Maintaining your respiratory therapist license and credentials is not only a legal requirement but also a crucial part of your professional journey.
As a respiratory therapist, you play a vital role in patient care, ensuring that individuals of all ages can breathe easier and lead healthier lives.
To continue providing this essential service, it’s important to stay informed and compliant with the standards set by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) and your state’s licensing board.
This article will guide you through the key steps and best practices for keeping your credentials and license up-to-date, ensuring that you remain in good standing throughout your career.
Respiratory Therapist Credentials
Credentials are proof that you’ve met the educational and clinical requirements needed to practice as a respiratory therapist. To qualify for the credentialing exams, you must first complete an accredited respiratory therapy program.
After graduation, you’ll need to pass two key exams:
Note: Successfully passing both exams will earn you the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential, which is a significant milestone in your journey. With this credential, you’ll be eligible to apply for a state license to practice respiratory care.
Respiratory Therapist License
A license is mandatory for practicing respiratory care in every state. To obtain one, you’ll need to complete the following steps:
- Graduate from an accredited respiratory therapy program.
- Pass the required board exams and earn your credentials.
- Submit an application to your state’s licensing board, including the necessary fees.
Once your application is reviewed and approved, you’ll receive your license, allowing you to officially practice respiratory care in your state.
By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to a successful and fulfilling career as a respiratory therapist.
How to Maintain Your Respiratory Therapist Credentials
To keep your credentials as a respiratory therapist active, you’ll need to participate in the Credential Maintenance Program (CMP) offered by the NBRC.
This program requires respiratory therapists to renew their credentials every five years. You can do this in one of three ways:
- Complete Assessments or Submit Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
- Pass the Previous Board Exam for Your Highest Credential
- Pass a New NBRC Credentialing Exam
Note: If you earned your credentials on or after July 1, 2002, you’re required to participate in the CMP to maintain them. However, if your credentials were awarded before that date, participation in the CMP is optional.
1. Complete Assessments or Submit CEUs
One way to maintain your credentials is by completing quarterly assessments provided by the NBRC. These assessments are essentially online quizzes that are designed to evaluate your knowledge of the most current respiratory care practices and guidelines.
Alternatively, you can submit Continuing Education Units (CEUs) to the NBRC. CEUs can be earned by attending workshops, conferences, and other educational events relevant to respiratory care.
If your assessment scores are high enough, submitting CEUs may not be necessary. However, if your scores fall short, you may need to submit up to 30 CEUs to meet the requirements.
2. Pass the Previous Board Exam for Your Highest Credential
Another option to maintain your credentials is to retake and pass the board exam for your highest credential during the last year of your five-year credential period.
Successfully passing the exam will reset your credentialing period, giving you another five years from the date of the exam.
If you hold multiple NBRC credentials, you must retake and pass the exam for your highest-level credential. For example, if you have the RRT-ACCS credential, you would need to retake and pass the ACCS exam to maintain all your credentials.
3. Pass a New NBRC Credentialing Exam
The third way to maintain your credentials is by passing a new NBRC credentialing exam that you haven’t previously taken. Doing so will extend the credentialing period of all your NBRC credentials for an additional five years.
This approach aligns the expiration dates of all your credentials, allowing you to renew them simultaneously, which can simplify the process of maintaining your professional standing.
By staying proactive and choosing the method that best suits your needs, you can ensure your credentials remain current, allowing you to continue your valuable work as a respiratory therapist.
How to Document Respiratory CEUs
When choosing to submit Continuing Education Units (CEUs) to the NBRC to maintain your credentials, it’s crucial to document them correctly.
You can earn CEUs by participating in approved educational activities, including:
- Lectures
- Panels
- Workshops
- Seminars
- Symposia
- Online courses
Note: To maintain your credentials, you must submit your CEUs through the NBRC website and pay the required fees before your credentials expire. Missing the deadline will result in the expiration of your credentials.
What Happens if Your Credential Expires?
If your credentials expire, you will no longer be authorized to practice respiratory care in the United States. However, reinstatement is possible.
- Within Six Months of Expiration: You can still reinstate your credentials by submitting your CEUs online and paying a $250 reinstatement fee. The CEUs must have been earned during your most recent five-year credentialing period for this option to be valid.
- More Than Six Months Past Expiration: In this case, you will need to retake and pass the NBRC exams for all credentials you previously held.
How to Maintain Your Respiratory Therapist License
To keep your respiratory therapist license active, you must adhere to the specific requirements of your state’s licensing board. These requirements can vary by state but generally include completing CEUs and renewing your license annually, biannually, or biennially.
While many states allow CEUs to be completed online, some require attendance at in-person workshops and conferences.
Additionally, you will need to pay a renewal fee, which can range from $20 to $300, depending on your state. It’s important to check with your state’s licensing board for specific requirements.
Required Certification for Respiratory Therapists
To practice as a respiratory therapist, you must obtain certification from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC). This certification signifies that you have met the necessary licensing and credentialing requirements to practice respiratory care.
In simpler terms, obtaining certification as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) involves passing both NBRC exams. While the terms “certification” and “credentialing” are often used interchangeably, they both refer to meeting the required standards to practice respiratory care.
Note: By following these steps, you can ensure that your credentials and license remain in good standing, allowing you to continue your career as a respiratory therapist.
FAQs About the License and Credentials for Respiratory Therapists
Do Respiratory Therapists Need a License?
Yes, respiratory therapists are required to have a license to practice in all states within the United States. To obtain a license, you must first complete an accredited respiratory therapy program and pass the necessary exams administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).
Additionally, maintaining your license typically involves completing continuing education units (CEUs) and renewing the license according to your state’s specific regulations.
Is Becoming a Respiratory Therapist Difficult?
Becoming a respiratory therapist can be challenging, as it requires a solid foundation in science, medical knowledge, and clinical skills. You’ll need to complete a rigorous accredited respiratory therapy program that includes both classroom instruction and hands-on clinical experience.
Afterward, you must pass two exams: the Therapist Multiple-Choice Exam (TMC) and the Clinical Simulation Exam (CSE). While the process is demanding, it is achievable with dedication and the right preparation, and it leads to a rewarding career in healthcare.
What is the Difference Between a CRT and an RRT?
The Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) and Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credentials represent different levels of certification in the field of respiratory care. The CRT is considered the entry-level credential, which you earn by passing the Therapist Multiple-Choice Exam (TMC) at the lower passing threshold.
The RRT, on the other hand, is the advanced credential, requiring a higher passing score on the TMC and successful completion of the Clinical Simulation Exam (CSE). The RRT credential is often preferred by employers and is required for certain advanced roles within the field.
Final Thoughts
In the rapidly evolving field of respiratory care, maintaining your license and credentials is more than just a requirement—it’s a commitment to excellence and patient safety.
By staying proactive in fulfilling the NBRC’s credentialing requirements and adhering to your state’s licensing regulations, you ensure your ability to continue providing high-quality care to those who need it most.
Whether you’re renewing your credentials through exams or CEUs, or ensuring your license remains active, following these guidelines will help you stay at the forefront of your profession.
Written by:
John Landry is a registered respiratory therapist from Memphis, TN, and has a bachelor's degree in kinesiology. He enjoys using evidence-based research to help others breathe easier and live a healthier life.
References
- “The National Board of Respiratory Care.” NBRC. Credential Maintenance Program; July 2020.
- “Respiratory Therapist State Licensure Information.” AARC; June 2020.