The Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists (CSRT), which was originally called the Canadian Society of Inhalation Therapy Technicians, was founded in 1964.
The CSRT offers only Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) certification, which is now a voluntary national credential. To write this exam, applicants must have graduated from an accredited respiratory therapy educational program in Canada; or they must meet the partial reciprocity agreement with the US National Board for Respiratory Care; or they must have completed a Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) through an accredited respiratory therapy educational program in Canada. The exam is offered twice each year (early July and early January). The fee to write the exam is C$575.
Since the CSRT does not offer specialty certifications, many Canadians obtain credentials through the US National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC). Respiratory therapists, however, are not covered under the North American Free Trade Agreement for employment purposes.
The US National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC), which was originally incorporated as the American Registry of Inhalation Therapists (ARIT), was founded in 1960.
The NBRC Offers Two Basic Credentials
1) Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT):The CRT credential is a prerequisite for writing the RRT exam. To write the CRT exam, one must hold at least an Associate's degree in respiratory therapy from an accredited institution. In 2008, the CRT exam fee was US$190 for a first attempt. (Canadian RRTs may write the CRT exam by forwarding a completed application form, application fee, and a notarized copy of their Canadian Registry certificate; also see note below regarding the RRT credential.)
2) Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT):There are six paths for admission to eligibility to write the RRT exam. As with the CRT exam, one must hold at least an Associate's degree in respiratory therapy from an accredited institution. Depending on your education, you may also require clinical work experience as a CRT to write the RRT exam.
The RRT exam has two parts: the written part, with a fee of US$190 for first-time writers, and the Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE) part, at a fee of US$200 for first-time writers. (Canadian respiratory therapists holding the CSRT's RRT credential need to pass only the CSE to earn the NBRC's RRT credential.)
As of January 1, 2005, there is a time limit of three years during which an individual remains eligible for the exam after graduation. In addition, advanced level graduates who have already earned the CRT credential and/or taken and passed one part of the RRT Examination must earn the RRT Credential by February 28, 2009. Individuals who do not earn the RRT Credential by this date must comply with the new three-year time limit policy to regain eligibility
The NBRC Also Offers Three Specialty Credentials
Neonatal/Pediatric Respiratory Care Specialist:The exam may be written by all RRTs, and by CRTs with one year of post-certification experience in neonatal/pediatric respiratory care (meaning at least 10 hours per week). The exam fee is US$250 for a first-time writing.
Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT):The exam may be written by graduates of a respiratory therapy educational program with a minimum of an Associate's degree, by CRTs and RRTs, or by graduates of accredited pulmonary function program. (For other options, see the
CPFT Admission Requirements page.) The exam fee for first-time writing is US$200.
Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist (RPFT):The exam may be written by individuals with the CPFT credential. The exam fee for first-time writing is US$250.
All NBRC exams are computer-based, so may be written year-round at sites across the US.
Effective July 1, 2002, NBRC credentials issued are awarded for a five-year term. The NBRC's Continuing Competency Program has three options for renewal at the end of the five-year term:
Though individuals credentialled before July 1, 2002 do not have to participate in the Continuing Competency Program, they may do so voluntarily. The NBRC encourages all credentialled practitioners to retake their respective examinations periodically to assess their knowledge against current standards.
For more information, contact the
NBRC.
Updated on August 14, 2008.