliance with AAR program requirements and must also be used in the IHPAT program.

The AAT program is the proficiency testing program of the Asbestos Analyst Registry (AAR). Only analysts enrolled in the AAR program can participate in the AAT program.

To enroll in the AAT program, an analyst must first submit the Analyst Enrollment Form to the AAR program with an enrolled AAR organization.

See the Analyst Application section of these FAQs for answers regarding submitting an analyst application with an existing AAR organization.

See the Organization Application section for answers regarding submitting an analyst application with an organization that has not yet enrolled in the AAR program.

AAT sample kits are shipped via a trackable courier to the organization's AAT Shipping Contact. Sample kits are shipped to US participants via UPS (or US Mail for PO Boxes); Sample kits are shipped to participants in Puerto Rico or international participants via FedEx.

Need to update your AAT Shipping Contact? Email us the new contact's name and email address.

If you do not receive your organization's AAT samples within 10 business days of the Shipping Date, contact the AIHA Registry Programs at Registries@aiha.org, so that we can track your shipment and send a replacement, if necessary.

Results worksheets are available on our AAT page. AAT worksheet inclusion in our sample kits was discontinued in 2015.

Upon receipt of the AAT samples:

• Inspect the shipment for any damage,
• Ensure that the correct samples were received, and
• Verify the readability of prepared samples within 5 business days of receipt.

If samples are damaged, defective, or anomalous, if you have issues locating fibers or with the readability of your samples, you must notify the AIHA Registry Programs within five (5) business days of receipt of your samples for us to be able to replace them. Samples may be replaced, at the expense of the organization, if reported more than five (5) business days past the expected receipt date, if there are samples available, and if the time for the shipment to occur before the round closes.

The AAT schedule can be found on the AAR Calendar and in our AAT Deadlines and Instructions document.

To enroll in the AAR/AAT programs, an application must be submitted by the Enrollment Deadline indicated on either the AAR Calendar and the AAT Deadlines and Instructions document. See the How do I enroll in the AAT program? item for more information.

AAT samples should be counted following the NIOSH 7400 method. We recommend the "A" counting rules for AAT samples.

Participants should treat AAT proficiency samples in the same manner as most routinely tested samples. This allows the effectiveness of the analytical methods used by the laboratory to be tested.

AAT results are due by 11:59:59 PM ET on the Round Close Dates found on the AAR Calendar and in our AAT Deadlines and Instructions document.

AAT results are entered into the AAT Data Dashboard of the Registry Portal. Please view the Registry Portal User Guides for more information.

A unique email address and User Name are required to log into the portal. Please contact us if you need your user name or if you need to establish an email address in our database.

After the close of the AAT round, all submitted results are statistically evaluated, and an AAT Performance Results Report is generated for each participating organization that shows the Registration and Proficiency status of each enrolled analyst. The organization's AAT Data contact and enrolled analysts will receive an e-mail notification once the results are available on the Registry Portal.

Your AAT Performance Results Reports will be posted to the AAT Data Dashboard of the Registry Portal on the Reports Posted date as indicated on the AAR Calendar and in our AAT Deadlines and Instructions document. Please view the Registry Portal User Guide for detailed instructions.

Proficiency in the AAT program is defined as scoring no more than 2 outliers in 2 consecutive rounds.

The acceptability of reported results is based on upper and lower acceptance limits determined during the statistical evaluation of all results submitted for the round.

A retest round is offered after every regular round to allow participants to participate in a retest round to regain proficient status. Retest samples can be ordered and paid for in the Registry portal. Retest orders are due by the Retest Order Due date found on the AAR Calendar and in our AAT Deadlines and Instructions document.

Only the analysts that want/need to participate in the retest should submit results for the retest round.

The retest results will overwrite and replace the original results submitted by the analyst, and proficiency will be evaluated based on the retest round pass/fail determination.

Yes, the AIHA Registry Programs maintains the stock from old AAT rounds for purchase. Samples are sold in sets of 4; they can be purchased by round (all 4 samples from one round) or by specific sample (4 samples from different rounds). Certificates of analysis are provided with your sample kit. Contact us at registries@aiha.org if you would like to order stock samples.

AAT samples are generated, verified, and shipped by RTI International on behalf of the AIHA Registry Programs.

This course may be taught in-house so long as equivalency can be demonstrated. To document equivalency, a course syllabus with a minimum of 30 classroom hours must be provided to the AIHA Registry Programs when an analyst taking the in-house course enrolls.

The AIHA Registry Programs can review and list your organization's course by submitting an application.