N.C. Cooperative Extension, Greene County Center is partnering with the Agromedicine Institute to offer respirator fit testing and medical clearance. Fit testing will be offered on January 29, 2026 in the Elaney Wood Farmers Market (470 US-13, Snow Hill, NC 28580) by appointment only, please contact the Greene County Extension Office: 252-747-5831 to make an appointment.

Fees:

• Respirator fit testing and medical clearance: $55
• Medical clearance or fit testing (one service): $30
• (You are not required to obtain medical clearance through the Agromedicine Institute; however, if you obtain medical clearance from another source, you must bring proof of your medical clearance on the day of the fit test.)

Important:

• Please bring a clean respirator that you plan to use to the fit test.
• You must be clean shaved.
• Again, if you have already received your medical clearance please bring proof or you will not be able to be fit tested unless you do your medical clearance again.

Fit Testing

What to Expect at a Respirator Fit Test Event

$55 Includes fit test & medical clearanceFederal regulations require medical clearance prior to fit testing

When You Arrive

You will be checked in and asked to fill out the fit test record and Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) questionnaire, if not previously completed.

Medical Clearance

Medical clearance is an evaluation completed by a licensed healthcare professional (e.g., physician, family nurse practitioner, or physician assistant). If proof of medical clearance cannot be produced at the time of the fit test, one of the agromedicine nurses will complete the evaluation prior to conducting the fit test. Documentation of (1) medical clearance, (2) training, and (3) fit test are all necessary for compliance.

Fit Test

NC Agromedicine nurses will perform the fit test using specialized equipment. Participants will be fit tested in the respirator they plan to use, as the fit test only certifies you to wear the specific model and size respirator that was worn during the fit test.

Tips & Reminders

• Cartridges are not needed for fit testing 3M and North respirators. CLEAN the respirator you plan to use and bring it to the fit test.
• The fit test only certifies you to wear the specific model and size respirator worn during the test.
• Medical clearance or fit test can be provided separately for $30/service or $55 for both.

Cartridges

Store cartridges in a container separate from the respirator and keep a log of the length of time cartridges are used. The use time for cartridges and filtering facepieces is 8 hours.

Paperwork

The fit test record and medical clearance provided by the NC Agromedicine Institute are valid for 1 year. Worker Protection Standards requires these documents to be kept on file for 2 years, while OSHA requires 5 years. OSHA farms are those with migrant housing or 11+ full-time workers year-round.

Payment

Check, card, or invoice to farm.

Facial Hair Policy

Per federal guidelines, fit tests will not be administered when facial hair protrudes under the respirator seal or extends far enough to interfere with the device’s valve function.Short mustaches, sideburns, and small goatees that are neatly trimmed so that no hair compromises the seal of the respirator may be permitted for fit testing.

Contact

agromedicine@ecu.edu
252-744-1008
ncagromedicine.org