CRT - Certified Respiratory Therapist

Certified Respiratory Therapists work in various healthcare settings, from doctors’ offices to intensive care units. They examine patients with breathing problems and administer treatments to help them.

Graduates of an associate (or higher) degree program in Respiratory Therapy must be certified to practice in 49 U.S. states. The National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) gives two certifications by examination. The first option is the entry-level designation called the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT). CRTs who achieve a high enough score are eligible to take a second test which awards the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) certification.

Cost

• Initial Testing Fee: $190

• Retest Fee: $150

• International Applicants Additional Fee: $150

Test Format

Respiratory therapists must pass the Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) Examination to earn certification. Tests are administered through PSI Examination Services.

The TMC exam is computer-based, takes three hours, and contains 160 multiple-choice questions. Only 140 items are scored. The remaining 20 are pretest questions used to gather statistical data for future exams and don't affect the results. CRT candidates should study the TMC Detailed Content Outline.

The NBRC has determined two cut scores. Respiratory therapists must score 66% to pass. If the second higher cut score of 72% is met, the NBRC awards a CRT certificate, and the therapist is eligible to take the Clinical Simulation Exam for RRT certification.

Results

The exam is scored electronically. Pass/Fail results are available immediately. Those who fail can retest up to three times. After the third attempt, they must wait 120 days before testing again.

To apply for TMC Examination, candidates must be:

• 18 years of age

• A graduate of an accredited respiratory therapy degree program

Applications can be submitted anytime. There aren't any deadlines. Online applications are processed immediately. Paper applications can be mailed with the application fee for processing within 5 to 7 business days.

CRT certification is good for five years. The NBRC requires renewal through the Credential Maintenance Program (CMP). Therapists have four options to meet CMP requirements for CRT renewal. Options include: 

• 30 hours of Continuing Education (CE) credit

• Complete quarterly assessment with the required number of CEs

• Retake and pass the TMC exam

• Earn a new NBRC credential

Renewal Fees

• Credential Maintenance Program: $25 a year ($125 total) 

• TMC Examination: $190

The NBRC offers resources for exam candidates, including:

• Candidate Handbook.

• Free Practice Exam

• Self-Assessment Exam (Cost: $50)

Other related certifications include:

• Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT)

• Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist (RPFT)

• RRT - Neonatal/Pediatric Specialist (NPS)

• RRT - Sleep Disorders Specialist (SDS)

• RRT - Adult Critical Care Specialty (ACCS)