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New Hampshire Respiratory Therapy — Requirements & Free Practice

US-NH · License preparation

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Conditional Respiratory Care Practitioner License

Respiratory-care license issued, renewed, restored, or reinstated subject to individualized conditions or limitations.

Licensing authority: New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification, Executive Director in consultation with the Advisory Board of Respiratory Care Practitioners · Application information

Endorsement licensure with individualized license conditions
Application
Submit the universal initial-license application, required documentation and fees unless exempt, license verification, and criminal history records check under RSA 310:17, RSA 326-E:12, and Plc 313.03-05.
Education
The licensing jurisdiction must require graduation from an accredited respiratory-care education program specified in Plc 313.54(a).
Examination timing
The NBRC examination qualification may have been met before applying; a prior passing performance on a currently offered registered examination remains an examination leaf. This route does not necessarily require sitting the examination again.
Foreign credentials
When endorsement is based on a foreign-jurisdiction license, provide evaluation by a member of NACES or AICE under Plc 313.12(a). Foreign examinations are applicant conditions and do not replace the registered NBRC examinations expressly named by Plc 313.54.
License conditions
Under Plc 311.06, conditions relate directly to licensed activity and are no more than reasonably necessary to assure legal compliance or minimize public harm; the applicant may challenge them through the stated appeal route. Conditions do not create an unidentified state examination.
Qualifying license
Hold an active, non-temporary, unencumbered license in good standing from a jurisdiction with substantially similar requirements; provide primary-source verification. Plc 313.54 defines the respiratory-care education and NBRC CRT-or-RRT examination qualifications of the licensing jurisdiction.
Initial respiratory care licensure with individualized license conditions
Application
Submit the universal initial application and profession-specific documentation, application-related fees unless exempt, and truthful information, including education, NBRC certification, relevant practice history, and license and character disclosures under Plc 304 and Plc 1504.
Board checklist discrepancy
The checklist marked Rev. 02/2026 states: c. Proof of completion of the proctored examination administered by the NCTRC, which may be a copy of the applicant’s NCTRC certification. This names another profession's examination and is retained as the Board's documentary demand; RSA 326-E:3(II) and Plc 1504.02 control respiratory-care examination adoption.
Conditional employment
Under RSA 326-E:12(VII), an applicant may work conditionally for up to 90 calendar days while background results are pending, under direct supervision and with written attestation that no disqualifying history exists. This employment authorization is an applicant condition, not an additional issued license identity.
Criminal history
RSA 326-E:12 requires criminal-history authorization and fingerprints for initial, reinstatement, and conditional applications; the applicant bears the cost. Active Department of Defense military security clearance is accepted in lieu of the background check.
Education
Satisfy one of the education alternatives in RSA 326-E:3(I), plus all initial licensing requirements; an individually imposed limitation changes permitted practice rather than the NBRC examination identity.
Exam crosswalk
The frozen TMC version is the currently offered examination used for CRT; the RRT alternative involves the frozen TMC and CSE versions. This crosswalk was checked against the current owner pages at https://www.nbrc.org/examinations/crt/ and https://www.nbrc.org/examinations/rrt/. No national identity, version, scoring, registration boundary, or outline is redefined.
License conditions
Under Plc 311.06, conditions relate directly to licensed activity and are no more than reasonably necessary to assure legal compliance or minimize public harm; the applicant may challenge them through the stated appeal route. Conditions do not create an unidentified state examination.
Nbrc credential
Maintain current NBRC certification and arrange for NBRC examination scores to be sent directly to the licensing bureau. CRT or RRT is accepted; RRT is not mandatory when the CRT qualification is satisfied.
Professional character
The applicant must be of good professional character and certify under oath that no professional licensing investigation is pending and that credentials have not been suspended or revoked, subject to the specific remedial route and its required disclosures.
Recent practice and self assessment
RSA 326-E:3(IV) addresses applicants without at least 500 practice hours in each of the preceding four years. Plc 1504.13 specifies previously licensed applicants without that recent practice: during the calendar year immediately before applying, complete 12 contact hours of approved respiratory-care review courses, six additional authorized contact hours, and pass all parts of the NBRC self-assessment examination for the highest NBRC credential held; scores must be sent directly by NBRC. The currently offered NBRC self-assessment examination is absent from the supplied nationwide registrations and is recorded here rather than substituted with a credentialing-examination version.
Renewal of a respiratory care license with individualized conditions
Conduct and documentation
Meet Plc 1508.01 eligibility and Plc 308 renewal requirements, pay applicable fees and penalties, submit truthful renewal materials and current NBRC certification, and retain CE evidence for the current and most recent renewal periods; provide it for an audit when directed.
Continuing competence
Complete 12 contact hours during the two-year license period; at least half must relate directly and primarily to clinical respiratory care. The remaining hours may cover teaching, supervision, curriculum, trans-disciplinary skills, administration, research, ECMO, leadership, or emergency management under Plc 1507.04.
Continuing education waiver
Plc 1507.06 provides a full waiver for at least 80 percent of the license period on active military duty and a half waiver for more than 50 but less than 80 percent, on request with service verification.
License conditions
Under Plc 311.06, conditions relate directly to licensed activity and are no more than reasonably necessary to assure legal compliance or minimize public harm; the applicant may challenge them through the stated appeal route. Conditions do not create an unidentified state examination.
Nb rc maintenance
Maintain continuous NBRC credentials and submit proof of current certification under Plc 1507.03 and Plc 1508.04. Credential maintenance itself does not require retaking every credentialing examination.
Optional examination credit
Under Plc 1507.09, an examination not previously passed for a credential more advanced than the one currently held may supply 12 contact hours. Examination leaves express that recognized examination pathway; non-examination continuing-education activities remain available and the applicant need not take an examination when another accepted activity or waiver satisfies the requirement.
Other continuing education
College courses, live programming, presentations, research, BLS/ACLS/PALS/NRP courses, instruction, in-service training, publications, committees, and self-directed study may provide credit under Plc 1507.04 and 1507.07-18. Any end-of-course examination not resolved to an identifiable registered profession examination is a condition, not a leaf.
Unregistered nationwide examinations
Plc 1507.09 also accepts NBRC pulmonary function technologist examination; NBRC neonatal and pediatric respiratory care specialty examination; NBRC sleep disorders testing and therapeutic intervention respiratory care specialist examination; NBRC adult critical care specialist examination; ELSO Adult ECMO Certification (E-AEC) examination; and National Certification Corporation Certified in Neonatal Pediatric Transport (C-NPT) examination. These currently offered examinations have no versions in the supplied national registrations and remain applicant conditions pending nationwide registration.
Conditional reinstatement of an expired suspended license
Conduct and documentation
Meet Plc 1508.01 eligibility and Plc 308 renewal requirements, pay applicable fees and penalties, submit truthful renewal materials and current NBRC certification, and retain CE evidence for the current and most recent renewal periods; provide it for an audit when directed.
Continuing competence
Complete 12 contact hours during the two-year license period; at least half must relate directly and primarily to clinical respiratory care. The remaining hours may cover teaching, supervision, curriculum, trans-disciplinary skills, administration, research, ECMO, leadership, or emergency management under Plc 1507.04.
Continuing education waiver
Plc 1507.06 provides a full waiver for at least 80 percent of the license period on active military duty and a half waiver for more than 50 but less than 80 percent, on request with service verification.
Eligibility
Meet the expired-suspension reinstatement window, renewal and competence requirements, all suspension-order conditions and penalties; conditional restoration requires notice and an opportunity to be heard.
License conditions
Under Plc 311.06, conditions relate directly to licensed activity and are no more than reasonably necessary to assure legal compliance or minimize public harm; the applicant may challenge them through the stated appeal route. Conditions do not create an unidentified state examination.
Nb rc maintenance
Maintain continuous NBRC credentials and submit proof of current certification under Plc 1507.03 and Plc 1508.04. Credential maintenance itself does not require retaking every credentialing examination.
Optional examination credit
Under Plc 1507.09, an examination not previously passed for a credential more advanced than the one currently held may supply 12 contact hours. Examination leaves express that recognized examination pathway; non-examination continuing-education activities remain available and the applicant need not take an examination when another accepted activity or waiver satisfies the requirement.
Other continuing education
College courses, live programming, presentations, research, BLS/ACLS/PALS/NRP courses, instruction, in-service training, publications, committees, and self-directed study may provide credit under Plc 1507.04 and 1507.07-18. Any end-of-course examination not resolved to an identifiable registered profession examination is a condition, not a leaf.
Unregistered nationwide examinations
Plc 1507.09 also accepts NBRC pulmonary function technologist examination; NBRC neonatal and pediatric respiratory care specialty examination; NBRC sleep disorders testing and therapeutic intervention respiratory care specialist examination; NBRC adult critical care specialist examination; ELSO Adult ECMO Certification (E-AEC) examination; and National Certification Corporation Certified in Neonatal Pediatric Transport (C-NPT) examination. These currently offered examinations have no versions in the supplied national registrations and remain applicant conditions pending nationwide registration.
Conditional restoration of an unexpired suspended license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Eligibility
Meet the timely restoration requirements for an unexpired suspended license and every suspension-order and correction-plan obligation; Plc 312.04(c)(2) permits conditional restoration with prior notice and opportunity to be heard. No independently identified examination is imposed by this restoration provision.
License conditions
Under Plc 311.06, conditions relate directly to licensed activity and are no more than reasonably necessary to assure legal compliance or minimize public harm; the applicant may challenge them through the stated appeal route. Conditions do not create an unidentified state examination.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Conditional reinstatement after revocation
Application
Submit the universal initial application and profession-specific documentation, application-related fees unless exempt, and truthful information, including education, NBRC certification, relevant practice history, and license and character disclosures under Plc 304 and Plc 1504.
Board checklist discrepancy
The checklist marked Rev. 02/2026 states: c. Proof of completion of the proctored examination administered by the NCTRC, which may be a copy of the applicant’s NCTRC certification. This names another profession's examination and is retained as the Board's documentary demand; RSA 326-E:3(II) and Plc 1504.02 control respiratory-care examination adoption.
Conditional employment
Under RSA 326-E:12(VII), an applicant may work conditionally for up to 90 calendar days while background results are pending, under direct supervision and with written attestation that no disqualifying history exists. This employment authorization is an applicant condition, not an additional issued license identity.
Conduct and documentation
Meet Plc 1508.01 eligibility and Plc 308 renewal requirements, pay applicable fees and penalties, submit truthful renewal materials and current NBRC certification, and retain CE evidence for the current and most recent renewal periods; provide it for an audit when directed.
Continuing competence
Complete 12 contact hours during the two-year license period; at least half must relate directly and primarily to clinical respiratory care. The remaining hours may cover teaching, supervision, curriculum, trans-disciplinary skills, administration, research, ECMO, leadership, or emergency management under Plc 1507.04.
Continuing education waiver
Plc 1507.06 provides a full waiver for at least 80 percent of the license period on active military duty and a half waiver for more than 50 but less than 80 percent, on request with service verification.
Criminal history
RSA 326-E:12 requires criminal-history authorization and fingerprints for initial, reinstatement, and conditional applications; the applicant bears the cost. Active Department of Defense military security clearance is accepted in lieu of the background check.
Exam crosswalk
The frozen TMC version is the currently offered examination used for CRT; the RRT alternative involves the frozen TMC and CSE versions. This crosswalk was checked against the current owner pages at https://www.nbrc.org/examinations/crt/ and https://www.nbrc.org/examinations/rrt/. No national identity, version, scoring, registration boundary, or outline is redefined.
License conditions
Under Plc 311.06, conditions relate directly to licensed activity and are no more than reasonably necessary to assure legal compliance or minimize public harm; the applicant may challenge them through the stated appeal route. Conditions do not create an unidentified state examination.
Nb rc maintenance
Maintain continuous NBRC credentials and submit proof of current certification under Plc 1507.03 and Plc 1508.04. Credential maintenance itself does not require retaking every credentialing examination.
Nbrc credential
Maintain current NBRC certification and arrange for NBRC examination scores to be sent directly to the licensing bureau. CRT or RRT is accepted; RRT is not mandatory when the CRT qualification is satisfied.
Optional examination credit
Under Plc 1507.09, an examination not previously passed for a credential more advanced than the one currently held may supply 12 contact hours. Examination leaves express that recognized examination pathway; non-examination continuing-education activities remain available and the applicant need not take an examination when another accepted activity or waiver satisfies the requirement.
Other continuing education
College courses, live programming, presentations, research, BLS/ACLS/PALS/NRP courses, instruction, in-service training, publications, committees, and self-directed study may provide credit under Plc 1507.04 and 1507.07-18. Any end-of-course examination not resolved to an identifiable registered profession examination is a condition, not a leaf.
Professional character
The applicant must be of good professional character and certify under oath that no professional licensing investigation is pending and that credentials have not been suspended or revoked, subject to the specific remedial route and its required disclosures.
Recent practice and self assessment
RSA 326-E:3(IV) addresses applicants without at least 500 practice hours in each of the preceding four years. Plc 1504.13 specifies previously licensed applicants without that recent practice: during the calendar year immediately before applying, complete 12 contact hours of approved respiratory-care review courses, six additional authorized contact hours, and pass all parts of the NBRC self-assessment examination for the highest NBRC credential held; scores must be sent directly by NBRC. The currently offered NBRC self-assessment examination is absent from the supplied nationwide registrations and is recorded here rather than substituted with a credentialing-examination version.
Revocation
Meet all requirements for post-revocation licensure, including order compliance, waiting period, current credentials, continuing competence, penalties and costs. Plc 312.05(b) allows a hearing to determine denial or reinstatement with conditions.
Same rank rule difference
Plc 1508.12(b) specifies renewal for a revoked respiratory-care license whereas Plc 312.05(a) specifies initial licensure; the registered examination leaves are retained and the renewal procedure is an applicant condition.
Unregistered nationwide examinations
Plc 1507.09 also accepts NBRC pulmonary function technologist examination; NBRC neonatal and pediatric respiratory care specialty examination; NBRC sleep disorders testing and therapeutic intervention respiratory care specialist examination; NBRC adult critical care specialist examination; ELSO Adult ECMO Certification (E-AEC) examination; and National Certification Corporation Certified in Neonatal Pediatric Transport (C-NPT) examination. These currently offered examinations have no versions in the supplied national registrations and remain applicant conditions pending nationwide registration.

