How to become a respiratory therapist

To lay the foundation for a career in respiratory therapy, students should complete as many courses as possible in biology, health, health occupations, anatomy, physiology, math, chemistry, and physics. Material learned in these classes will make college studies more manageable. A high class rank and grade point average (GPA) will enhance candidacy for degree programs. A first course in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is also recommended for high school students considering this occupation.

While a Bachelor’s degree in respiratory care takes two years longer to earn than an Associate’s degree, completing the four-year program typically gives prospective RTs a competitive edge. Regardless of the education track they choose, aspiring respiratory therapists must be careful to enroll in a program accredited by the Commission of Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).

Coursework in an Associate’s degree program introduces students to theories and the science of respiratory therapy and teaches clinical techniques for use with adults, children, and infants. The curriculum comprises clinical rotations in various specialty areas, allowing students to practise their skills in real-life situations. In addition to courses specific to the field of respiratory therapy, Associate programs include instruction in college-level algebra, English composition, public speaking, and psychology.

Online Associate’s degree programs targeted at newcomers to the field assist students in arranging local clinical practice, which is a prerequisite to sit for the certification exam.

Bachelor degree programs in respiratory therapy focus on mathematics, anatomy, physiology, chemistry, physics, and pharmacology. Courses specific to the field teach diagnostic testing, clinical respiratory care, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and the use of respiratory therapy equipment.

The National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) oversees the Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) Examination held at testing centers located throughout the U.S. Candidates who pass the exam earn the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) designation. The NBRC offers a no-charge online practice exam to acquaint candidates with the format of the certification exam.

Every state except Alaska regulates licensure for respiratory therapists. The licensing benchmark in nearly all states is the NBRC CRT exam. Some states may require a higher level of certification, such as the NBRC’s Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential.

In some states, graduates of Associate-level respiratory care programs and students of Bachelor’s programs who have completed requisite coursework may apply for temporary licensure before taking the CRT exam. This allows them to begin working in the field while preparing to sit for the examination.

Employers may prefer or require that respiratory therapists have additional life support certifications. RTs who wish to work with children or infants should consider earning Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification and completing a neonatal resuscitation course. It is recommended that all RTs obtain Basic Life Support and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications. These credentials can be kept active through a recertification process.

The National Board for Respiratory Care requires Certified Respiratory Therapists to renew their CRT credential every five years through continuing education or testing. CRTs must also maintain their active status annually by submitting a document verifying that they are practising respiratory therapy. Some states require continuing medical education (CME) to retain licensure.

Although approved continuing education providers may vary from one state to the next, it is typical for licensing boards to recognize courses from the following:

 Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education
 NBRC Advanced Certification (Adult Critical Care Specialist, Neonatal/Pediatric Respiratory Care Specialist, Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist, Sleep Disorders Testing, Therapeutic Intervention Respiratory Care)
 American Academy of Sleep Medicine
 American Association for Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation
 American College of Cardiology
 American College of Chest Physicians
 American Heart Association
 American Lung Association
 American Medical Association
 American Nurses Association
 American Society of Anesthesiologists
 American Thoracic Society
 National Society for Cardiopulmonary Technologists
 Programs accredited by the American Association for Respiratory Care

Therapists holding the CRT credential can become Registered Respiratory Therapists. Candidates must pass written and clinical examinations to earn the RRT designation. It is generally possible to earn both the CRT and RRT credentials within three years of graduating from a respiratory therapy program.

The RRT exam consists of two sections. The Written Exam (WRRT) of 115 questions covers a variety of topics, ranging from clinical data review to proper usage of therapeutic procedures. Candidates are given two hours to complete this section. The Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE) presents ten different real life scenarios simulating the different roles of an RT within the respiratory care field. Candidates have four hours to complete these re-enactments and demonstrate their competency in a hands-on environment.