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HPTC National Respiratory Therapy Examination — Information & Free Practice

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About HPTC National Respiratory Therapy Examination

HPTC National Respiratory Therapy Examination · CA

Key exam facts

Provider
Health Professionals Testing Canada (HPTC) develops, administers, scores and reports the national RT examination. Its EDRC develops the questions; a contracted provider handles registration and administration, with online proctoring through ProctorU.
Format
Online, virtually proctored computer-based examination in two parts. Official formats are Type A single-best-answer (up to four choices), Type B multi-select and Type C sorting/ordering, with independent and case-based presentation. This practice bank uses four-choice single-answer questions.
Exam questions
Total questions: 200–240.
Time limit
150 minutes of answering time per part; 300 minutes in total across the two parts. The timer pauses for technical issues, but continues during permitted bathroom breaks. Approved individual accommodations may differ.
Passing score
The January 2027 manual describes a Bookmark standard-setting cut score, reviewed annually using the Cut Score Study and psychometric consultation. The manual and public candidate-information pages do not publish a fixed numerical passing percentage or scaled-score threshold.
Exam fee
January 4, 2027 administration: CAD $949 plus applicable tax (the upcoming-exam page states plus HST). The fee includes a 3.8% processing fee and access to the practice examination. No separate first-attempt/repeat-attempt fee is listed for this sitting.

Topics covered

  • Manage the airway, providing optimal ventilation (20%)

    • Manage airway
    • Manage artificial airway devices
    • Ensure patency of the airway
    • Provide optimal ventilation assistance
    • Perform manual ventilation
    • Provide optimal invasive and non-invasive mechanical ventilation support
    • Perform non-invasive lung volume recruitment techniques

  • Assess cardio respiratory status, incorporating cardio-pulmonary diagnostics, the use of invasive vascular procedures, and executing resuscitation (25.2%)

    • Assess patient’s cardio respiratory status
    • Collect pertinent information
    • Analyze the collected information
    • Interpret the collected data
    • Execute resuscitation
    • Perform distinction, assessment and rapid intervention as per resuscitation guidelines
    • Perform basic life support (BLS) protocols according to the current standards of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada
    • Perform adult advanced life support (ACLS) protocols according to the current standards of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada
    • Perform paediatric advanced life support (PALS) protocols according to the current standards of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada
    • Perform neonatal resuscitation program (NRP) protocols according to the current standards of the Canadian Paediatric Society
    • Administer cardio-pulmonary diagnostic tests
    • Perform and interpret electrocardiograms
    • Perform and interpret pulmonary function testing
    • Perform diagnostic tests for sleep related breathing disorders
    • Perform invasive vascular procedures
    • Manage vascular access through invasive procedures
    • Manage arterial lines
    • Perform an arterial, venous or capillary puncture
    • Assist with vascular access through central lines/pulmonary artery catheter
    • Collect samples using an indwelling catheter

  • Administer medications and substances, assist with anesthesia, and perform adjunct therapies (18%)

    • Administer medication and substances
    • Determine appropriateness and safety of medication and substances
    • Prepare medications and substances for administration
    • Administer medications and substances
    • Evaluate response to medication or substance administration
    • Perform anaesthesia assistance
    • Assist with anaesthesia
    • Manage homeostasis of a patient during anaesthesia
    • Manage the patient during sedation
    • Perform adjunct therapies
    • Insert oesophageal or gastric tubes
    • Assist in thoracic suction or drainage therapy
    • Provide thermal regulation
    • Manage transport of a patient

  • Provide evidence informed patient centered respiratory care, demonstrating critical thinking skills and communicating effectively (23.8%)

    • Provide evidence-informed, patient-centred, respiratory care
    • Demonstrate empathy and respect towards the patient and family
    • Establish partnerships with patients and families
    • Plan respiratory care
    • Apply evidence to practice
    • Communicate effectively
    • Demonstrate effective verbal and non-verbal communication skills
    • Communicate effectively through documentation
    • Use information communication technologies
    • Manage conflict and difficult behaviour
    • Demonstrate critical thinking and reasoning skills
    • Analyze the data pertinent to the clinical situation in order to make a decision
    • Prioritize clinical activities according to the analysis of the situation
    • Manage problems

  • Optimize patient safety, implementing preventative measures to ensure health and safety (13%)

    • Implement preventive measures to ensure health and safety
    • Analyze the risk posed by a clinical situation
    • Apply infection prevention and control precautions
    • Manage biohazardous materials
    • Handle dangerous substances and materials
    • Adhere to Canadian Standards Association (CSA) standards for medical equipment
    • Handle medical gases/liquids safely
    • Exercise the role of RT in the event of an institutional disaster and mass casualty
    • Use respiratory care equipment and supplies safely
    • Apply the principles of the Occupational Safety, Health and Wellness (OSH&W) program
    • Manage stress
    • Optimize patient safety
    • Contribute to a culture of patient safety
    • Manage patient safety risks
    • Respond to and report patient safety incidents

How to prepare

Work through the topics, read the explanation after each answer, and revisit the areas where you miss questions. Use the official outline and reference materials below to guide your study.

These independent practice questions are not actual exam items and do not guarantee a passing result.

Frequently asked questions

What is the exam format?

Online, virtually proctored computer-based examination in two parts. Official formats are Type A single-best-answer (up to four choices), Type B multi-select and Type C sorting/ordering, with independent and case-based presentation. This practice bank uses four-choice single-answer questions.

How many questions are on the exam?

Total questions: 200–240.

How long is the exam?

150 minutes of answering time per part; 300 minutes in total across the two parts. The timer pauses for technical issues, but continues during permitted bathroom breaks. Approved individual accommodations may differ.

What is the passing score?

The January 2027 manual describes a Bookmark standard-setting cut score, reviewed annually using the Cut Score Study and psychometric consultation. The manual and public candidate-information pages do not publish a fixed numerical passing percentage or scaled-score threshold.

How much does the exam cost?

January 4, 2027 administration: CAD $949 plus applicable tax (the upcoming-exam page states plus HST). The fee includes a 3.8% processing fee and access to the practice examination. No separate first-attempt/repeat-attempt fee is listed for this sitting.

Official sources and references

Confirm current exam arrangements with the exam provider.