Provisional Respiratory Care Practitioner License by Endorsement

Endorsement license issued while the required criminal background-check results are pending.

Licensing authority: New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification, Executive Director in consultation with the Advisory Board of Respiratory Care Practitioners · Application information

Provisional licensure by endorsement pending criminal history results
Application
Submit the universal initial-license application, required documentation and fees unless exempt, license verification, and criminal history records check under RSA 310:17, RSA 326-E:12, and Plc 313.03-05.
Education
The licensing jurisdiction must require graduation from an accredited respiratory-care education program specified in Plc 313.54(a).
Examination timing
The NBRC examination qualification may have been met before applying; a prior passing performance on a currently offered registered examination remains an examination leaf. This route does not necessarily require sitting the examination again.
Foreign credentials
When endorsement is based on a foreign-jurisdiction license, provide evaluation by a member of NACES or AICE under Plc 313.12(a). Foreign examinations are applicant conditions and do not replace the registered NBRC examinations expressly named by Plc 313.54.
Pending check
The applicant otherwise qualifies for endorsement, but required criminal-history results have not arrived. Plc 313.06(c)-(d) requires provisional issuance; favorable results allow regular licensure and disqualifying results are referred for hearing. Plc 313.08(b) controls expiration.
Qualifying license
Hold an active, non-temporary, unencumbered license in good standing from a jurisdiction with substantially similar requirements; provide primary-source verification. Plc 313.54 defines the respiratory-care education and NBRC CRT-or-RRT examination qualifications of the licensing jurisdiction.

