Fit Tester Training

The HAI/AR Occupational Health Team offers training to help Long-term Care Facilities (LTCF) learn how to do their own qualitative N95 fit testing.

There is no required certification to become a fit tester. It is the employer’s responsibility to be sure the fit test being done for their workers is done correctly.

It is best practice for the person doing the fit testing to have a deeper understanding of respirator use to answer questions the person getting fit tested may have.

Not sure what a fit test is or why it needs to be done? Watch this video and take the knowledge check quiz at the end: https://wisha-training.lni.wa.gov/training/articulate/N-95RespiratorFit-Testing/story.html 

Regulations and Resources

Fit test trainees need to be familiar with the regulations, their facility’s written program, Employee N95 User training, and other training materials below:

Specific WACs relating to fit testing:

The facility’s written Respirator Program (check with your facility) The facility’s Employee N95 User training (check with your facility)
Donning/Doffing N95s

Fit test trainees should be an expert or highly skilled in donning and doffing all the N95 respirators in your facility:

If the trainee is not familiar with donning and doffing a N95 respirator, please see fit testing resources. 

Remember to always review the manufacturer’s instructions on how to don and doff the N95.

NOTE: If the trainee has not yet been fit tested and would like to be fit tested, the medical evaluation and respirator training will need to be done prior to fit testing.

Supplies and equipment needed for the fit test

Supplies and equipment and their purpose

  • Fit test Kit (Bitter or sweet) - The kit has all the equipment and solutions to perform a fit test. All items in the fit test kit can be purchased separately.
  • Mirror - To show the person how their respirator fits on their face and to look at the strap placement.
  • Gloves - To be used when sanitizing the hood/s and to keep the solutions off your hands, especially if you are fit testing a large number of people.
  • Clock with a sweep hand - Our recommendation is to use a clock with a sweep hand. Watching the sweep hand makes it easy to adjust your timing and it frees your hands.
  • Disinfectant wipes - The wipes should be unscented. Check the label on the container for the contact time. The longer the contact time for disinfecting, the longer between fit tests. Do not use wipes with bleach (bleach is a respiratory hazard).
  • Hand Sanitizer - The hand sanitizer is there for anyone to use. More than one model of N95 respirators - Some staff may not fit the N95s you carry. It helps to have other N95 models available.
  • Napkins/paper towel - This is for the staff to moisten and wipe the solution off their lips after the sensitivity testing and if the seal of the N95 fails during the fit test. Residual solutions on the lips may cause a false failed fit test.
  • Water, with cups - After the sensitivity test, or if the N95 seal fails during the fit test, staff should rinse their mouth with plain water. The water will help get rid of the taste in their mouth. The solutions are non-toxic and can be swallowed. The staff will need to be rid of the taste in their mouth for the next step.
  • Blank Fit Test Records - Each fit test will need to have a completed record.
DOH Fit Tester Training

This training is to assist a person to conduct a valid fit test according to the rules and regulations enforced by L&I. This training is not the training your staff needs to understand how to use the N95.

To fully benefit from the DOH Fit Test Training, the trainees will need to be familiar with the fit testing process, how respirators work, how to don and doff the N95, and their facility’s written respirator program before attending the webinar. This knowledge will help the fit tester understand respiratory protection at a higher level and be able to answer any questions the staff may have during fit testing.

Preparing for the Fit Tester Training webinar

Each trainee must watch the following 3 videos to be prepared for the Fit Test Training webinar:

  1. Introduction to Fit Testing (9 minutes)
  2. Equipment Overview (23 minutes)
  3. Fit Testing (29 minutes)

The webinar is on Zoom. We encourage each participant to have their own log in into the webinar to be interactive during the training.

We strongly encourage the participants to have their fit test kit during the webinar to follow along.

It is best practice to attend the webinar in an area free of distractions and enough space to open the fit test kit up to examine the equipment.

Sign up for fit tester training

Choose a time that will work best for your fit test trainees. They will need to have enough time to watch the videos and go over the material to be prepared.

Trainees can re-take the Virtual Fit Test Training webinar for a refresher or re-watch the DOH videos.

During the Fit Tester Training webinar

The webinar starts on time, allow yourself time to get into Zoom and get your kit out.

If a group of staff will be attending the webinar, each person will need to register and log in separately. We will be doing knowledge checks throughout the webinar and would like each person to participate separately.

Bring your questions to the webinar, if you have a question, it is likely others that have the same question.

After the webinar

After completing the DOH Fit Tester Training webinar, we recommend you practice first before fit testing someone.

  • Have someone evaluate you while you are performing a fit test. Use this checklist to be sure you are doing it correctly: DOH - Evaluating the fit tester. (Also, you can use this checklist to evaluate yourself.)

NOTE: Remember there is no certification for learning how to conduct a fit test. Please use the checklist to validate your skill to conduct a fit test according to the rules and regulations.