Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Practitioner Services & General FAQs

You must have an account and password before you can log in to order products and services. If you have not set up an account, click the First Time User link to create one. If you have already created an account, you may log in to order anytime.

Fees for NBRC products and services are discounted for credentialed practitioners with active NBRC member status:

Item Active Member Inactive Member
Credential Verification $5 $20
Lapel Pins $40 $60
Replacement Wallet Cards $5 $15
Duplicate Score Reports $25 $25
Replacement Certificates $10 $30
Annual Renewal $25 $25

To change your last name with the NBRC, send an email to info@nbrc.org and include your current name, your previous name, and your address. To change your first and last name, you must send a copy of official documentation of your name change and include your current name, previous name and current address.

To order a replacement certificate online:

  • Log in to the Practitioner Portal
    • click on the “Order Products” link in the navigation menu on the left side of the screen
    • click on the certificate you wish to purchase
    • click continue and follow on screen instructions to submit payment ($10 for practitioners with active status and $30 for inactive status)

Online orders will be processed and mailed within three weeks.

You may also mail your request and payment to NBRC, Attn: Certificate Copy, 10801 Mastin Street, Suite 300, Overland Park, KS 66210. Please allow three to four weeks for US mail delivery.

A letter of credential verification can confirm the information on each credential currently held for you.

There are two ways you may request a letter of credential verification.

Please allow two days for online requests and 7-10 days for processing mailed requests. In addition to these time frames, please allow 5-7 business days for US mail delivery.

To update your login information, send an email to info@nbrc.org and include your current name, address, the last four digits or your social security number and the email address you want to use for your login access.

Annual Fee

It is the mission of the NBRC to protect and enhance patient lives by promoting excellence in respiratory care. When you choose to submit your annual fee, you are not only demonstrating your commitment to the profession, you are also investing in our newest practitioners as they launch their careers.

Your annual fee helps maintain the costs of credentialing examinations, fund action for patient advocacy, fund research necessary to keep the credentialing system viable, and remains an important part of continued growth targeted at promoting the profession.

Whether you submit your annual fee for credential maintenance or to support the NBRC, this is another way to let excellence define you as a credentialed respiratory care practitioner. We encourage you to set a goal for submitting your annual fee every year.

Login now to pay your annual fee

If you are an NBRC credentialed respiratory care practitioner, you should pay your annual fee by December 31 each year.

Login now to pay your annual fee

Credential Maintenance Program (CMP) FAQs

Formerly known as the Continuing Competency Program (CCP)

As a credentialed practitioner, you already know that maintaining and enhancing the knowledge established on initial credentialing is a key component to professional development and career advancement, as well as patient care. Changes in accreditation standards encouraged the NBRC to evaluate how the Continuing Competency Program could become more valuable and meaningful to those who document their continued competencies and to the public served by these persons. As a result, key elements for a modified program were recommended to the NBRC by a Recertification Commission (stakeholder representatives including two people required to participate in the CCP). The CCP has been renamed the Credential Maintenance Program to better represent the purpose of the program.

For everyone whose mission involves protecting patient lives by ensuring quality respiratory care in the field, we all have one thing in common: EXCELLENCE defines us.

That’s why maintaining your credential(s) through the CMP is necessary to ensure your continued competence as respiratory care methodologies and technologies change over time. The CMP has three options to maintain your credentials; 1) earn another NBRC credential, 2) take quarterly assessments and/or document up to 30 continuing education credits, or 3) pass the same credentialing examination again. Your performance on the assessments will determine whether or not you have to also document CE with the NBRC.

Through assessments, continuing education or examination, maintaining your credential through CMP demonstrates your ongoing commitment to excellence and patient safety as a credentialed respiratory therapist or pulmonary function technologist.

The goal in using assessments is to strengthen the relationship between competencies of credential holders and expectations linked to those credentials. Quarterly assessments are a component of the CE option to maintain credentials through the promotion of learning. Practitioners will not be required to take the assessments but are encouraged to do so to demonstrate their competency and knowledge.

Each assessment is designed to focus on content that changes most rapidly and puts the public at highest risk. Practitioners who participate in the credential maintenance process were surveyed to identify changing content and public risk issues. New assessment items will be created each year, so content will continue to cover hot topics as they emerge. Assessments designed this way will be more meaningful and valuable in comparison to the current system that relies on an accumulation of general continuing education credits.

Each assessment question is in multiple-choice format with four potential answers to choose. Each question must be answered within five minutes of being displayed. Content of the assessments is focused on tasks that put the public at high risk and have a high pace of change. Assessments are taken in an open-book format which means you can access resources during the five minutes before selecting a response. However, no other person should help you.

The fee will remain the same at $125.00, collected annually in $25 increments over the 5-year credential period.

CE may be required depending on your assessment performance. Your assessment score and number of CE required will be updated each quarter on your credential maintenance dashboard within the Practitioner Portal. If your assessment score is high enough, no documentation of CE will be required to renew your credential(s). Other results will place you into one of two groups: those in the yellow zone who will be required to document 15 CE credits and those in the red zone who will be required to document 30 CE credits.

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.

Individuals who earn a specialty credential in the fourth quarter of 2018 or in the first nine months of 2019 will be eligible to participate in a pilot program of the new credential maintenance program. All new specialty credentials earned beginning October 1, 2019 will fall under the new program. CRT and RRT credentials earned after January 1, 2020 will participate in the new CMP.

Assessment Group Year of Implementation
RT 2020
PFT 2019
NPS 2019
SDS 2019
ACCS 2019

The assessment is accessible online at nbrc.org and may be completed on a mobile device, tablet, or personal computer. Some questions contain images and graphics whose details may be easier to see while using a device with a larger screen. Make the decision about the device you use before starting an assessment because the timer cannot be paused once a question is opened. The timer will continue despite closing a browser or powering off the device.

An email notifying you that an assessment is available will be sent each quarter. The assessment should be completed within 60 days of availability.

Assessment Group Credentials Number of Items Each Quarter Number of Items Each Year
RT CRT, RRT 10 40
PFT CPFT, RPFT 5 20
NPS CRT-NPS, RRT-NPS 5 20
SDS CRT-SDS, RRT-SDS 5 20
ACCS RRT-ACCS 5 20

Reviewing the specific detailed content outline (DCO) to identify your personal areas of strengths and weaknesses 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.