Respiratory Care Practitioner

License to practice respiratory care in New Hampshire. CRT and RRT are national credentials used as qualifications, not two separate state license identities.

Licensing authority: New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification, Executive Director in consultation with the Advisory Board of Respiratory Care Practitioners · Application information

Licensure by endorsement or reciprocity
Application
Submit the universal initial-license application, required documentation and fees unless exempt, license verification, and criminal history records check under RSA 310:17, RSA 326-E:12, and Plc 313.03-05.
Education
The licensing jurisdiction must require graduation from an accredited respiratory-care education program specified in Plc 313.54(a).
Examination timing
The NBRC examination qualification may have been met before applying; a prior passing performance on a currently offered registered examination remains an examination leaf. This route does not necessarily require sitting the examination again.
Foreign credentials
When endorsement is based on a foreign-jurisdiction license, provide evaluation by a member of NACES or AICE under Plc 313.12(a). Foreign examinations are applicant conditions and do not replace the registered NBRC examinations expressly named by Plc 313.54.
Qualifying license
Hold an active, non-temporary, unencumbered license in good standing from a jurisdiction with substantially similar requirements; provide primary-source verification. Plc 313.54 defines the respiratory-care education and NBRC CRT-or-RRT examination qualifications of the licensing jurisdiction.
Reinstatement not more than one year after expiration
Conduct and documentation
Meet Plc 1508.01 eligibility and Plc 308 renewal requirements, pay applicable fees and penalties, submit truthful renewal materials and current NBRC certification, and retain CE evidence for the current and most recent renewal periods; provide it for an audit when directed.
Continuing competence
Complete 12 contact hours during the two-year license period; at least half must relate directly and primarily to clinical respiratory care. The remaining hours may cover teaching, supervision, curriculum, trans-disciplinary skills, administration, research, ECMO, leadership, or emergency management under Plc 1507.04.
Continuing education waiver
Plc 1507.06 provides a full waiver for at least 80 percent of the license period on active military duty and a half waiver for more than 50 but less than 80 percent, on request with service verification.
Expiration
The license has expired not more than one year earlier. Complete renewal, retain or re-obtain required NBRC credentials, meet continuing competence requirements, and refrain from practice until reinstated.
Nb rc maintenance
Maintain continuous NBRC credentials and submit proof of current certification under Plc 1507.03 and Plc 1508.04. Credential maintenance itself does not require retaking every credentialing examination.
Optional examination credit
Under Plc 1507.09, an examination not previously passed for a credential more advanced than the one currently held may supply 12 contact hours. Examination leaves express that recognized examination pathway; non-examination continuing-education activities remain available and the applicant need not take an examination when another accepted activity or waiver satisfies the requirement.
Other continuing education
College courses, live programming, presentations, research, BLS/ACLS/PALS/NRP courses, instruction, in-service training, publications, committees, and self-directed study may provide credit under Plc 1507.04 and 1507.07-18. Any end-of-course examination not resolved to an identifiable registered profession examination is a condition, not a leaf.
Unregistered nationwide examinations
Plc 1507.09 also accepts NBRC pulmonary function technologist examination; NBRC neonatal and pediatric respiratory care specialty examination; NBRC sleep disorders testing and therapeutic intervention respiratory care specialist examination; NBRC adult critical care specialist examination; ELSO Adult ECMO Certification (E-AEC) examination; and National Certification Corporation Certified in Neonatal Pediatric Transport (C-NPT) examination. These currently offered examinations have no versions in the supplied national registrations and remain applicant conditions pending nationwide registration.
Facilitated initial licensure: active military or military spouse licensed in another jurisdiction
Application
Submit the universal initial application and profession-specific documentation, application-related fees unless exempt, and truthful information, including education, NBRC certification, relevant practice history, and license and character disclosures under Plc 304 and Plc 1504.
Board checklist discrepancy
The checklist marked Rev. 02/2026 states: c. Proof of completion of the proctored examination administered by the NCTRC, which may be a copy of the applicant’s NCTRC certification. This names another profession's examination and is retained as the Board's documentary demand; RSA 326-E:3(II) and Plc 1504.02 control respiratory-care examination adoption.
Conditional employment
Under RSA 326-E:12(VII), an applicant may work conditionally for up to 90 calendar days while background results are pending, under direct supervision and with written attestation that no disqualifying history exists. This employment authorization is an applicant condition, not an additional issued license identity.
Criminal history
RSA 326-E:12 requires criminal-history authorization and fingerprints for initial, reinstatement, and conditional applications; the applicant bears the cost. Active Department of Defense military security clearance is accepted in lieu of the background check.
Equivalent license
Hold a license or registration from another jurisdiction whose requirements are substantially equivalent to, or more stringent than, those described in Plc 1504.01. Record this qualification and any examination exemption as the applicant condition under Plc 1504.11(b)(2).
Exam crosswalk
The frozen TMC version is the currently offered examination used for CRT; the RRT alternative involves the frozen TMC and CSE versions. This crosswalk was checked against the current owner pages at https://www.nbrc.org/examinations/crt/ and https://www.nbrc.org/examinations/rrt/. No national identity, version, scoring, registration boundary, or outline is redefined.
Military status
Be on active military duty or a military spouse and provide required verification; the application-processing fee is waived.
Nbrc credential
Maintain current NBRC certification and arrange for NBRC examination scores to be sent directly to the licensing bureau. CRT or RRT is accepted; RRT is not mandatory when the CRT qualification is satisfied.
Professional character
The applicant must be of good professional character and certify under oath that no professional licensing investigation is pending and that credentials have not been suspended or revoked, subject to the specific remedial route and its required disclosures.
Recent practice and self assessment
RSA 326-E:3(IV) addresses applicants without at least 500 practice hours in each of the preceding four years. Plc 1504.13 specifies previously licensed applicants without that recent practice: during the calendar year immediately before applying, complete 12 contact hours of approved respiratory-care review courses, six additional authorized contact hours, and pass all parts of the NBRC self-assessment examination for the highest NBRC credential held; scores must be sent directly by NBRC. The currently offered NBRC self-assessment examination is absent from the supplied nationwide registrations and is recorded here rather than substituted with a credentialing-examination version.
Facilitated initial licensure: active military or military spouse meeting New Hampshire qualifications
Application
Submit the universal initial application and profession-specific documentation, application-related fees unless exempt, and truthful information, including education, NBRC certification, relevant practice history, and license and character disclosures under Plc 304 and Plc 1504.
Board checklist discrepancy
The checklist marked Rev. 02/2026 states: c. Proof of completion of the proctored examination administered by the NCTRC, which may be a copy of the applicant’s NCTRC certification. This names another profession's examination and is retained as the Board's documentary demand; RSA 326-E:3(II) and Plc 1504.02 control respiratory-care examination adoption.
Conditional employment
Under RSA 326-E:12(VII), an applicant may work conditionally for up to 90 calendar days while background results are pending, under direct supervision and with written attestation that no disqualifying history exists. This employment authorization is an applicant condition, not an additional issued license identity.
Criminal history
RSA 326-E:12 requires criminal-history authorization and fingerprints for initial, reinstatement, and conditional applications; the applicant bears the cost. Active Department of Defense military security clearance is accepted in lieu of the background check.
Exam crosswalk
The frozen TMC version is the currently offered examination used for CRT; the RRT alternative involves the frozen TMC and CSE versions. This crosswalk was checked against the current owner pages at https://www.nbrc.org/examinations/crt/ and https://www.nbrc.org/examinations/rrt/. No national identity, version, scoring, registration boundary, or outline is redefined.
Military status
Applicant is on active military duty or is a military spouse, provides service verification and proof of marriage where applicable, meets Plc 1504.01 qualifications, and pays no application-processing fee under Plc 1504.11.
Nbrc credential
Maintain current NBRC certification and arrange for NBRC examination scores to be sent directly to the licensing bureau. CRT or RRT is accepted; RRT is not mandatory when the CRT qualification is satisfied.
Professional character
The applicant must be of good professional character and certify under oath that no professional licensing investigation is pending and that credentials have not been suspended or revoked, subject to the specific remedial route and its required disclosures.
Recent practice and self assessment
