What is the Credential Maintenance Program (CMP)?
An ongoing process of learning, self-evaluation, and clinical improvement that demonstrates your continued competency in the field of respiratory care. The CMP impacts practitioners who earned a credential on or after July 1, 2002. You may choose from three options to meet your needs.
- Quarterly Assessments/Continued Education (CE) – Complete quarterly assessments comprised of multiple choice questions that focus on content that changes most rapidly and puts the public at highest risk. The higher your score on the assessments, the less CE you will be required to document. If your assessment score is high enough, no documentation of CE will be required to renew your credential(s). Other results place you into one of two groups; those in yellow will be required to document 15 CE credits and those in the red zone will be required to document 30 CE credits.
- Retake a Credentialing Examination – Retake and pass the examination for the highest credential you hold that is subject to the CMP. Retake the exam anytime during the last year of your five-year credential period. Passing the exam will extend the term of all of your NBRC credentials for an additional five years, with the new five-year period beginning on the date you pass the examination.
- Earn Another NBRC Credential – Pass an NBRC credentialing examination not previously completed. This option automatically extends the certification period of all other NBRC credentials you hold starting on the day you earn the new credential.
Are the CMP assessments required?
As specified above, there are three ways to maintain your credential(s). If you choose the option of Quarterly Assessments/Continued Education, you will be required to document up to 30 hours of Continuing Education (CE). The quarterly assessments are a tool you can use to reduce the CE required to maintain your credential. If your assessment score is high enough, no documentation of CE will be required to renew your credential(s). If you choose not to participate in the assessments, your scores on the quarterly assessments will be zero and you will be required to document 30 CE hours.
Maintaining a credential is separate from maintaining a license. Even if high assessment performance exempts you from documenting CE for the NBRC, the state in which you live is likely to require CE documentation for your license.
Will I lose my credential if I don’t perform well on the quarterly assessments?
No. The Credential Maintenance Program is an ongoing process of learning, self-evaluation, and clinical improvement that demonstrates your continued competency in the field of respiratory care. The quarterly assessments are a tool you can use to reduce the CE required to maintain your credential. If you don’t perform well on the quarterly assessments, you can provide documentation for 30 hours of CE to renew your credential. There are also two other methods of maintaining your credential.
Should I study for CMP assessments and what resources should I use?
Each assessment is designed to focus on content that changes rapidly and puts the public at highest risk. Practitioners who participate in the credential maintenance program were surveyed to identify changing content and public risk issues. Assessments will be constructed according to a detailed content outline that was developed based on those survey results. Reviewing the detailed content outline (DCO) to identify your personal areas of strength and weakness before you begin an assessment is suggested. An explanation for all possible responses and a reference citation is provided for each question for use in further researching the topic. This feedback provides an excellent opportunity for professional development, as well as improving performance on future assessments.
ACCS Detailed Content Outline for the CMP
NPS Detailed Content Outline for the CMP
PFT Detailed Content Outline for the CMP
I’ve already submitted CE documentation. Why am I receiving a reminder about completing the CMP assessments?
Reminders are sent to all NBRC practitioners who must maintain their credential through the CMP and who haven’t yet completed the quarterly assessment. Additionally, you may provide any required CE documentation to the Practitioner Portal at any time during your five-year certification cycle. However, you must wait until six months before your certification expiration date to submit those CEs for recertification.
I received a reminder about completing the CMP assessment. Is my credential about to expire?
Reminders are sent to all practitioners who must maintain their credential through the CMP and who haven’t yet completed the quarterly assessment. Your NBRC credentials are valid for a five-year certification cycle. To verify the expiration date of your credentials, log into the Practitioner Portal. The credentials you’ve earned are presented on the main page of the portal.
What happens if I lose my internet connection while I’m completing a CMP assessment?
Unfortunately, if you lose your internet connection after you’ve started the timer the question will be marked as “Unanswered”. If you’re using a mobile device, make sure you’re in a location that typically offers a consistent signal.
Why did I get zero points?
Zero points may be the result of incorrect responses or items left with no responses. Your dashboard will differentiate between these two scenarios, but the score is zero either way.
I forgot to do an assessment. Can I do it now?
Assessments are released quarterly and are available until January 31 of the following calendar year. At that point, previous assessments will no longer be available.