The DCO provides the number of questions you can expect for a one-year period and describes the content areas and complexity levels (recall, application, analysis) covered on each assessment. Tasks are identical to those found on the credentialing examination. However, because CMP assessments are purposely limited to content that put patients at increased risk and tasks that change rapidly, some tasks will not be included in the CMP assessments and are shaded on the DCO to indicate this.

To meet your individual needs as a credentialed respiratory care practitioner, we offer three options for maintaining your credential through our Credential Maintenance Program:

  • Option 1: Complete the quarterly assessment(s) for your credential(s) and, if needed, provide proof of completion of required hours of Category I Continuing Education (CE) acceptable to the NBRC, according to your assessment progress (see table below). Category I Continuing Education is defined as participation in an educational activity directly related to respiratory therapy or pulmonary function technology, which includes any of the following:
    • Lecture – A discourse given for instruction before an audience or through teleconference
    • Panel – A presentation of multiple views by several professionals on a given subject with none of the views considered a final solution
    • Workshop – A series of meetings for intensive, hands-on study or discussion in a specific area of interest
    • Seminar – An advanced study or discussion in a specific field of interest
    • Symposium – A conference of more than a single session organized for discussing a specific subject from various viewpoints and by various presenters
    • Distance Education – Includes materials such as text, Internet or CD, provided the proponent has included an independently scored test as part of the learning package
  • Option 2: Retake and pass the respective examination for the highest credential held that is subject to the Credential Maintenance Program.
  • Option 3: Pass an NBRC credentialing examination not previously completed.

At the NBRC, we intend for the completion of CE credit to coordinate with the requirements of state licensure agencies, which means we permit any course accepted by your state licensing board for the purposes of respiratory care licensure. If your state licensing board does not have its own specific course requirements, rest assured the NBRC will accept any course credits from the American Association for Respiratory Care Continuing Respiratory Care Education Program (AARC-CRCE®) as fulfillment of our Credential Maintenance Program requirements.

The NBRC will accept the number of hours accepted by your state licensing board.

If your state does not award credit, six (6) CEU hours will be accepted for successful completion of courses in BLS, ACLS, NRP and/or PALS but not more than 12 CEU hours will be accepted for any combination of these programs during your five (5) year credential cycle.

Scenarios Topics Linked to Credits Red Zone Requirement Yellow Zone Requirement Green Zone Requirement
CRT or RRT general respiratory 30 15 0
CPFT or RPFT pulmonary function or diagnostics technology 30 15 0
CRT or RRT and

CRT‐NPS or RRT‐NPS

general respiratory

neonatal/pediatric

15

15

7.5

7.5

0

0

CRT or RRT and

CRT‐SDS or RRT‐SDS

general respiratory

sleep testing and interventions

15

15

7.5

7.5

0

0

RRT and

RRT‐ACCS

general respiratory

adult critical care

15

15

7.5

7.5

0

0

CRT or RRT and

CPFT or RPFT

general respiratory

pulmonary function or diagnostics technology

15

15

7.5

7.5

0

0

CRT or RRT and

CRT‐NPS or RRT‐NPS and

CPFT or RPFT

general respiratory

neonatal/pediatric

pulmonary function or diagnostics technology

10

10

10

5

5

5

0

0

0

CRT or RRT and

CRT‐SDS or RRT‐SDS and

CPFT or RPFT

general respiratory

sleep testing and interventions

pulmonary function or diagnostics technology

10

10

10

5

5

5

0

0

0

RRT and

RRT‐ACCS and

CPFT or RPFT

general respiratory

adult critical care

pulmonary function or diagnostics technology

10

10

10

5

5

5

0

0

0

CRT or RRT and

CRT‐NPS or RRT‐NPS and

CRT‐SDS or RRT‐SDS

general respiratory

neonatal/pediatric

sleep testing and interventions

10

10

10

5

5

5

0

0

0

RRT and

RRT‐NPS and

RRT‐ACCS

general respiratory

neonatal/pediatric

adult critical care

10

10

10

5

5

5

0

0

0

RRT and

RRT‐SDS and

RRT‐ACCS

general respiratory

sleep testing and interventions

adult critical care

10

10

10

5

5

5

0

0

0

RRT and

RRT‐NPS and

RRT‐ACCS and

CPFT or RPFT

general respiratory

neonatal/pediatric

adult critical care

pulmonary function or diagnostics technology

15

5

5

5

7.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

0

0

0

0

RRT and

RRT‐SDS and

RRT‐ACCS and

CPFT or RPFT

general respiratory

sleep testing and interventions

adult critical care

pulmonary function or diagnostics technology

15

5

5

5

7.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

0

0

0

0

CRT or RRT and

CRT‐NPS or RRT‐NPS and

CRT‐SDS or RRT‐SDS and

CPFT or RPFT

general respiratory

neonatal/pediatric

sleep testing and interventions

pulmonary function or diagnostics technology

15

5

5

5

7.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

0

0

0

0

RRT and

RRT‐NPS and

RRT‐SDS and

RRT‐ACCS

general respiratory

neonatal/pediatric

sleep testing and interventions

adult critical care

15

5

5

5

7.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

0

0

0

0

RRT and

RRT‐NPS and

RRT‐SDS and

RRT‐ACCS and

CPFT or RPFT

general respiratory

neonatal/pediatric

sleep testing and interventions

adult critical care

pulmonary function or diagnostics technology

10

5

5

5

5

5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

0

0

0

0

0

Continuing education information must be submitted online through the NBRC Practitioner Portal. Please do not submit paper documents. After logging in, choose ‘Credential Maintenance’ from the menu. While you will be able to enter your CE course records at any time, you can only click the ‘Recertify Now’ button during the last six months before your expiration date.

After each assessment, you will be directed to your credential maintenance dashboard within the Practitioner Portal to view your progress. Progress is displayed in red, yellow, and green zones reflecting success while responding to assessment questions. The color-coded progress indicator will include responses from CRT or RRT assessments plus specialty assessments. For example, a therapist who has achieved RRT and RRT-NPS credentials will observe progress after one quarter that is based on 10 RRT questions plus 5 RRT-NPS questions for a total of 15 questions.

You will find learning content in your progress dashboard explaining more about the best response to each question. Continuing education should be sought that builds one’s knowledge about content the assessments cover. Each assessment question has been linked to high patient risk tasks.