RSA 326-E:3(IV) addresses applicants without at least 500 practice hours in each of the preceding four years. Plc 1504.13 specifies previously licensed applicants without that recent practice: during the calendar year immediately before applying, complete 12 contact hours of approved respiratory-care review courses, six additional authorized contact hours, and pass all parts of the NBRC self-assessment examination for the highest NBRC credential held; scores must be sent directly by NBRC. The currently offered NBRC self-assessment examination is absent from the supplied nationwide registrations and is recorded here rather than substituted with a credentialing-examination version.
Initial licensure: respiratory care program graduate
Application
Submit the universal initial application and profession-specific documentation, application-related fees unless exempt, and truthful information, including education, NBRC certification, relevant practice history, and license and character disclosures under Plc 304 and Plc 1504.
Board checklist discrepancy
The checklist marked Rev. 02/2026 states: c. Proof of completion of the proctored examination administered by the NCTRC, which may be a copy of the applicant’s NCTRC certification. This names another profession's examination and is retained as the Board's documentary demand; RSA 326-E:3(II) and Plc 1504.02 control respiratory-care examination adoption.
Conditional employment
Under RSA 326-E:12(VII), an applicant may work conditionally for up to 90 calendar days while background results are pending, under direct supervision and with written attestation that no disqualifying history exists. This employment authorization is an applicant condition, not an additional issued license identity.
Criminal history
RSA 326-E:12 requires criminal-history authorization and fingerprints for initial, reinstatement, and conditional applications; the applicant bears the cost. Active Department of Defense military security clearance is accepted in lieu of the background check.
Education
Graduate from a respiratory-care educational program satisfying RSA 326-E:1(XI).
Exam crosswalk
The frozen TMC version is the currently offered examination used for CRT; the RRT alternative involves the frozen TMC and CSE versions. This crosswalk was checked against the current owner pages at https://www.nbrc.org/examinations/crt/ and https://www.nbrc.org/examinations/rrt/. No national identity, version, scoring, registration boundary, or outline is redefined.
Nbrc credential
Maintain current NBRC certification and arrange for NBRC examination scores to be sent directly to the licensing bureau. CRT or RRT is accepted; RRT is not mandatory when the CRT qualification is satisfied.
Professional character
The applicant must be of good professional character and certify under oath that no professional licensing investigation is pending and that credentials have not been suspended or revoked, subject to the specific remedial route and its required disclosures.
Recent practice and self assessment
RSA 326-E:3(IV) addresses applicants without at least 500 practice hours in each of the preceding four years. Plc 1504.13 specifies previously licensed applicants without that recent practice: during the calendar year immediately before applying, complete 12 contact hours of approved respiratory-care review courses, six additional authorized contact hours, and pass all parts of the NBRC self-assessment examination for the highest NBRC credential held; scores must be sent directly by NBRC. The currently offered NBRC self-assessment examination is absent from the supplied nationwide registrations and is recorded here rather than substituted with a credentialing-examination version.
Initial licensure: pre July 31, 1977 entry examination education alternative
Application
Submit the universal initial application and profession-specific documentation, application-related fees unless exempt, and truthful information, including education, NBRC certification, relevant practice history, and license and character disclosures under Plc 304 and Plc 1504.
Board checklist discrepancy
The checklist marked Rev. 02/2026 states: c. Proof of completion of the proctored examination administered by the NCTRC, which may be a copy of the applicant’s NCTRC certification. This names another profession's examination and is retained as the Board's documentary demand; RSA 326-E:3(II) and Plc 1504.02 control respiratory-care examination adoption.
Conditional employment
Under RSA 326-E:12(VII), an applicant may work conditionally for up to 90 calendar days while background results are pending, under direct supervision and with written attestation that no disqualifying history exists. This employment authorization is an applicant condition, not an additional issued license identity.
Criminal history
RSA 326-E:12 requires criminal-history authorization and fingerprints for initial, reinstatement, and conditional applications; the applicant bears the cost. Active Department of Defense military security clearance is accepted in lieu of the background check.
Education alternative
Instead of the educational-program graduation condition, demonstrate a passing entry-level NBRC examination administered in English before July 31, 1977 under RSA 326-E:3(I)(b). That historical score is a condition; the currently offered standardized national examination requirement remains separate under paragraph II.
Exam crosswalk
The frozen TMC version is the currently offered examination used for CRT; the RRT alternative involves the frozen TMC and CSE versions. This crosswalk was checked against the current owner pages at https://www.nbrc.org/examinations/crt/ and https://www.nbrc.org/examinations/rrt/. No national identity, version, scoring, registration boundary, or outline is redefined.
Nbrc credential
Maintain current NBRC certification and arrange for NBRC examination scores to be sent directly to the licensing bureau. CRT or RRT is accepted; RRT is not mandatory when the CRT qualification is satisfied.
Professional character
The applicant must be of good professional character and certify under oath that no professional licensing investigation is pending and that credentials have not been suspended or revoked, subject to the specific remedial route and its required disclosures.
Recent practice and self assessment
RSA 326-E:3(IV) addresses applicants without at least 500 practice hours in each of the preceding four years. Plc 1504.13 specifies previously licensed applicants without that recent practice: during the calendar year immediately before applying, complete 12 contact hours of approved respiratory-care review courses, six additional authorized contact hours, and pass all parts of the NBRC self-assessment examination for the highest NBRC credential held; scores must be sent directly by NBRC. The currently offered NBRC self-assessment examination is absent from the supplied nationwide registrations and is recorded here rather than substituted with a credentialing-examination version.
Reinstatement after more than one year of expiration
Application
Submit the universal initial application and profession-specific documentation, application-related fees unless exempt, and truthful information, including education, NBRC certification, relevant practice history, and license and character disclosures under Plc 304 and Plc 1504.
Board checklist discrepancy
The checklist marked Rev. 02/2026 states: c. Proof of completion of the proctored examination administered by the NCTRC, which may be a copy of the applicant’s NCTRC certification. This names another profession's examination and is retained as the Board's documentary demand; RSA 326-E:3(II) and Plc 1504.02 control respiratory-care examination adoption.
Conditional employment
Under RSA 326-E:12(VII), an applicant may work conditionally for up to 90 calendar days while background results are pending, under direct supervision and with written attestation that no disqualifying history exists. This employment authorization is an applicant condition, not an additional issued license identity.
Conduct and documentation
Meet Plc 1508.01 eligibility and Plc 308 renewal requirements, pay applicable fees and penalties, submit truthful renewal materials and current NBRC certification, and retain CE evidence for the current and most recent renewal periods; provide it for an audit when directed.
Continuing competence
Complete 12 contact hours during the two-year license period; at least half must relate directly and primarily to clinical respiratory care. The remaining hours may cover teaching, supervision, curriculum, trans-disciplinary skills, administration, research, ECMO, leadership, or emergency management under Plc 1507.04.
Continuing education waiver
Plc 1507.06 provides a full waiver for at least 80 percent of the license period on active military duty and a half waiver for more than 50 but less than 80 percent, on request with service verification.
Criminal history
RSA 326-E:12 requires criminal-history authorization and fingerprints for initial, reinstatement, and conditional applications; the applicant bears the cost. Active Department of Defense military security clearance is accepted in lieu of the background check.
Exam crosswalk
The frozen TMC version is the currently offered examination used for CRT; the RRT alternative involves the frozen TMC and CSE versions. This crosswalk was checked against the current owner pages at https://www.nbrc.org/examinations/crt/ and https://www.nbrc.org/examinations/rrt/. No national identity, version, scoring, registration boundary, or outline is redefined.
Expiration
The license has been expired more than one year. Plc 312.03 and the current application page require the initial-licensure application process; no late penalty is additional to initial application fees.
Nb rc maintenance
Maintain continuous NBRC credentials and submit proof of current certification under Plc 1507.03 and Plc 1508.04. Credential maintenance itself does not require retaking every credentialing examination.
Nbrc credential
Maintain current NBRC certification and arrange for NBRC examination scores to be sent directly to the licensing bureau. CRT or RRT is accepted; RRT is not mandatory when the CRT qualification is satisfied.
Optional examination credit
Under Plc 1507.09, an examination not previously passed for a credential more advanced than the one currently held may supply 12 contact hours. Examination leaves express that recognized examination pathway; non-examination continuing-education activities remain available and the applicant need not take an examination when another accepted activity or waiver satisfies the requirement.
Other continuing education
