The RPFT Examination is designed to objectively measure essential knowledge, skills and abilities required of an advanced pulmonary function technologist. The CPFT credential is a prerequisite for admission to the RPFT Examination. 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 this 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 be Certified Pulmonary Function Technologists (CPFT)* credentialed by the NBRC prior to applying for the examination.

* Individuals who successfully completed the CCPT Examination with a specialty in Pulmonary Technology previously offered by the National Society for Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Technology (NSCPT) or the National Board for Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Credentialing (NBCPC) were recognized as CPFTs by the NBRC in July 1984 and are eligible for the RPFT Examination. To apply for the RPFT Examination, these individuals must submit a photocopy of their CCPT certificate with their application and fee.

The web-based NBRC self-evaluation examinations are designed to simulate taking an NBRC examination. Candidates for the Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE) should be aware that the purpose of this practice simulation is to familiarize them with the format of the examination and the functionality of the software. The difficulty of this practice simulation is not a reflection of the difficulty of the simulations on the actual examination. Candidates are encouraged to review the information in the CSE section of the candidate handbook for specific information about the content of the CSE.

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.