When an individual has a credential that expires plus a lifetime credential, there will only be one opportunity to opt-in at the beginning of the 5-year cycle for the credential that expires. Opting-in signals an individual’s intent to access assessments linked to both the lifetime credential and the credential that expires. However, an individual may opt-out of participating for the lifetime credential at any time thereafter.

If you are within six months of credential expiration, you have the option of entering your CEUs online and paying a $250 reinstatement fee. Continuing Education Units must have been earned during the five-year credential term. If the preceding option is not utilized, you have two years following expiration to apply for testing and to reinstate your credential. You will be required to pay the new application fee and a $150 expired credential fee. If you successfully complete the examination, your credential will be reinstated without having to meet the then-current admission requirements. However, if two years lapse and you have not successfully passed the examination, you are required to apply as a new applicant and meet all admission policies in effect at that time. If you have more than one expired credential, you must apply for and pass all examinations to reinstate all expired credentials.

Credentialing standards were different at the time those credentials were earned. Imposing a new requirement for maintaining a credential after someone has started a professional career is different than creating a new requirement for someone who subsequently enters the profession. The NBRC believes that more of these practitioners may participate in the CMP if they know they cannot lose their credential by doing so. The patients served by these practitioners will be better protected because of participation and the learning that is expected to follow.

Only credentials earned beginning July 1, 2002 are subject to expiration and require taking part in the Continuing Competency Program. Credentials earned prior to July 1, 2002 are valid for a lifetime with no expiration date.

TMC Exam FAQs

Please ensure you meet the following requirements before applying for the TMC Examination:

1. Be 18 years of age or older.

and

2. Be a graduate of and have a minimum of an associate degree from a respiratory therapy education program supported or accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).

or

3. Be a CRT for at least four years and have 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

4. Be a CRT for at least two years and have earned a minimum of an associate degree from a respiratory therapy education program supported or accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).

or

5. Be a CRT for at least two years and have earned a baccalaureate degree in an area other than respiratory care and shall have 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.

or

6. Hold the Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists (CSRT) RRT credential.

You may apply online or submit a paper application and fee once you have met the admission requirements.

If applying and paying by credit card online, your application is processed immediately. If mailing your application and fee, your application will be processed within approximately five to seven business days. An email confirmation notice of eligibility will be sent to you, which includes a website and toll-free telephone number for you to contact to schedule an examination appointment.

If your eligibility cannot be confirmed, you will be notified by email of the additional information required to complete your application.

The TMC Examination costs $190 for new applicants and $150 for repeat applicants.

There are no application deadlines. If you meet the admissions requirements for an examination you may submit your application and fee at any time.

If you don’t receive an email confirmation of eligibility or an incomplete notice within two weeks of submitting your application, contact the NBRC. If your application is not on file, you will be asked to send a replacement application form and fee.

NBRC examinations are administered Monday through Saturday at more than 300 assessment centers across the country (except on nationally recognized holidays). Search for an assessment center near you.

Yes. If you are approved to take an examination and paid the appropriate fee, you may schedule online.​

A free TMC practice examination is available so you may familiarize yourself with the content and types of questions that will be included on the credentialing exam.

ATTENTION – By accessing this examination, you agree not to reproduce, distribute, disclose, offer for sale, or sell any portion of these copyrighted National Board for Respiratory Care, Inc. materials in any format. Failure to comply with these terms may result in disciplinary action by the National Board for Respiratory Care, Inc. including loss of your credential, losing your ability to retake an examination, and/or legal action related to copyright infringement.

TMC practice examination

If you are assessing your preparedness for the TMC Examination and feel you need more guidance than the free practice exam, there is a Self-Assessment Examination (SAE) available for purchase. The TMC SAE has the same number of questions as the credentialing examination.

ATTENTION – By accessing this examination, you agree not to reproduce, distribute, disclose, offer for sale, or sell any portion of these copyrighted National Board for Respiratory Care, Inc. materials in any format. Failure to comply with these terms may result in disciplinary action by the National Board for Respiratory Care, Inc. including loss of your credential, losing your ability to retake an examination, and/or legal action related to copyright infringement.

The testing time for the TMC Examination is three hours.

To begin your preparation in an informed and organized manner, you should know what to expect from the actual examination in terms of content areas tested. The detailed content outlines present the specific patient care settings and each of the content areas. The outlines can be used to get a general impression of the examination, and with closer inspection, can give you specific study direction. For example, you can determine the relative importance of each content area on the examination by reviewing the number of questions in each section.

TMC Detailed Content Outline – effective 1-2020

You will receive information about your score at the test center after completing the examination.

As indicated in the table below, candidates may attempt the Therapist Multiple-Choice and Clinical Simulation Examinations three times, after which the candidate will be required to wait a minimum of 120 days between any subsequent attempt. For the specialty credentialing examinations, including Pulmonary Function Technology, Neonatal/Pediatric Specialty, Sleep Disorders Specialty, and Adult Critical Care Specialty Examinations, candidates may attempt the exam two times, after which the candidate will be required to wait at least 180 days before sitting for the exam again.

Examination

Initial Attempts Without Waiting

Days Between Each Subsequent Attempt

Therapist Multiple-Choice

3

120

Clinical Simulation

3

120

Pulmonary Function Technology

2

180

Neonatal/Pediatric Specialty

2

180

Sleep Disorders Specialty

2

180

Adult Critical Care Specialty

2

180

As the respiratory profession continues to grow and flourish, we feel this is an important and necessary policy to implement in order to ensure caregiver competency and patient safety for years to come.

When you apply for an examination, your eligibility records are maintained for one year following application regardless of whether or not you schedule an exam. If you don’t actively pursue credentialing, your eligibility records are inactivated after one year. If you are a candidate whose records are inactivated, you must reapply as a new candidate and meet the most current admissions requirements to be eligible for the exam. Please note: if you have passed one of the examinations to earn the RRT Credential (TMC or CSE) and allow your application records to become inactivated, your passing performance will be nullified, so we encourage you to pursue credentialing in a timely manner after applying and receiving a confirmation of eligibility notice.

To support you through the entire process, we are committed to providing appropriate notices to candidates before their application records are inactivated, so we also encourage you to keep your contact information current with the NBRC.

