CRT-to-Registry Admission Policy Expires in December 2026

This announcement is to bring awareness to the elimination of the CRT-to-Registry Admission Policy. The NBRC will continue to support the CRT credential; the CRT credential is not being eliminated. With the elimination of this policy, if an individual does not have an associate’s degree from a CoARC-accredited, advanced level respiratory therapy program, they will not be eligible to take the new Respiratory Therapy Examination beginning January 1, 2027.

The CRT-to-Registry Admission Provision is a route of eligibility to earn the RRT credential for credentialed individuals who do not have an associate degree from a two-year Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) accredited respiratory therapy program.

The CRT-to-Registry Admission Policy will be eliminated effective December 31, 2026, with the implementation of the new Respiratory Therapy Examination.

With the elimination of the CRT-to-Registry Admission Policy, if a credentialed practitioner does not earn the RRT credential before January 1, 2027, they must be a graduate of and have a minimum of an associate degree from an entry-into-practice respiratory therapy education program supported or accredited by CoARC to qualify for the Respiratory Therapy Examination. For a list of CoARC-accredited programs, visit coarc.com/students/find-an-accredited-program.

To qualify under the CRT-to-Registry Admission Policy one of the following must be met:

  • Be a CRT for at least four years prior to applying for the examination with at least 62 semester hours of college credit from a college or university accredited by its regional association or its equivalent. The 62 semester hours of college credit must include the following courses: anatomy and physiology, chemistry, microbiology, and mathematics; or
  • Be a CRT for at least two years prior to applying for the examination and must have earned a minimum of an associate degree from an accredited entry-level respiratory care education program; or
  • Be a CRT for at least two years prior to applying for the examination with a baccalaureate degree in an area other than respiratory care and at least 62 semester hours of college credit from a college or university accredited by its regional association or equivalent. The 62 semester hours of college credit must include the following courses: anatomy and physiology, chemistry, microbiology, and mathematics.

For questions, please email us at apply@nbrc.org, or call 913.895.4900.

/by Hilary Groninger