Becoming a Certified Respiratory Therapist

If you have decided to become a respiratory therapist, you have made an excellent career choice. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, this is an occupation that is expected to grow faster than average during the next decade.

Medical advances and healthier lifestyles have led to a substantial increase in the numbers of people that are more likely to need the services of a respiratory therapist—the middle aged and the elderly.

Will that respiratory therapist be YOU?

The answer can be YES, but only if you graduate from a special training program and then work on getting certified as a respiratory therapist.

What is a Respiratory Therapist?

A respiratory therapist treats patients who have breathing disorders or cardiovascular problems. They evaluate, diagnose, and monitor such conditions as emphysema, chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, and asthma.

Since breathing is essential to life, a respiratory therapist has a huge responsibility to his or her patients.

Some of the duties of a respiratory therapist include:

  • Interviewing patients
  • Running diagnostic tests
  • Explaining treatment options to patients
  • Adjusting medical machinery
  • Administering oxygen to patients
  • Checking the levels of oxygen in patients’ blood

…to name just a few.

Educational Requirements to be a Respiratory Therapist

You must have at least a 2-year associate’s degree from an accredited respiratory therapist-training program in order to enter this occupational field. Although you can sometimes get an entry-level position if you just have a certificate degree, this practice is becoming less common.

Today, you need an associate’s degree to secure an entry-level position in respiratory therapy.

Accreditation Requirements for a Respiratory Therapy Training Program

Before you register for any respiratory therapy-training program, make sure that it is registered by at least one of these two agencies:

  • The Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) or
  • The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)

This is an absolute must if you want to become a respiratory therapist. In order to become certified—a requirement in most states for working as a respiratory therapist—you must have graduated from a respiratory therapy-training program that has been accredited by one of these two agencies.

Getting Certified as a Respiratory Therapist

You can become a certified respiratory therapist if you have:

  • Graduated from a respiratory therapy program that has been accredited by either the CoARC or the CAAHEP

And then…

  • Passed a comprehensive exam administered by The National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC)

How do I Register for the Exam?

There are two ways that you can register for the CRT exam.

  1. Apply online at the NBRC website
  2. Download an application from the NBRC website, fill it out, then mail it to the NBRC

If you apply online, you may immediately schedule your examination appointment. If you mail the application to the NBRC, it will be processed within two weeks. A confirmation notice will then be sent to you along with instructions on scheduling your exam. In either case, you must pay the application fee that is listed on the NBRC’s website.

How is the CRT Examination Conducted?

There are over 150 testing centers in the United States. You must schedule your exam at one of these testing centers within 3 days of your preferred examination date. .

The CRT examination covers three major areas: therapeutic procedure initiation and modification, patient data and evaluation, and equipment application and cleanliness. The exam contains 160 multiple-choice questions, which you must answer within a 3 hour time period.

Once you have passed this exam, the NBRC will award you a Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) license.

Top Respiratory Therapist Schools

  • Grand Canyon University

    If you are driven to pursue a higher standard of success and require flexibility in your schedule to get there, Grand Canyon University, one of the Top 10 Christian colleges, is the right choice for you! GCU emphasizes individual attention for both traditional undergraduate students, as well as the working professional. With our cutting-edge curriculum, you will gain the real-world experience you need to succeed in today’s global marketplace. Online and campus-based bachelor’s and master’s degree programs are offered through the College of Education, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Ken Blanchard College of Business, and the College of Liberal Arts.

  • Platt College

    Find out where the future can take you with an outstanding college education. At Platt College, you’ll find the career-specific programs and training for the careers you really want. Come explore a variety of career paths that fit your lifestyle in a positive learning environment that combines real-world experience with small, private college instruction.

  • Carrington College

    Carrington College®, a recognized leader in private education, opened in 1976 and currently provides practical, real-world education to more than 4,000 students annually. Carrington College® offers small classes with hands-on learning taught by experienced faculty.

  • ATI Career Training Center

    For more than three decades, ATI has operated schools throughout Texas, Florida, New Mexico, Arizona, and Oklahoma with the primary objective of preparing its graduates for rewarding careers. These exciting employment opportunities include such fields as health care, personal fitness and wellness, business technology, information technology, automotive repair, air conditioning and refrigeration repair, and welding.

    At ATI you are a member of our extended family. Faculty and staff work with you to achieve your educational and career training objectives and secure the necessary skills you need to be successful in today’s competitive workplace environment.

    We have the experience, the tools, the instructors and the student support and benefits to help you change your life and earn a new career! Make today “the first day of the rest of your life” & make the call that will change your life and get you on the right track toward a rewarding future.

  • Sanford-Brown Institute

    Sanford-Brown can help prepare you for a rewarding career in health and dental care, business, paralegal, criminal justice or information technology. With nearly 20 campuses in the Sanford-Brown Institute and Sanford-Brown College divisions, selecting a school that suits your particular career training and education needs is easy.

  • Sanford-Brown College

    For over 140 years, Sanford-Brown College has provided career-oriented postsecondary educational programs. Our institution offers focused, innovative, quality short-term programs in the fields of business and healthcare. At Sanford-Brown, we have focused our study programs, which enable you the opportunity to develop your skills effectively to meet your specific career goals. Plus, our programs focus on the essential concepts and skills most employers look for in entry-level employees. Our goal is to provide you with the practical information and experience you need to get your foot in the door. The secret to our success is that we do not require students to take courses that are not directly supportive of their career goals.

  • Concorde Career College

    With over 15 years of experience in preparing adults for rewarding careers, Concorde is a recognized leader in training Healthcare Professionals. We offer short, manageable programs with day and evening classes to fit your busy schedule.

  • Kaplan Career Institute

    At Kaplan Career Institute, we provide affordable, career-focused programs that not only meet the demands of the market, but also the demands of your busy life. We offer day and evening classes to accommodate your busy schedule. Our accelerated curricula give you the opportunity to earn a diploma in as little as 9 to 15 months or an associate’s degree in less than 2 years. Our instructors have professional experience and provide an inside look into some of today’s hottest careers.

    Kaplan Higher Education or its authorized agents and representatives may contact me via email or telephone to discuss these and other educational opportunities in the future.

  • American Career College

    American Career College (ACC) offers training to students interested in pursuing a career in the fast-growing healthcare industry.* ACC’s three campuses in Los Angeles, Ontario, and Orange County all offer hands-on training with the same tools and technology found in professional healthcare facilities.

    ACC’s faculty and staff are committed to helping students achieve their educational goals. Our faculty members draw upon their own experiences in the healthcare industry to provide our students with in-depth training and education. All programs are a blend of classroom and hands-on training, with many programs ending with an externship in a local healthcare facility.

  • Keiser University

    At Keiser University we are here to help you succeed by providing the professional and academic foundation to meet your educational goals and objectives. Keiser University continues to be a valuable partner to employers, the community, and, above all, a valued choice for students serious about their education and career.