There are two established cut scores for the Therapist Multiple-Choice Examination. If you achieve the low cut score, you will earn the CRT credential. If you achieve the high cut score, you will earn the CRT credential AND become eligible for the Clinical Simulation Examination (provided you meet the eligibility requirements and are eligible to earn the RRT credential). If you do not achieve a minimum of the low cut score, you must reapply for the TMC Examination.

No. You must meet the CSE eligibility requirements, regardless of examination score.

No. You can retake the TMC Examination as many times as necessary to regain RRT eligibility or to become eligible for the Clinical Simulation Examination without impacting the status of your current CRT credential. However, once you attempt the TMC Examination three times, a waiting period of a minimum of 120 days will be imposed before you will be able to sit for the exam again.

Foreign respiratory therapy education does not qualify for admission to the TMC Examination. You must have a minimum of an associate’s degree from an accredited respiratory therapy education program. View a list of accredited education programs.

CSE FAQs

Please ensure you meet the following requirements before applying for the Clinical Simulation Examination:

1. Be a CRT and have successfully completed the Therapist Written Examination (WRRT) on or before December 31, 2014; OR Be a CRT and have successfully completed the TMC Examination by achieving the high cut score on or after January 2015.

and

2. Be a graduate of and have a minimum of an associate degree from a respiratory therapy education program supported or accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).

or

3. Be a CRT for at least four years and have 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

4. Be a CRT for at least two years and have earned a minimum of an associate degree from a respiratory therapy education program supported or accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).

or

5. Be a CRT for at least two years and have earned a baccalaureate degree in an area other than respiratory care and shall have 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.

or

6. Hold the Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists (CSRT) RRT credential.

You may apply online or submit a paper application and fee once you have met the admission requirements.

If applying and paying by credit card online, your application is processed immediately. If mailing your application and fee, your application will be processed within approximately five to seven business days. An email confirmation notice of eligibility will be sent to you, which includes a website and toll-free telephone number for you to contact to schedule an examination appointment.

If your eligibility cannot be confirmed, you will be notified by email of the additional information required to complete your application.

The CSE costs $200 for both new and repeat applicants.

Yes, AARC MEMBERS are eligible for a one-time, $40 discount when applying for the first time for the following NBRC examinations:

– CSE
– PFT
– NPS
– SDS
– ACCS

You must register for the AARC Member Discount through the AARC website at https://www.aarc.org/aarc-membership/aarc-membership-benefits/nbrc-discount/. AARC will send an email after registering for the discount containing instructions about accessing the NBRC’s online examination application. You must begin the application process from the link in the instructions you receive from the AARC by email. The discount must be used at the time you submit your application and payment and will not be retroactively applied.

There are no application deadlines. If you meet the admissions requirements for an examination you may submit your application and fee at any time.

If you don’t receive an email confirmation of eligibility or an incomplete notice within two weeks of mailing your application, contact the NBRC. If your application is not on file, you will be asked to send a replacement application form and fee.

NBRC examinations are administered Monday through Saturday at more than 300 assessment centers across the country (except on nationally recognized holidays). Search for an assessment center near you.

Yes. If you are approved to take an examination and paid the appropriate fee, you may schedule online.

A free CSE practice examination  is available so you may familiarize yourself with the content and types of questions that will be included on the credentialing exam.

ATTENTION – By accessing this examination, you agree not to reproduce, distribute, disclose, offer for sale, or sell any portion of these copyrighted National Board for Respiratory Care, Inc. materials in any format. Failure to comply with these terms may result in disciplinary action by the National Board for Respiratory Care, Inc. including loss of your credential, losing your ability to retake an examination, and/or legal action related to copyright infringement.

CSE practice examination

If you are assessing your preparedness for the Clinical Simulation Examination and feel you need more guidance than the free practice exam, there is a Self-Assessment Examination (SAE) available for purchase.

ATTENTION – By accessing this examination, you agree not to reproduce, distribute, disclose, offer for sale, or sell any portion of these copyrighted National Board for Respiratory Care, Inc. materials in any format. Failure to comply with these terms may result in disciplinary action by the National Board for Respiratory Care, Inc. including loss of your credential, losing your ability to retake an examination, and/or legal action related to copyright infringement.

The testing time for the CSE is four hours.

To begin your preparation in an informed and organized manner, you should know what to expect from the actual examination in terms of content areas tested. The detailed content outlines present the specific patient care settings and each of the content areas. The outlines can be used to get a general impression of the examination, and with closer inspection, can give you specific study direction. For example, you can determine the relative importance of each content area on the examination by reviewing the number of questions in each section.

CSE Detailed Content Outline – effective 1-2020

You will receive information about your score at the test center after completing the examination.

As indicated in the table below, candidates may attempt the Therapist Multiple-Choice and Clinical Simulation Examinations three times, after which the candidate will be required to wait a minimum of 120 days between any subsequent attempt. For the specialty credentialing examinations, including Pulmonary Function Technology, Neonatal/Pediatric Specialty, Sleep Disorders Specialty, and Adult Critical Care Specialty Examinations, candidates may attempt the exam two times, after which the candidate will be required to wait at least 180 days before sitting for the exam again.

Examination

Initial Attempts Without Waiting

Days Between Each Subsequent Attempt

Therapist Multiple-Choice

3

120

Clinical Simulation

3

120

Pulmonary Function Technology

2

180

Neonatal/Pediatric Specialty

2

180

Sleep Disorders Specialty

2

180

Adult Critical Care Specialty

2

180

As the respiratory profession continues to grow and flourish, we feel this is an important and necessary policy to implement in order to ensure caregiver competency and patient safety for years to come.

When you apply for an examination, your eligibility records are maintained for one year following application regardless of whether or not you schedule an exam. If you don’t actively pursue credentialing, your eligibility records are inactivated after one year. If you are a candidate whose records are inactivated, you must reapply as a new candidate and meet the most current admissions requirements to be eligible for the exam. Please note: if you have passed one of the examinations to earn the RRT Credential (TMC or CSE) and allow your application records to become inactivated, your passing performance will be nullified, so we encourage you to pursue credentialing in a timely manner after applying and receiving a confirmation of eligibility notice.

To support you through the entire process, we are committed to providing appropriate notices to candidates before their application records are inactivated, so we also encourage you to keep your contact information current with the NBRC.

No. You must meet the CSE eligibility requirements, regardless of examination score.