College courses, live programming, presentations, research, BLS/ACLS/PALS/NRP courses, instruction, in-service training, publications, committees, and self-directed study may provide credit under Plc 1507.04 and 1507.07-18. Any end-of-course examination not resolved to an identifiable registered profession examination is a condition, not a leaf.
Professional character
The applicant must be of good professional character and certify under oath that no professional licensing investigation is pending and that credentials have not been suspended or revoked, subject to the specific remedial route and its required disclosures.
Recent practice and self assessment
RSA 326-E:3(IV) addresses applicants without at least 500 practice hours in each of the preceding four years. Plc 1504.13 specifies previously licensed applicants without that recent practice: during the calendar year immediately before applying, complete 12 contact hours of approved respiratory-care review courses, six additional authorized contact hours, and pass all parts of the NBRC self-assessment examination for the highest NBRC credential held; scores must be sent directly by NBRC. The currently offered NBRC self-assessment examination is absent from the supplied nationwide registrations and is recorded here rather than substituted with a credentialing-examination version.
Same rank rule difference
Plc 1508.11(c) says: Plc 1508.11 Reinstatement of a License After Expiration . (a) If a complete application for renewal is not received prior to the expiration date of the license, the license shall be expired pursuant to RSA 310-A:1-h, IV. (b) An individual whose license has expired shall not practice in New Hampshire unless and until the individual has obtained a license in accordance with RSA 326-E and Plc 1500. (c) An individual whose license has expired who wishes to obtain a license in New Hampshire shall apply for a renewal license in accordance with Plc 1508, including demonstrating that the applicant has met the requirements for continuing competence specified in Plc 1507. Plc 312.03 instead directs initial licensure. Retain the registered initial examinations plus the renewal-demand condition rather than treating the procedural disagreement as an unresolved route.
Unregistered nationwide examinations
Plc 1507.09 also accepts NBRC pulmonary function technologist examination; NBRC neonatal and pediatric respiratory care specialty examination; NBRC sleep disorders testing and therapeutic intervention respiratory care specialist examination; NBRC adult critical care specialist examination; ELSO Adult ECMO Certification (E-AEC) examination; and National Certification Corporation Certified in Neonatal Pediatric Transport (C-NPT) examination. These currently offered examinations have no versions in the supplied national registrations and remain applicant conditions pending nationwide registration.
Reactivation of military inactive status after the original license term expires
Conduct and documentation
Meet Plc 1508.01 eligibility and Plc 308 renewal requirements, pay applicable fees and penalties, submit truthful renewal materials and current NBRC certification, and retain CE evidence for the current and most recent renewal periods; provide it for an audit when directed.
Continuing competence
Complete 12 contact hours during the two-year license period; at least half must relate directly and primarily to clinical respiratory care. The remaining hours may cover teaching, supervision, curriculum, trans-disciplinary skills, administration, research, ECMO, leadership, or emergency management under Plc 1507.04.
Continuing education waiver
Plc 1507.06 provides a full waiver for at least 80 percent of the license period on active military duty and a half waiver for more than 50 but less than 80 percent, on request with service verification.
Eligibility
Request military-inactive-status reactivation within one year of release from active duty; because the license term expired, submit renewal-related fees and current continuing-competence evidence, subject to applicable military CE waivers.
Nb rc maintenance
Maintain continuous NBRC credentials and submit proof of current certification under Plc 1507.03 and Plc 1508.04. Credential maintenance itself does not require retaking every credentialing examination.
Optional examination credit
Under Plc 1507.09, an examination not previously passed for a credential more advanced than the one currently held may supply 12 contact hours. Examination leaves express that recognized examination pathway; non-examination continuing-education activities remain available and the applicant need not take an examination when another accepted activity or waiver satisfies the requirement.
Other continuing education
College courses, live programming, presentations, research, BLS/ACLS/PALS/NRP courses, instruction, in-service training, publications, committees, and self-directed study may provide credit under Plc 1507.04 and 1507.07-18. Any end-of-course examination not resolved to an identifiable registered profession examination is a condition, not a leaf.
Unregistered nationwide examinations
Plc 1507.09 also accepts NBRC pulmonary function technologist examination; NBRC neonatal and pediatric respiratory care specialty examination; NBRC sleep disorders testing and therapeutic intervention respiratory care specialist examination; NBRC adult critical care specialist examination; ELSO Adult ECMO Certification (E-AEC) examination; and National Certification Corporation Certified in Neonatal Pediatric Transport (C-NPT) examination. These currently offered examinations have no versions in the supplied national registrations and remain applicant conditions pending nationwide registration.
Reactivation of military inactive status within the existing license term
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Eligibility
A reserve-component or national-guard licensee requested military inactive status. Within one year of release from active duty submit the signed reactivation request identifying the license and release date; because the original license term has not expired, Plc 307.07(e)(2) directs reactivation without renewal competence evidence or examination.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Biennial license renewal
Conduct and documentation
Meet Plc 1508.01 eligibility and Plc 308 renewal requirements, pay applicable fees and penalties, submit truthful renewal materials and current NBRC certification, and retain CE evidence for the current and most recent renewal periods; provide it for an audit when directed.
Continuing competence
Complete 12 contact hours during the two-year license period; at least half must relate directly and primarily to clinical respiratory care. The remaining hours may cover teaching, supervision, curriculum, trans-disciplinary skills, administration, research, ECMO, leadership, or emergency management under Plc 1507.04.
Continuing education waiver
Plc 1507.06 provides a full waiver for at least 80 percent of the license period on active military duty and a half waiver for more than 50 but less than 80 percent, on request with service verification.
Nb rc maintenance
Maintain continuous NBRC credentials and submit proof of current certification under Plc 1507.03 and Plc 1508.04. Credential maintenance itself does not require retaking every credentialing examination.
Optional examination credit
Under Plc 1507.09, an examination not previously passed for a credential more advanced than the one currently held may supply 12 contact hours. Examination leaves express that recognized examination pathway; non-examination continuing-education activities remain available and the applicant need not take an examination when another accepted activity or waiver satisfies the requirement.
Other continuing education
College courses, live programming, presentations, research, BLS/ACLS/PALS/NRP courses, instruction, in-service training, publications, committees, and self-directed study may provide credit under Plc 1507.04 and 1507.07-18. Any end-of-course examination not resolved to an identifiable registered profession examination is a condition, not a leaf.
Unregistered nationwide examinations
Plc 1507.09 also accepts NBRC pulmonary function technologist examination; NBRC neonatal and pediatric respiratory care specialty examination; NBRC sleep disorders testing and therapeutic intervention respiratory care specialist examination; NBRC adult critical care specialist examination; ELSO Adult ECMO Certification (E-AEC) examination; and National Certification Corporation Certified in Neonatal Pediatric Transport (C-NPT) examination. These currently offered examinations have no versions in the supplied national registrations and remain applicant conditions pending nationwide registration.
Application for licensure after revocation
Application
Submit the universal initial application and profession-specific documentation, application-related fees unless exempt, and truthful information, including education, NBRC certification, relevant practice history, and license and character disclosures under Plc 304 and Plc 1504.
Board checklist discrepancy
The checklist marked Rev. 02/2026 states: c. Proof of completion of the proctored examination administered by the NCTRC, which may be a copy of the applicant’s NCTRC certification. This names another profession's examination and is retained as the Board's documentary demand; RSA 326-E:3(II) and Plc 1504.02 control respiratory-care examination adoption.
Conditional employment
Under RSA 326-E:12(VII), an applicant may work conditionally for up to 90 calendar days while background results are pending, under direct supervision and with written attestation that no disqualifying history exists. This employment authorization is an applicant condition, not an additional issued license identity.
Conduct and documentation
Meet Plc 1508.01 eligibility and Plc 308 renewal requirements, pay applicable fees and penalties, submit truthful renewal materials and current NBRC certification, and retain CE evidence for the current and most recent renewal periods; provide it for an audit when directed.
Continuing competence
Complete 12 contact hours during the two-year license period; at least half must relate directly and primarily to clinical respiratory care. The remaining hours may cover teaching, supervision, curriculum, trans-disciplinary skills, administration, research, ECMO, leadership, or emergency management under Plc 1507.04.
Continuing education waiver
