The Entry-Level CRT Examination is designed to objectively measure essential knowledge, skills and abilities required of entry-level respiratory therapists. The examination consists of 160 multiple-choice questions (140 scored items and 20 pretest items) distributed among three major content areas: clinical data, equipment and therapeutic procedures. Candidates will be given three hours to complete the Entry-Level CRT Examination. Click here for additional examination Frequently Asked Questions.

If you are planning to take any of the credentialing examinations offered by the National Board for Respiratory care, Inc. (NBRC), the Self-Assessment Examination provides an excellent opportunity for you to find out in advance how well you will do. The SAEs are available in web-based format and more information and pricing instructions can be found listed to in the right hand pane of this page.

1. Applicants shall be 18 years of age or older.
2. Applicants shall satisfy ONE of the following educational requirements:

a.     Applicants shall have a minimum of an associate degree from a respiratory therapy education 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).

b.     Applicants enrolled in an accredited respiratory therapy program in an institution offering a baccalaureate degree may be admitted to the CRT Examination with a "special certificate of completion" issued by a sponsoring educational institution. The CoARC will authorize such institutions to issue the "special certificate of completion" at the advanced-level following completion of the science, general academic and respiratory therapy coursework commensurate with the requirements for accreditation.

Effective January 1, 2005

The NBRC Board of Trustees reinstated the “expected graduation” provision of the entrance requirements for the CRT Examination. Individuals enrolled in accredited respiratory care education programs may now apply for and attempt the CRT Examination 30 days before actual graduation. No examination results will be released to the candidate or any other party until graduation is confirmed, either electronically by the education program director or by submission of an official transcript or certificate of completion by the candidate. Upon proof of graduation, examination results will be sent to the candidate.

Candidates must provide official proof of graduation within 60 days following the date of successful completion of the examination. If a candidate does not graduate as expected or fails to supply the required proof of eligibility, examination results will be invalidated, all application materials discarded and the examination fee forfeited. To qualify for a future CRT Examination, the candidate will be required to submit a new application and proof of graduation from an accredited respiratory care education program.

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.