If you passed the Therapist Written Examination (WRRT) prior to January 1, 2015, you are eligible for the CSE. If you passed the CSE but not the Therapist Written Examination (WRRT), you must take the TMC exam and pass at the high cut score to earn the RRT credential.

Yes. You must satisfy one of the following CRT-to-Registry admission requirements:

  • Be a CRT for at least four years prior to applying for the examinations associated with the RRT credential. In addition, you must have 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.
  • Be a CRT for at least two years prior to applying for the examinations associated with the RRT credential. In addition, you 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 examinations associated with the RRT credential. In addition, you must have earned a baccalaureate degree in an area other than respiratory care and have 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.

The NBRC offers a CRT-to-Registry transcript evaluation at no charge. To request a CRT-to-Registry evaluation, submit a copy of your college transcripts with a completed CRT-to-Registry Evaluation Form to our office. Do not submit an application or fee since you are only requesting an evaluation of your education. Please allow approximately three weeks for a response to your request.

Please note that an evaluation request with no transcript information attached may result in a significantly delayed response.

PFT Exam FAQs

You must be 18 years of age or older and have one of the following:

  • Have a minimum of an associate degree from a respiratory care education program that is supported or accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC); or
  • Be a CRT or RRT credentialed by the NBRC; or
  • 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. You must also have at least six months of clinical experience in the field of pulmonary function technology prior to applying for the examination.

You may apply online or submit a paper application and fee once you have met the admission requirements.

If applying and paying by credit card online, your application is processed immediately. If mailing your application and fee, your application will be processed within approximately five to seven business days. An email confirmation notice of eligibility will be sent to you containing a website and toll-free telephone number for you to contact to schedule an examination appointment.

If your eligibility cannot be confirmed, you will be notified by email of the additional information required to complete your application.

The PFT Examination costs $200 for new applicants and $170 for repeat applicants.

Yes, AARC MEMBERS are eligible for a one-time, $40 discount when applying for the first time for the following NBRC examinations:

– CSE
– PFT
– NPS
– SDS
– ACCS

You must register for the AARC Member Discount through the AARC website at https://www.aarc.org/aarc-membership/aarc-membership-benefits/nbrc-discount/. AARC will send an email after registering for the discount containing instructions about accessing the NBRC’s online examination application. You must begin the application process from the link in the instructions you receive from the AARC by email. The discount must be used at the time you submit your application and payment and will not be retroactively applied.

There are no application deadlines. If you meet the admissions requirements for an examination you may submit your application and fee at any time.

If you don’t receive an email confirmation of eligibility or an incomplete notice within two weeks after submitting your application, contact the NBRC. If your application is not on file, you will be asked to send a replacement application form and fee.

NBRC examinations are administered Monday through Saturday at more than 300 assessment centers across the country (except on nationally recognized holidays). Search for an assessment center near you.

Yes. If you are approved to take an examination and paid the appropriate fee, you may schedule online.

A free PFT practice examination is available so you may familiarize yourself with the content and types of questions that will be included on the credentialing exam.

ATTENTION – By accessing this examination, you agree not to reproduce, distribute, disclose, offer for sale, or sell any portion of these copyrighted National Board for Respiratory Care, Inc. materials in any format. Failure to comply with these terms may result in disciplinary action by the National Board for Respiratory Care, Inc. including loss of your credential, losing your ability to retake an examination, and/or legal action related to copyright infringement.

If you are assessing your preparedness for the PFT Examination and feel you need more guidance than the free practice exam, there is a Self-Assessment Examination (SAE) available for purchase. The PFT SAE has the same number of questions as the credentialing examination.

ATTENTION – By accessing this examination, you agree not to reproduce, distribute, disclose, offer for sale, or sell any portion of these copyrighted National Board for Respiratory Care, Inc. materials in any format. Failure to comply with these terms may result in disciplinary action by the National Board for Respiratory Care, Inc. including loss of your credential, losing your ability to retake an examination, and/or legal action related to copyright infringement.

The testing time for the PFT Examination is two hours.

To begin your preparation in an informed and organized manner, you should know what to expect from the actual examination in terms of content areas tested. The detailed content outlines present the specific patient care settings and each of the content areas. The outlines can be used to get a general impression of the examination, and with closer inspection, can give you specific study direction. For example, you can determine the relative importance of each content area on the examination by reviewing the number of questions in each section.

A Detailed Content Outline for the PFT Examination is available here.

As indicated in the table below, candidates may attempt the Therapist Multiple-Choice and Clinical Simulation Examinations three times, after which the candidate will be required to wait a minimum of 120 days between any subsequent attempt. For the specialty credentialing examinations, including Pulmonary Function Technology, Neonatal/Pediatric Specialty, Sleep Disorders Specialty, and Adult Critical Care Specialty Examinations, candidates may attempt the exam two times, after which the candidate will be required to wait at least 180 days before sitting for the exam again.

Examination

Initial Attempts Without Waiting

Days Between Each Subsequent Attempt

Therapist Multiple-Choice

3

120

Clinical Simulation

3

120

Pulmonary Function Technology

2

180

Neonatal/Pediatric Specialty

2

180

Sleep Disorders Specialty

2

180

Adult Critical Care Specialty

2

180

As the respiratory profession continues to grow and flourish, we feel this is an important and necessary policy to implement in order to ensure caregiver competency and patient safety for years to come.

You will receive information about your score at the test center after completing the examination.

When you apply for an examination, your eligibility records are maintained for one year following application regardless of whether or not you schedule an exam. If you don’t actively pursue credentialing, your eligibility records are inactivated after one year. If you are a candidate whose records are inactivated, you must reapply as a new candidate and meet the most current admissions requirements to be eligible for the exam. Please note: if you have passed one of the examinations to earn the RRT Credential (TMC or CSE) and allow your application records to become inactivated, your passing performance will be nullified, so we encourage you to pursue credentialing in a timely manner after applying and receiving a confirmation of eligibility notice.

To support you through the entire process, we are committed to providing appropriate notices to candidates before their application records are inactivated, so we also encourage you to keep your contact information current with the NBRC.

There are two established cut scores for the PFT Examination. If you achieve the low cut score, you will earn the CPFT credential. If you achieve the high cut score, you will earn the RPFT credential.

If you would like to earn the RPFT credential, you will have to take the PFT exam and pass at the high cut score.

No. You can retake the exam as many times as necessary to earn the RPFT credential without impacting the status of your current CPFT credential.

