How often is a respirator fit test required?

Before initial use, whenever a different respirator facepiece is used, and at least annually after that (29 CFR 1910.134(f)(2)).

When is an extra fit test needed?

When the employee reports, or the employer, PLHCP, supervisor or program administrator observes, changes in the employee's physical condition that could affect fit, such as facial scarring, dental changes, cosmetic surgery or an obvious change in body weight (29 CFR 1910.134(f)(3)).

Is a medical evaluation needed before the fit test?

Yes. The employer must provide a medical evaluation of the employee's ability to use a respirator before the employee is fit tested or required to use it (29 CFR 1910.134(e)(1)).

How long must fit test records be kept?

Until the next fit test is administered (29 CFR 1910.134(m)(2)(ii)).

US · Expiry & renewal tracking

Keep every employee's respirator fit test current

An employee who uses a tight-fitting facepiece respirator must pass a fit test before first use, whenever a different facepiece is used, and at least annually after that (29 CFR 1910.134(f)(2)). The employer provides the test at no cost, after a medical evaluation, and keeps the record until the next fit test.

Under OSHA's respiratory protection standard (29 CFR 1910.134), an employee using a tight-fitting facepiece respirator must pass an appropriate qualitative (QLFT) or quantitative (QNFT) fit test, using an OSHA-accepted protocol, with the same make, model, style and size of respirator that will be used (29 CFR 1910.134(f), (f)(1) and (f)(5)).

The fit test is required before initial use of the respirator, whenever a different facepiece (size, style, model or make) is used, and at least annually after that (29 CFR 1910.134(f)(2)). An additional fit test is needed when changes in the employee's physical condition could affect the fit, such as facial scarring, dental changes, cosmetic surgery or an obvious change in body weight (29 CFR 1910.134(f)(3)).

Before the employee is fit tested or required to use the respirator, the employer must provide a medical evaluation of the employee's ability to use a respirator (29 CFR 1910.134(e)(1)).

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At a glance

Rule	29 CFR 1910.134(f)(2) (OSHA)
Who	Employees using a tight-fitting facepiece respirator
First fit test	Before initial use of the respirator
Repeat	At least annually, and whenever a different facepiece is used
Extra fit test	When physical changes could affect the fit
Records	Kept until the next fit test

Who is responsible?

The employer. It must make sure employees are fit tested, and must provide respirators, training and medical evaluations at no cost to the employee (29 CFR 1910.134(c)(4) and (f)(2)).

What the fit test record must show

The record must include the name or identification of the employee, the type of fit test, the make, model, style and size of the respirator, the date of the test, and the pass/fail result for a QLFT or the fit factor and recording of the results for a QNFT. It is kept until the next fit test (29 CFR 1910.134(m)(2)). Respirator training must also be repeated annually (29 CFR 1910.134(k)(5)).

Tracking it with ExpirySuite

Add each respirator user and record the date their next annual fit test is due: one year after their last fit test.
Reminders arrive 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before the due date and on the due date itself.
Assign a responsible person (for example your respiratory protection program administrator) so the right person gets the reminder.
If a date passes, managers get overdue reminders 3, 7 and 14 days later.
Ask the employee or fit tester to upload the fit test record through a secure upload link, valid for 14 days; no account is needed.

Frequently asked questions

How often is a respirator fit test required?: Before initial use, whenever a different respirator facepiece is used, and at least annually after that (29 CFR 1910.134(f)(2)).
When is an extra fit test needed?: When the employee reports, or the employer, PLHCP, supervisor or program administrator observes, changes in the employee's physical condition that could affect fit, such as facial scarring, dental changes, cosmetic surgery or an obvious change in body weight (29 CFR 1910.134(f)(3)).
Is a medical evaluation needed before the fit test?: Yes. The employer must provide a medical evaluation of the employee's ability to use a respirator before the employee is fit tested or required to use it (29 CFR 1910.134(e)(1)).
How long must fit test records be kept?: Until the next fit test is administered (29 CFR 1910.134(m)(2)(ii)).

Sources

Last checked: Sep 30, 2026 · This page summarises official sources for general information and is not legal advice. Check the linked sources for current rules and fees.

Made for respirator fit test (OSHA) (US)

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Reminders on time

Email alerts at 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before each respirator fit test (OSHA) (US) expires, plus overdue escalation to managers.

Assign an owner

Give each respirator fit test (OSHA) (US) an owner and let employees update their own via a secure link — no login needed.