Counting Stations
Individuals who serve as counters of the National Allergy Bureau (NAB) are required to become certified and to maintain their certification. The AAAAI certification program is administered through the AAAAI Aerobiology Committee.
This program requires candidates to successfully complete both a 70 question multiple choice exam and a slide identification exam. To be a pollen counter, an applicant must accurately identify and count pollen on an actual pollen slide. To be a mold counter, an applicant must accurately identify and count mold spores on an actual mold slide.
Once certified, a station must collect samples a minimum of three days per week using either a Burkard volumetric spore trap, a Kramer-Collins sampler or a Rotorod sampler. The sampler must be situated on an unobstructed rooftop at least one story above ground with no local pollen and/or mold spore sources.