Not entirely. Unless the 2017 guidelines are specifically referenced by an item, all items about DLCO on the PFT Examination will continue to follow the 2005 guidelines.

ACCS Exam FAQs

You must be a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) for at least one year prior to applying for the ACCS Examination.

You may apply online or submit a paper application and fee once you have met the admission requirements.

If applying and paying by credit card online, your application is processed immediately. If mailing your application and fee, your application will be processed within approximately five to seven days. An email confirmation notice of eligibility will be sent to you, which includes a website and toll-free telephone number for you to contact to schedule an examination appointment.

If your eligibility cannot be confirmed, you will be notified by email of the additional information required to complete your application.

The ACCS Examination costs $300 for new applicants and $250 for reapplicants.

Yes, AARC MEMBERS are eligible for a one-time, $40 discount when applying for the first time for the following NBRC examinations:

– CSE
– PFT
– NPS
– SDS
– ACCS

You must register for the AARC Member Discount through the AARC website at https://www.aarc.org/aarc-membership/aarc-membership-benefits/nbrc-discount/. AARC will send an email after registering for the discount containing instructions about accessing the NBRC’s online examination application. You must begin the application process from the link in the instructions you receive from the AARC by email. The discount must be used at the time you submit your application and payment and will not be retroactively applied.

There are no application deadlines. If you meet the admissions requirements for an examination you may submit your application and fee at any time.

If you don’t receive an email confirmation of eligibility or an incomplete notice within two weeks of submitting your application, contact the NBRC. If your application is not on file, you will be asked to send a replacement application form and fee.

NBRC examinations are administered Monday through Saturday at more than 300 assessment centers across the country (except on nationally recognized holidays). Search for an assessment center near you.

Yes. If you are approved to take an examination and paid the appropriate fee, you may schedule online.

A free ACCS practice examination is available so you may familiarize yourself with the content and types of questions that will be included on the credentialing exam. This practice examination has 50 items and is shorter than the actual credentialing exam.

The examination committee and the NBRC Board of Trustees agreed that a practice examination that is only a third as long as the actual exam would expedite the process of creating live exams. The practice examination covers the content domains and cognitive item types in the same proportions as the live examinations and was developed by the same committee as the full exam.

ATTENTION – By accessing this examination, you agree not to reproduce, distribute, disclose, offer for sale, or sell any portion of these copyrighted National Board for Respiratory Care, Inc. materials in any format. Failure to comply with these terms may result in disciplinary action by the National Board for Respiratory Care, Inc. including loss of your credential, losing your ability to retake an examination, and/or legal action related to copyright infringement.

ACCS Free Practice Examination

If you are assessing your preparedness for the ACCS Examination and feel you need more guidance than the free practice exam, there is a Self-Assessment Examination (SAE) available for purchase. The ACCS SAE has the same number of questions as the credentialing examination.

ATTENTION – By accessing this examination, you agree not to reproduce, distribute, disclose, offer for sale, or sell any portion of these copyrighted National Board for Respiratory Care, Inc. materials in any format. Failure to comply with these terms may result in disciplinary action by the National Board for Respiratory Care, Inc. including loss of your credential, losing your ability to retake an examination, and/or legal action related to copyright infringement.

The testing time for the ACCS Examination is four hours.

To begin your preparation in an informed and organized manner, you should know what to expect from the actual examination in terms of content areas tested. The detailed content outlines present the specific patient care settings and each of the content areas.  The outlines can be used to get a general impression of the examination, and with closer inspection, can give you specific study direction. For example, you can determine the relative importance of each content area on the examination by reviewing the number of questions in each section.

ACCS Detailed Content Outline – Effective June 2018

You will receive information about your score at the test center after completing the examination.

When you apply for an examination, your eligibility records are maintained for one year following application regardless of whether or not you schedule an exam. If you don’t actively pursue credentialing, your eligibility records are inactivated after one year. If you are a candidate whose records are inactivated, you must reapply as a new candidate and meet the most current admissions requirements to be eligible for the exam. Please note: if you have passed one of the examinations to earn the RRT Credential (TMC or CSE) and allow your application records to become inactivated, your passing performance will be nullified, so we encourage you to pursue credentialing in a timely manner after applying and receiving a confirmation of eligibility notice.

To support you through the entire process, we are committed to providing appropriate notices to candidates before their application records are inactivated, so we also encourage you to keep your contact information current with the NBRC.

As indicated in the table below, candidates may attempt the Therapist Multiple-Choice and Clinical Simulation Examinations three times, after which the candidate will be required to wait a minimum of 120 days between any subsequent attempt. For the specialty credentialing examinations, including Pulmonary Function Technology, Neonatal/Pediatric Specialty, Sleep Disorders Specialty, and Adult Critical Care Specialty Examinations, candidates may attempt the exam two times, after which the candidate will be required to wait at least 180 days before sitting for the exam again.

Examination

Initial Attempts Without Waiting

Days Between Each Subsequent Attempt

Therapist Multiple-Choice

3

120

Clinical Simulation

3

120

Pulmonary Function Technology

2

180

Neonatal/Pediatric Specialty

2

180

Sleep Disorders Specialty

2

180

Adult Critical Care Specialty

2

180

As the respiratory profession continues to grow and flourish, we feel this is an important and necessary policy to implement in order to ensure caregiver competency and patient safety for years to come.

There are two sets of secondary test specifications. One set is for items that will engage you in thinking about ethics of the situation. The other set is defined by patient condition.

Addressing ethics content is important for this examination and credential. As an adult critical care specialist, you will engage in situations that include ethical elements, so part of producing a relevant examination is mirroring those situations. In contrast to a CRT Examination, which should assess whether a therapist is safe and competent to provide general respiratory care, ethical considerations are a part of what it means to be recognized as a specialist. Therefore, we have determined you must have a strong grasp on ethical issues before achieving the ACCS specialty credential.

Because the ACCS Examination is a specialty exam, it is more strongly oriented to clinical situations and less toward the technical elements of respiratory care. Without secondary specifications, we know there is a risk of letting one test form emphasize one type of patient condition too much or differently than another test form. For example, one test form could have five items about patients with congestive heart failure while another form might not include any. Therefore, secondary specifications are critical to aligning examination content with activities of specialists and standardizing test forms among candidates.

