Respiratory Therapy Specialty Certificates – US

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 2007, 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.)

There are five educational requirement options for 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 December 31, 2007. 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 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.

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.

The exam may be written by individuals with the CPFT credential. The exam fee for first-time writing is US$250.

The exam may be written by individuals with the CPFT credential. The exam fee for first-time writing is US$250.

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:

1. Completing at least 30 hours of CE credits.
2. Retaking the exam for the credential being renewed (e.g., if you hold CRT credentials, you rewrite this exam; if you have CRT and RRT credentials, you only need rewrite one exam).
3. Passing a credentialling exam not previously completed (e.g., if you hold CRT and CPFT credentials, you can write the RPFT exam).

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.

For US RTs interested in Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) certification with the Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists (CSRT), see the MedHunters article Respiratory Therapy Specialty Certificates – Canada. Note that respiratory therapists are not covered under the North American Free Trade Agreement for employment purposes.