Plc 1507.06 provides a full waiver for at least 80 percent of the license period on active military duty and a half waiver for more than 50 but less than 80 percent, on request with service verification.
Criminal history
RSA 326-E:12 requires criminal-history authorization and fingerprints for initial, reinstatement, and conditional applications; the applicant bears the cost. Active Department of Defense military security clearance is accepted in lieu of the background check.
Exam crosswalk
The frozen TMC version is the currently offered examination used for CRT; the RRT alternative involves the frozen TMC and CSE versions. This crosswalk was checked against the current owner pages at https://www.nbrc.org/examinations/crt/ and https://www.nbrc.org/examinations/rrt/. No national identity, version, scoring, registration boundary, or outline is redefined.
Nb rc maintenance
Maintain continuous NBRC credentials and submit proof of current certification under Plc 1507.03 and Plc 1508.04. Credential maintenance itself does not require retaking every credentialing examination.
Nbrc credential
Maintain current NBRC certification and arrange for NBRC examination scores to be sent directly to the licensing bureau. CRT or RRT is accepted; RRT is not mandatory when the CRT qualification is satisfied.
Optional examination credit
Under Plc 1507.09, an examination not previously passed for a credential more advanced than the one currently held may supply 12 contact hours. Examination leaves express that recognized examination pathway; non-examination continuing-education activities remain available and the applicant need not take an examination when another accepted activity or waiver satisfies the requirement.
Other continuing education
College courses, live programming, presentations, research, BLS/ACLS/PALS/NRP courses, instruction, in-service training, publications, committees, and self-directed study may provide credit under Plc 1507.04 and 1507.07-18. Any end-of-course examination not resolved to an identifiable registered profession examination is a condition, not a leaf.
Professional character
The applicant must be of good professional character and certify under oath that no professional licensing investigation is pending and that credentials have not been suspended or revoked, subject to the specific remedial route and its required disclosures.
Recent practice and self assessment
RSA 326-E:3(IV) addresses applicants without at least 500 practice hours in each of the preceding four years. Plc 1504.13 specifies previously licensed applicants without that recent practice: during the calendar year immediately before applying, complete 12 contact hours of approved respiratory-care review courses, six additional authorized contact hours, and pass all parts of the NBRC self-assessment examination for the highest NBRC credential held; scores must be sent directly by NBRC. The currently offered NBRC self-assessment examination is absent from the supplied nationwide registrations and is recorded here rather than substituted with a credentialing-examination version.
Revocation
Satisfy every revocation-order condition and waiting period, pay all outstanding administrative and civil penalties and imposed costs, hold required NBRC credentials, and demonstrate the required preceding two-year continuing competence.
Same rank rule difference
Plc 312.05 directs initial licensure, while Plc 1508.12(b) directs renewal licensure: Plc 1508.12 Reinstatement of a License Previously Suspended or Revoked . (a) An individual whose license was suspended pursuant to Plc 1510, or whose license was suspended by the New Hampshire respiratory care practitioners governing board prior to July 19, 2022, who wishes to have the license reinstated shall: (1) If the request is made before the expiration date of the suspended license, submit a written request to the licensing bureau that demonstrates compliance with all conditions of the suspension order and plan of correction, including completing any additional continuing competence activities and paying any monetary penalties imposed, but not paying an additional fee; or (2) If the request is made after the expiration date of the suspended license: a. Submit an application for renewal, including demonstrating that continuing competence requirements have been met; b. Pay all monetary penalties imposed, if any; c. Pay the costs associated with the suspension, if imposed pursuant to RSA 310-A:1-m, VI or other applicable law; and d. Demonstrate that all conditions imposed in the suspension order have been met. (b) An individual whose license was revoked pursuant to Plc 1510, or whose license was revoked by the New Hampshire respiratory care practitioners governing board prior to July 19, 2022, who wishes to have the license reinstated shall: (1) Submit an application for renewal licensure in accordance with Plc 1508.03, including demonstrating that the applicant has met the requirements for continuing competence; (2) Pay all monetary penalties imposed, if any; (3) Pay the costs associated with the revocation, if imposed pursuant to RSA 310-A:1-m, VI or other applicable law; and (4) Demonstrate that all conditions imposed in the revocation order and plan of correction have been met. (c) If the executive director makes a preliminary determination based on the materials submitted by the applicant that the applicant does not qualify for a license or does not qualify for an unrestricted license, the executive director shall initiate an adjudicative proceeding pursuant to Plc 200 to determine whether to deny the application or to reinstate the license with conditions. (d) A license shall not be granted to an individual who previously held a license whose license was suspended or revoked unless and until the individual has: (1) Complied with each requirement that is part of the suspension or revocation order; (2) Paid all monetary penalties imposed and the costs associated with the suspension or revocation, if imposed pursuant to RSA 310-A:1-m, VI or other applicable law; and (3) Demonstrated that all other requirements for a renewal license have been met. Preserve the registered examinations involved in initial licensure and the alternative renewal procedure as an applicant condition.
Unregistered nationwide examinations
Plc 1507.09 also accepts NBRC pulmonary function technologist examination; NBRC neonatal and pediatric respiratory care specialty examination; NBRC sleep disorders testing and therapeutic intervention respiratory care specialist examination; NBRC adult critical care specialist examination; ELSO Adult ECMO Certification (E-AEC) examination; and National Certification Corporation Certified in Neonatal Pediatric Transport (C-NPT) examination. These currently offered examinations have no versions in the supplied national registrations and remain applicant conditions pending nationwide registration.
Reinstatement of a suspended license after expiration within one year
Conduct and documentation
Meet Plc 1508.01 eligibility and Plc 308 renewal requirements, pay applicable fees and penalties, submit truthful renewal materials and current NBRC certification, and retain CE evidence for the current and most recent renewal periods; provide it for an audit when directed.
Continuing competence
Complete 12 contact hours during the two-year license period; at least half must relate directly and primarily to clinical respiratory care. The remaining hours may cover teaching, supervision, curriculum, trans-disciplinary skills, administration, research, ECMO, leadership, or emergency management under Plc 1507.04.
Continuing education waiver
Plc 1507.06 provides a full waiver for at least 80 percent of the license period on active military duty and a half waiver for more than 50 but less than 80 percent, on request with service verification.
Eligibility
Request within the applicable suspension-restoration period and no later than one year after license expiration, complete reinstatement or renewal materials and competence requirements, meet every suspension-order condition, and pay penalties and imposed costs.
Nb rc maintenance
Maintain continuous NBRC credentials and submit proof of current certification under Plc 1507.03 and Plc 1508.04. Credential maintenance itself does not require retaking every credentialing examination.
Optional examination credit
Under Plc 1507.09, an examination not previously passed for a credential more advanced than the one currently held may supply 12 contact hours. Examination leaves express that recognized examination pathway; non-examination continuing-education activities remain available and the applicant need not take an examination when another accepted activity or waiver satisfies the requirement.
Other continuing education
College courses, live programming, presentations, research, BLS/ACLS/PALS/NRP courses, instruction, in-service training, publications, committees, and self-directed study may provide credit under Plc 1507.04 and 1507.07-18. Any end-of-course examination not resolved to an identifiable registered profession examination is a condition, not a leaf.
Unregistered nationwide examinations
Plc 1507.09 also accepts NBRC pulmonary function technologist examination; NBRC neonatal and pediatric respiratory care specialty examination; NBRC sleep disorders testing and therapeutic intervention respiratory care specialist examination; NBRC adult critical care specialist examination; ELSO Adult ECMO Certification (E-AEC) examination; and National Certification Corporation Certified in Neonatal Pediatric Transport (C-NPT) examination. These currently offered examinations have no versions in the supplied national registrations and remain applicant conditions pending nationwide registration.
Restoration of an unexpired suspended license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Eligibility
Request restoration within 30 days after the suspension term ends and before the license expires, demonstrate compliance with every condition of the suspension order and correction plan, complete any individually imposed additional competence activities, and pay all imposed monetary penalties and costs. No separate registered examination is named for this timely restoration procedure.
Individual order
Any unidentified examination or additional competence activity imposed by an individual order is an applicant condition. An order that resolves to a named currently offered registered examination is not presumed from the general restoration language.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