We conducted a job analysis study to ensure the examination content would be job-related and based on tasks performed by practitioners in this specialty area. To rate the importance of job tasks, we sent several thousand surveys to individuals who are involved in the delivery of care to patients in adult critical care settings.

In developing our ACCS program, we sought input from a variety of organizations representing adult critical care, and we collaborated with other organizations that have a vested interest in protecting the public and improving care for adult critical care patients. Because of this effort, our ACCS program is well respected and supported by several professional organizations, including the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC), the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST), the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) and the American Thoracic Society (ATS).

This specialty examination is unique to the daily tasks you’ll perform as an adult critical care specialist. It goes above and beyond general activities, so you can demonstrate your acquired skill level in this expanding specialty of respiratory care.

NPS Exam FAQs

To qualify for the NPS Examination, you must be an RRT.

You may apply online or submit a paper application and fee once you have met the admission requirements.

If applying and paying by credit card online, your application is processed immediately. If mailing your application and fee, your application will be processed within approximately five to seven business days. An email confirmation notice of eligibility will be sent to you, which includes a website and toll-free telephone number for you to contact to schedule an examination appointment.

If your eligibility cannot be confirmed, you will be notified by email of the additional information required to complete your application.

The NPS Examination costs $250 for new applicants and $220 for reapplicants.

Yes, AARC MEMBERS are eligible for a one-time, $40 discount when applying for the first time for the following NBRC examinations:

– CSE
– PFT
– NPS
– SDS
– ACCS

You must register for the AARC Member Discount through the AARC website at https://www.aarc.org/aarc-membership/aarc-membership-benefits/nbrc-discount/. AARC will send an email after registering for the discount containing instructions about accessing the NBRC’s online examination application. You must begin the application process from the link in the instructions you receive from the AARC by email. The discount must be used at the time you submit your application and payment and will not be retroactively applied.

There are no application deadlines. If you meet the admissions requirements for an examination you may submit your application and fee at any time.

If you don’t receive a confirmation of eligibility or an incomplete notice within two weeks of submitting your application, contact the NBRC. If your application is not on file, you will be asked to send a replacement application form and fee.

NBRC examinations are administered Monday through Saturday at more than 300 assessment centers across the country (except on nationally recognized holidays). Search for an assessment center near you.

Yes, if you are approved to take an examination and paid the appropriate fee, you may schedule online.

A free NPS practice examination is available so you may familiarize yourself with the content and types of questions that will be included on the credentialing exam.

ATTENTION – By accessing this examination, you agree not to reproduce, distribute, disclose, offer for sale, or sell any portion of these copyrighted National Board for Respiratory Care, Inc. materials in any format. Failure to comply with these terms may result in disciplinary action by the National Board for Respiratory Care, Inc. including loss of your credential, losing your ability to retake an examination, and/or legal action related to copyright infringement.

NPS Free Practice Exam

If you are assessing your preparedness for the NPS Examination and feel you need more guidance than the free practice exam, there is a Self-Assessment Examination (SAE) available for purchase. The NPS SAE has the same number of questions as the credentialing examination.

ATTENTION – By accessing this examination, you agree not to reproduce, distribute, disclose, offer for sale, or sell any portion of these copyrighted National Board for Respiratory Care, Inc. materials in any format. Failure to comply with these terms may result in disciplinary action by the National Board for Respiratory Care, Inc. including loss of your credential, losing your ability to retake an examination, and/or legal action related to copyright infringement.

The testing time for the NPS Examination is three hours.

To begin your preparation in an informed and organized manner, you should know what to expect from the actual examination in terms of content areas tested. The detailed content outlines present the specific patient care settings and each of the content areas.  The outlines can be used to get a general impression of the examination, and with closer inspection, can give you specific study direction. For example, you can determine the relative importance of each content area on the examination by reviewing the number of questions in each section.

NPS Detailed Content Outline – Effective October 2018

You will receive information about your score at the test center after completing the examination.

When you apply for an examination, your eligibility records are maintained for one year following application regardless of whether or not you schedule an exam. If you don’t actively pursue credentialing, your eligibility records are inactivated after one year. If you are a candidate whose records are inactivated, you must reapply as a new candidate and meet the most current admissions requirements to be eligible for the exam. Please note: if you have passed one of the examinations to earn the RRT Credential (TMC or CSE) and allow your application records to become inactivated, your passing performance will be nullified, so we encourage you to pursue credentialing in a timely manner after applying and receiving a confirmation of eligibility notice.

To support you through the entire process, we are committed to providing appropriate notices to candidates before their application records are inactivated, so we also encourage you to keep your contact information current with the NBRC.

As indicated in the table below, candidates may attempt the Therapist Multiple-Choice and Clinical Simulation Examinations three times, after which the candidate will be required to wait a minimum of 120 days between any subsequent attempt. For the specialty credentialing examinations, including Pulmonary Function Technology, Neonatal/Pediatric Specialty, Sleep Disorders Specialty, and Adult Critical Care Specialty Examinations, candidates may attempt the exam two times, after which the candidate will be required to wait at least 180 days before sitting for the exam again.

Examination

Initial Attempts Without Waiting

Days Between Each Subsequent Attempt

Therapist Multiple-Choice

3

120

Clinical Simulation

3

120

Pulmonary Function Technology

2

180

Neonatal/Pediatric Specialty

2

180

Sleep Disorders Specialty

2

180

Adult Critical Care Specialty

2

180

As the respiratory profession continues to grow and flourish, we feel this is an important and necessary policy to implement in order to ensure caregiver competency and patient safety for years to come.

We conducted a job analysis study to ensure the examination content would be job-related and based on tasks performed by practitioners in this specialty area. To rate the importance of job tasks, we sent several thousand surveys to individuals who are involved in the delivery of care to patients in adult critical care settings.

In developing our NPS program, we sought input from a variety of organizations representing neonatal/pediatric respiratory care, and we collaborated with other organizations that have a vested interest in protecting the public and improving care for neonatal and pediatric patients. Because of this effort, our NPS program is well respected and supported by several professional organizations, including the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC), the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST), the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) and the American Thoracic Society (ATS).

This specialty examination is unique to the daily tasks you’ll perform as a neonatal/pediatric respiratory care specialist. It goes above and beyond general activities, so you can demonstrate your acquired skill level in this specialized area of respiratory care.

