The American College of Chest Physicians is exploring development of a certification program for advanced practice providers (APPs) in pulmonary medicine.
RT’s Three Key Takeaways:
- Pulmonary APP certification exploration: The American College of Chest Physicians is initiating development of a certification program for advanced practice providers (APPs) in pulmonary medicine, building on the success of its critical care APP program.
- Advancing professional recognition: CHEST’s initiative aims to formally validate the specialized expertise of nurse practitioners and physician assistants in pulmonary care, supporting professional growth, collaboration, and patient confidence.
- Commitment to care excellence: Set for decision in 2026, the program reflects CHEST’s mission to elevate pulmonary care standards by equipping all members of the clinical team with evidence-based, high-quality training.
Following the success of the critical care education and certification program for nurse practitioners and physician assistants/associates, the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) is exploring development of a certification program for advanced practice providers (APPs) in pulmonary medicine.
This initiative underscores CHEST’s ongoing commitment to elevating standards of care by empowering the entire clinical team with validated, specialty-specific training.
“APPs have been an integral part of pulmonary medicine for many years, stepping up to fill critical gaps in physician availability and patient care. Yet there has never been a formal way to recognize or validate our specialized expertise in this field,” said Corinne Young, NP-C, MSN, FCCP. “Chest’s decision to begin discovery work around an APP pulmonary certification is an exciting and important step forward. It acknowledges the value APPs bring to pulmonary care and opens the door to future opportunities for professional validation, collaboration, and improved patient confidence.”
CHEST has a long history of advancing evidence-based education and credentialing across the spectrum of chest medicine. Building on this foundation, the new program will focus on strengthening clinical knowledge, supporting professional growth, and ultimately enhancing patient care.
“CHEST’s goal is to elevate the quality of pulmonary care by ensuring that all members of the clinical team are well prepared to deliver evidence-based, safe, and effective care within their area of practice,” said John Howington, MD, MBA, FCCP, CHEST President. “By investing in this kind of focused, high-quality program, CHEST is helping ensure that every patient receives the best possible care from a cohesive, well-trained team.”
The pulmonary APP education and certification exploration will culminate in 2026, when further decisions about the initiative will be made. It follows CHEST’s critical care APP program, which has already seen remarkable uptake and impact across the country.
“At CHEST, we are deeply committed to advancing the entire care team, not just individual disciplines,” said Robert A. Musacchio, PhD, CHEST CEO. “By exploring and developing education and certification opportunities for APPs, we aim to foster collaboration, raise standards, and improve the quality-of-care patients receive.”
