How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in California

Respiratory Therapist Education Requirements in CA

To obtain a respiratory therapist license in California, you will need to meet certain education or training requirements set by the Respiratory Care Board (RCB) of California. These requirements include the following:

RT Education Requirements: California requires respiratory therapists to have at least an associate degree from an education program for respiratory care. The program must be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC), and it also needs to be from an institution or university that is accredited by a regional accreditation agency or association recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Alternate Requirements: The RCB may choose to waive educational requirements for a prospective licensee if the applicant has other training or experience that the board considers to be appropriate for the safe and competent practice of respiratory care.

These exceptions may include:

• Sufficient work experience
• Good standing of licensure in another state
• Previous good standing of licensure in California
• Sufficient

It usually takes about two years or less to complete an associate degree program. The Respiratory Therapy program at American Career College can be completed in as little as 20 months.

Licensure Requirements: How Do You Become Licensed As a Respiratory Therapist in California?

Once you have met the education or training/work experience requirements, you will need to take certain steps to obtain your so you can work as an RT in California.

1. Submitting an official copy of your transcript(s) demonstrating that you earned at least an associate degree from an accredited respiratory care program.
2. Providing proof that you obtained a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential from the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC). (An RRT credential requires that you pass certain exams. See the next section for more information.) You must also submit a passport photo and pay a $300 application fee.

See the full instructions for more details about what you will need to apply for an RCP license in California.

What’s on the Exams for the RRT Credential?

In order to receive an RRT credential from the National Board of Respiratory Care, you must first pass the Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) Examination and the Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE).

These exams are designed to objectively measure the essential knowledge, skills, and abilities that are required of respiratory therapists.

Here’s what you need to know about the two NBRC exams for respiratory therapists:

TMC Overview:

• The exam includes 160 multiple-choice questions (140 scored items and 20 pretest items).
• You will have three hours to complete the exam.
• You must receive a “high cut” score (the higher-threshold minimum score) to be eligible for the Clinical Simulation Exam and the RRT credential.
• If you receive the “low cut” score (the lower-threshold minimum score), you will earn a Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credential instead of an RRT credential.
  • A CRT is an entry-level credential while an RRT is a more advanced credential. While some states may allow individuals with a CRT to work as respiratory therapists, California requires the RRT credential for licensure and practice as a respiratory therapist in the state. Individuals who passed the CRT exam prior to Jan. 1, 2015 are not required to have an RRT credential for licensure.

CSE Overview:

• The exam includes 22 problems (20 scored items and two pretest items).
• You will have four hours to complete the exam.
• Each problem discusses a clinical setting and patient situation, which helps to simulate reality for the clinical practice of respiratory care.
• Passage of the CSE is required to earn your RRT credential.

The three main areas covered in both the TMC and CST exams include:

1. Patient data
2. Troubleshooting and quality control of devices, along with infection control
3. Initiation and modification of interventions

You may be interested in these additional resources as you prepare for your exams:

• TMC Detailed Content Outline
• CSE Detailed Content Outline
• Assessment centers where you can schedule your exams

You can also find exam FAQs, access to free practice exams, information about paid self-assessment exams, and more on the NBRC’s RRT page.

Ready to Get Started on Your Journey to Becoming a Respiratory Therapist?

American Career College can help you lay the right educational foundation needed to achieve your goals. In our CoARC-accredited Respiratory Therapy program, you can earn your associate degree in as little as 20 months.

The RT program is blended, allowing you to complete the program through a combination of online study and hands-on instruction at one of our three Southern California campuses in Los Angeles, Ontario, or Anaheim.

Once the program is completed, students are eligible to take the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) and RRT exams (written and clinical simulation) offered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).

Learn more about the Respiratory Therapy program at ACC and apply today!