New initial license application after missing the suspension restoration period
Application
Submit the universal initial application and profession-specific documentation, application-related fees unless exempt, and truthful information, including education, NBRC certification, relevant practice history, and license and character disclosures under Plc 304 and Plc 1504.
Board checklist discrepancy
The checklist marked Rev. 02/2026 states: c. Proof of completion of the proctored examination administered by the NCTRC, which may be a copy of the applicant’s NCTRC certification. This names another profession's examination and is retained as the Board's documentary demand; RSA 326-E:3(II) and Plc 1504.02 control respiratory-care examination adoption.
Conditional employment
Under RSA 326-E:12(VII), an applicant may work conditionally for up to 90 calendar days while background results are pending, under direct supervision and with written attestation that no disqualifying history exists. This employment authorization is an applicant condition, not an additional issued license identity.
Criminal history
RSA 326-E:12 requires criminal-history authorization and fingerprints for initial, reinstatement, and conditional applications; the applicant bears the cost. Active Department of Defense military security clearance is accepted in lieu of the background check.
Eligibility
The restoration or reinstatement time limit in Plc 312.04(a) was missed; Plc 312.04(d) directs application for initial licensure. All prior suspension and correction-plan obligations remain applicant conditions.
Exam crosswalk
The frozen TMC version is the currently offered examination used for CRT; the RRT alternative involves the frozen TMC and CSE versions. This crosswalk was checked against the current owner pages at https://www.nbrc.org/examinations/crt/ and https://www.nbrc.org/examinations/rrt/. No national identity, version, scoring, registration boundary, or outline is redefined.
Nbrc credential
Maintain current NBRC certification and arrange for NBRC examination scores to be sent directly to the licensing bureau. CRT or RRT is accepted; RRT is not mandatory when the CRT qualification is satisfied.
Professional character
The applicant must be of good professional character and certify under oath that no professional licensing investigation is pending and that credentials have not been suspended or revoked, subject to the specific remedial route and its required disclosures.
Recent practice and self assessment
RSA 326-E:3(IV) addresses applicants without at least 500 practice hours in each of the preceding four years. Plc 1504.13 specifies previously licensed applicants without that recent practice: during the calendar year immediately before applying, complete 12 contact hours of approved respiratory-care review courses, six additional authorized contact hours, and pass all parts of the NBRC self-assessment examination for the highest NBRC credential held; scores must be sent directly by NBRC. The currently offered NBRC self-assessment examination is absent from the supplied nationwide registrations and is recorded here rather than substituted with a credentialing-examination version.

