The Entry-Level CPFT Examination is designed to objectively measure essential knowledge, skills and abilities required of entry-level pulmonary function technologists at beginning practice. The examination consists of 115 multiple-choice questions (100 scored items and 15 pretest items) distributed among three major content areas: instrumentation/equipment, diagnostic procedures and data management. Candidates will be given two hours to complete the CPFT Examination. Click here for additional examination Frequently Asked Questions.

1. Applicants shall be 18 years of age or older.
2. Applicants shall satisfy ONE of the following:
   1. Have a minimum of an associate degree from a respiratory therapy educational program supported by the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC), or its predecessor the Joint Review Committee for Respiratory Therapy Education (JRCRTE), or accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
      
      OR
   2. Be a Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credentialed by the NBRC.
      
      OR
   3. Be a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credentialed by the NBRC.
      
      OR
   4. Complete 62 semester hours of college credit from a college or university accredited by its regional association or its equivalent, including college credit level courses in biology, chemistry and mathematics. A minimum of six months of clinical experience* in the field of pulmonary function technology under the direction of a Medical Director of a pulmonary function laboratory or a special care area is also required prior to applying for the examination.
      
      OR
   5. Be a high school graduate (or the equivalent) and complete two years of clinical experience* in the field of pulmonary function technology under the direction of a Medical Director of a pulmonary function laboratory or a special care area prior to applying for the examination.

* Clinical experience is defined as a minimum of eight hours per week for a calendar year in pulmonary technology under the supervision of a medical director of a pulmonary function laboratory or a special care area acceptable to the Board. Clinical experience must be completed before the candidate applies for this examination.

The web-based NBRC self-evaluation examinations are designed to simulate taking an NBRC examination. The software is identical to that which is used for the administration of NBRC examinations. To use this software you will need an HTML 4.0 compatible browser such as Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator with "cookies enabled" and an HTML capable e-mail account for delivery of a feedback report. (Web tests are NOT compatible with limited functionality browsers such as WebTV.)

Clicking the hyperlink below will open the self-evaluation examination login page. Please read the following instructions:

• Login using your e-mail address. Your results will be sent to this address.
• Use the mouse to select your responses and to maneuver through the examination.
• To obtain your results, you must take the entire examination in one sitting. Your results are not saved if you exit the examination.
• When you have completed the examination, click Finish and Display. Your results are displayed onscreen and will be e-mailed to you if you provided your e-mail address on the login page. (For the CSE self-evaluation examination, you must display your results onscreen at the end of the examination for this e-mail to be generated.)
• If you need help using the examination software, click on the Help button in the lower portion of the screen once you begin the examination.