SDS Exam FAQs

To qualify for the SDS Examination, you must meet one of the following requirements:

  • Be a Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) or Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) and have completed a CoARC accredited respiratory therapist education program that includes a sleep add-on track; or
  • Be a Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) for at least six months prior to applying for the SDS Examination; or
  • Be a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) for at least three months prior to applying for the SDS Examination.

You may apply online or submit a paper application and fee once you have met the admission requirements.

If applying and paying by credit card online, your application is processed immediately. If mailing your application and fee, your application will be processed within approximately five to seven business days. An email confirmation notice of eligibility will be sent to you, which includes a website and toll-free telephone number for you to contact to schedule an examination appointment.

If your eligibility cannot be confirmed, you will be notified by email of the additional information required to complete your application.

The Sleep Disorders Specialty Examination costs $300 for new applicants and $250 for reapplicants.

Yes, AARC MEMBERS are eligible for a one-time, $40 discount when applying for the first time for the following NBRC examinations:

– CSE
– PFT
– NPS
– SDS
– ACCS

You must register for the AARC Member Discount through the AARC website at https://www.aarc.org/aarc-membership/aarc-membership-benefits/nbrc-discount/. AARC will send an email after registering for the discount containing instructions about accessing the NBRC’s online examination application. You must begin the application process from the link in the instructions you receive from the AARC by email. The discount must be used at the time you submit your application and payment and will not be retroactively applied.

There are no application deadlines. If you meet the admissions requirements for an examination you may submit your application and fee at any time.

If you don’t receive a confirmation of eligibility or an incomplete notice within two weeks of submitting your application, contact the NBRC. If your application is not on file, you will be asked to send a replacement application form and fee.

NBRC examinations are administered Monday through Saturday at more than 300 assessment centers across the country (except on nationally recognized holidays). Search for an assessment center near you.

Yes, if you are approved to take an examination and paid the appropriate fee, you may schedule online.

A free SDS practice examination is available so you may familiarize yourself with the content and types of questions that will be included on the credentialing exam.

ATTENTION – By accessing this examination, you agree not to reproduce, distribute, disclose, offer for sale, or sell any portion of these copyrighted National Board for Respiratory Care, Inc. materials in any format. Failure to comply with these terms may result in disciplinary action by the National Board for Respiratory Care, Inc. including loss of your credential, losing your ability to retake an examination, and/or legal action related to copyright infringement.

If you are assessing your preparedness for the SDS Examination and feel you need more guidance than the free practice exam, there is a Self-Assessment Examination (SAE) available for purchase. The SDS SAE has the same number of questions as the credentialing examination.

ATTENTION – By accessing this examination, you agree not to reproduce, distribute, disclose, offer for sale, or sell any portion of these copyrighted National Board for Respiratory Care, Inc. materials in any format. Failure to comply with these terms may result in disciplinary action by the National Board for Respiratory Care, Inc. including loss of your credential, losing your ability to retake an examination, and/or legal action related to copyright infringement.

The testing time for the SDS Examination is four hours.

To begin your preparation in an informed and organized manner, you should know what to expect from the actual examination in terms of content areas tested. The detailed content outlines present the specific patient care settings and each of the content areas.  The outlines can be used to get a general impression of the examination, and with closer inspection, can give you specific study direction. For example, you can determine the relative importance of each content area on the examination by reviewing the number of questions in each section.

A Detailed Content Outline for the SDS Examination is available here.

You will receive information about your score at the test center after completing the examination.

As indicated in the table below, candidates may attempt the Therapist Multiple-Choice and Clinical Simulation Examinations three times, after which the candidate will be required to wait a minimum of 120 days between any subsequent attempt. For the specialty credentialing examinations, including Pulmonary Function Technology, Neonatal/Pediatric Specialty, Sleep Disorders Specialty, and Adult Critical Care Specialty Examinations, candidates may attempt the exam two times, after which the candidate will be required to wait at least 180 days before sitting for the exam again.

Examination

Initial Attempts Without Waiting

Days Between Each Subsequent Attempt

Therapist Multiple-Choice

3

120

Clinical Simulation

3

120

Pulmonary Function Technology

2

180

Neonatal/Pediatric Specialty

2

180

Sleep Disorders Specialty

2

180

Adult Critical Care Specialty

2

180

As the respiratory profession continues to grow and flourish, we feel this is an important and necessary policy to implement in order to ensure caregiver competency and patient safety for years to come.

When you apply for an examination, your eligibility records are maintained for one year following application regardless of whether or not you schedule an exam. If you don’t actively pursue credentialing, your eligibility records are inactivated after one year. If you are a candidate whose records are inactivated, you must reapply as a new candidate and meet the most current admissions requirements to be eligible for the exam. Please note: if you have passed one of the examinations to earn the RRT Credential (TMC or CSE) and allow your application records to become inactivated, your passing performance will be nullified, so we encourage you to pursue credentialing in a timely manner after applying and receiving a confirmation of eligibility notice.

To support you through the entire process, we are committed to providing appropriate notices to candidates before their application records are inactivated, so we also encourage you to keep your contact information current with the NBRC.

We conducted a job analysis study to ensure examination content would be job-related and based on tasks performed by practitioners in this specialty area. We sent several thousand surveys to individuals who are involved in the delivery of care to patients with sleep disorders to rate the importance of job tasks.

In developing our SDS program, we sought input from a variety of organizations representing sleep disorders testing and therapeutic intervention, and we collaborated with other organizations that have a vested interest in protecting the public and improving care for patients with sleep disorders. Because of this effort, our SDS program is well respected and supported by several professional organizations, including the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC), the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST), the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) and the American Thoracic Society (ATS).

The American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) requested that NBRC determine the desirability and feasibility of developing a specialty examination for respiratory therapists performing sleep disorders testing and therapeutic intervention. After following a long established, five-step process to determine if a new specialty examination in this area was warranted and feasible, we discovered the answer was overwhelmingly yes.

This specialty examination is unique to your daily tasks as a sleep disorders specialist. It goes above and beyond general activities so you can demonstrate your acquired skill level in this expanding specialty of respiratory care.

The AASM Manual for Sleep Scoring

The Specialty Examination for Respiratory Therapists Performing Sleep Disorders Testing and Therapeutic Intervention is for respiratory therapists already having earned the CRT or RRT credentials. Content of this specialty examination concentrates on sleep-focused testing and intervention conducted by respiratory therapists and requires respiratory therapy education for eligibility.