Clinical Simulation Examination

Provider
The National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC); administered Monday through Saturday at more than 300 assessment centers through the NBRC testing agency PSI
Format
Computer-based clinical simulation examination of patient-management problems with information-gathering and decision-making sections; each section of each problem is classified to a minor content heading of the Detailed Content Outline. Admission requires the CRT and a TMC pass at the high cut score; with the implementation of the Respiratory Therapy Examination the CSE is available only to those who passed the TMC at the high cut score by December 31, 2026, and it ends December 31, 2027
Exam questions
22 problems: 20 scored and 2 pretest
Time limit
4 hours
Passing score
Points associated with the candidate’s set of responses are summed across the whole examination into one score compared with a cut score linked to examination committee decisions on whether each positively-scored option is required as a demonstration of minimal competence
Exam fee
$200 for both new and repeat applicants
Examination outline
  • I. PATIENT DATA
    • I.A. Evaluate Data in the Patient Record — 1. Patient history, for example, history of present illness (HPI), orders, medication reconciliation, progress notes, DNR status / advance directives, social, family, and medical history; 2. Physical examination relative to the cardiopulmonary system; 3. Lines, drains, and airways, for example, chest tube, vascular lines, artificial airway; 4. Laboratory results, for example, CBC, electrolytes, coagulation studies, sputum culture and sensitivities, cardiac biomarkers; 5. Blood gas analysis and / or hemoximetry (CO-oximetry) results; 6. Pulmonary function testing results, for example spirometry, lung volumes, DLCO; 7. 6-minute walk test results; 8. Imaging study results, for example, chest radiograph, CT scan, ultrasonography and / or echocardiography, PET scan, ventilation / perfusion scan; 9. Maternal and perinatal / neonatal history, for example, Apgar scores, gestational age, L / S ratio; 10. Sleep study results, for example, apnea-hypopnea index (AHI); 11. Trends in monitoring results: a. fluid balance; b. vital signs; c. intracranial pressure; d. ventilator liberation parameters; e. pulmonary mechanics; f. noninvasive, for example, pulse oximetry, capnography, transcutaneous; g. cardiac evaluation / monitoring results, for example, ECG, hemodynamic parameters; 12. Determination of a patient's pathophysiological state
    • I.B. Perform Clinical Assessment — 1. Interviewing a patient to assess a. level of consciousness and orientation, emotional state, and ability to cooperate; b. level of pain; c. shortness of breath, sputum production, and exercise tolerance; d. smoking history; e. environmental exposures; f. activities of daily living; g. learning needs, for example, literacy, preferred learning style, social / cultural; 2. Performing inspection to assess a. general appearance; b. characteristics of the airway, for example, patency, Mallampati classification, tracheal shift; c. cough, sputum amount and character; d. status of a neonate, for example, Apgar score, gestational age; e. skin integrity, for example, pressure ulcers, stoma site; 3. Palpating to assess a. pulse, rhythm, intensity; b. accessory muscle activity; c. asymmetrical chest movements, tactile fremitus, crepitus, tenderness, tactile rhonchi, and / or tracheal deviation; 4. Performing diagnostic chest percussion; 5. Auscultating to assess a. breath sounds; b. heart sounds and rhythm; c. blood pressure; 6. Reviewing a chest radiograph to assess a. quality of imaging, for example, patient positioning, penetration, lung inflation; b. presence and position of airways, lines, and drains; c. presence of foreign bodies; d. heart size and position; e. presence of, or change in, (i) cardiopulmonary abnormalities, for example, pneumothorax, consolidation, pleural effusion, pulmonary edema, pulmonary artery size; (ii) diaphragm, mediastinum, and / or trachea
    • I.C. Perform Procedures to Gather Clinical Information — 1. 12-lead ECG; 2. Noninvasive monitoring, for example, pulse oximetry, capnography, transcutaneous; 3. Peak flow; 4. Mechanics of spontaneous ventilation linked to tidal volume, minute volume, maximal inspiratory pressure, and vital capacity; 5. Blood gas sample collection; 6. Blood gas analysis and / or hemoximetry (CO-oximetry); 7. Oxygen titration with exercise; 8. Cardiopulmonary calculations, for example, P(A-a)O2, VD / VT, P/F, OI; 9. Hemodynamic monitoring; 10. Pulmonary compliance and airways resistance; 11. Plateau pressure; 12. Auto-PEEP determination; 13. Spontaneous breathing trial (SBT); 14. Apnea monitoring; 15. Apnea test (brain death determination); 16. Overnight pulse oximetry; 17. CPAP / NPPV titration during sleep; 18. Cuff management, for example, tracheal, laryngeal; 19. Sputum induction; 20. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing; 21. 6-minute walk test; 22. Spirometry outside or inside a pulmonary function laboratory; 23. DLCO inside a pulmonary function laboratory; 24. Lung volumes inside a pulmonary function laboratory; 25. Tests of respiratory muscle strength - MIP and MEP; 26. Therapeutic bronchoscopy
    • I.D. Evaluate Procedure Results — 1. 12-lead ECG; 2. Noninvasive monitoring, for example, pulse oximetry, capnography, transcutaneous; 3. Peak flow; 4. Mechanics of spontaneous ventilation linked to tidal volume, minute volume, maximal inspiratory pressure, and vital capacity; 5. Blood gas analysis and / or hemoximetry (CO-oximetry); 6. Oxygen titration with exercise; 7. Cardiopulmonary calculations, for example, P(A-a)O2, VD / VT, P/F, OI; 8. Hemodynamic monitoring; 9. Pulmonary compliance and airways resistance; 10. Plateau pressure; 11. Auto-PEEP; 12. Spontaneous breathing trial (SBT); 13. Apnea monitoring; 14. Apnea test (brain death determination); 15. Overnight pulse oximetry; 16. CPAP / NPPV titration during sleep; 17. Cuff status, for example, laryngeal, tracheal; 18. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing; 19. 6-minute walk test; 20. Spirometry outside or inside a pulmonary function laboratory; 21. DLCO inside a pulmonary function laboratory; 22. Lung volumes inside a pulmonary function laboratory; 23. Tests of respiratory muscle strength - MIP and MEP
    • I.E. Recommend Diagnostic Procedures — 1. Testing for tuberculosis; 2. Laboratory tests, for example, CBC, electrolytes, coagulation studies, sputum culture and sensitivities, cardiac biomarkers; 3. Imaging studies; 4. Bronchoscopy a. diagnostic; b. therapeutic; 5. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL); 6. Pulmonary function testing; 7. Noninvasive monitoring, for example, pulse oximetry, capnography, transcutaneous; 8. Blood gas and/or hemoximetry (CO-oximetry); 9. ECG; 10. Exhaled gas analysis, for example, CO2, CO, FENO; 11. Hemodynamic monitoring; 12. Sleep studies; 13. Thoracentesis
  • II. TROUBLESHOOTING AND QUALITY CONTROL OF EQUIPMENT, AND INFECTION CONTROL
    • II.A. Assemble /Troubleshoot Devices — 1. Medical gas delivery interfaces, for example, mask, cannula, heated high-flow nasal cannula; 2. Long-term oxygen therapy; 3. Medical gas delivery, metering, and /or clinical analyzing devices, for example, concentrator, liquid system, flowmeter, regulator, gas cylinder, blender, air compressor, gas analyzers; 4. CPAP / NPPV with patient interfaces; 5. Humidifiers; 6. Nebulizers; 7. Metered-dose inhalers, spacers, and valved holding chambers; 8. Dry-powder inhalers (DPI); 9. Resuscitation equipment, for example, self-inflating resuscitator, flow-inflating resuscitator, AED; 10. Mechanical ventilators; 11. Intubation equipment; 12. Artificial airways; 13. Suctioning equipment, for example, regulator, canister, tubing, catheter; 14. Blood analyzers, for example, hemoximetry (CO-oximetry), point-of-care, blood gas; 15. Patient breathing circuits; 16. Hyperinflation devices; 17. Secretion clearance devices; 18. Heliox delivery device; 19. Portable spirometer; 20. Testing equipment in a pulmonary function laboratory; 21. Pleural drainage; 22. Noninvasive monitoring, for example, pulse oximeter, capnometer, transcutaneous; 23. Bronchoscopes and light sources; 24. Hemodynamic monitoring a. pressure transducers; b. catheters, for example, arterial, pulmonary artery
    • II.B. Ensure Infection Prevention — 1. Adhering to infection prevention policies and procedures, for example, Standard Precautions, donning/doffing, isolation; 2. Adhering to disinfection policies and procedures; 3. Proper handling of biohazardous materials
    • II.C. Perform Quality Control Procedures — 1. Blood analyzers; 2. Gas analyzers; 3. Pulmonary function equipment for testing a. spirometry results; b. lung volumes; c. diffusing capacity (DLCO); 4. Mechanical ventilators; 5. Noninvasive monitors
  • III. INITIATION AND MODIFICATION OF INTERVENTIONS
    • III.A. Maintain a Patent Airway Including the Care of Artificial Airways — 1. Proper positioning of a patient; 2. Recognition of a difficult airway; 3. Establishing and managing a patient's airway a. nasopharyngeal airway; b. oropharyngeal airway; c. esophagealtracheal tubes / supraglottic airways; d. endotracheal tube; e. tracheostomy tube; f. laryngectomy tube; g. speaking valves; h. devices that assist with intubation, for example, endotracheal tube exchanger, video laryngoscopy; 4. Performing tracheostomy care; 5. Exchanging artificial airways; 6. Maintaining adequate humidification; 7. Initiating protocols to prevent ventilator-associated infections; 8. Performing extubation
    • III.B. Perform Airway Clearance and Lung Expansion Techniques — 1. Postural drainage, percussion, or vibration; 2. Suctioning, for example, nasotracheal, oropharyngeal; 3. Mechanical devices, for example, high-frequency chest wall oscillation, vibratory PEP, intrapulmonary percussive ventilation, insufflation / exsufflation device; 4. Assisted cough, for example, huff, abdominal thrust; 5. Hyperinflation therapy; 6. Inspiratory muscle training
    • III.C. Support Oxygenation and Ventilation — 1. Initiating and adjusting oxygen therapy; 2. Minimizing hypoxemia, for example, patient positioning, secretion removal; 3. Initiating and adjusting mask or nasal CPAP; 4. Initiating and adjusting mechanical ventilation settings a. continuous mechanical ventilation; b. noninvasive ventilation; c. high-frequency ventilation; d. alarms; 5. Recognizing and correcting patient-ventilator dyssynchrony; 6. Utilizing ventilator graphics; 7. Performing lung recruitment maneuvers; 8. Liberating a patient from mechanical ventilation
    • III.D. Administer Medications and Specialty Gases — 1. Aerosolized preparations a. antimicrobials; b. pulmonary vasodilators; c. bronchodilators; d. mucolytics / proteolytics; e. steroids; 2. Endotracheal instillation; 3. Specialty gases, for example, heliox, inhaled NO
    • III.E. Ensure Modifications are Made to the Respiratory Care Plan — 1. Treatment termination, for example, life-threatening adverse event; 2. Recommendations a. starting treatment based on patient response; b. treatment of pneumothorax; c. adjustment of fluid balance; d. adjustment of electrolyte therapy; e. insertion or change of artificial airway; f. liberating from mechanical ventilation; g. extubation; h. discontinuing treatment based on patient response; i. consultation from a physician specialist; 3. Recommendations for changes a. patient position; b. oxygen therapy; c. humidification; d. airway clearance; e. hyperinflation; f. mechanical ventilation; 4. Recommendations for pharmacologic interventions a. bronchodilators; b. anti-inflammatory drugs; c. mucolytics and proteolytics; d. aerosolized antibiotics; e. inhaled pulmonary vasodilators; f. cardiovascular; g. antimicrobials; h. sedatives and hypnotics; i. analgesics; j. narcotic antagonists; k. benzodiazepine antagonists; l. neuromuscular blocking agents; m. diuretics; n. surfactants; o. changes to drug, dosage, administration frequency, mode, or concentration
    • III.F. Utilize Evidence-Based Practice — 1. Classification of disease severity; 2. Recommendations for changes in a therapeutic plan when indicated; 3. Application of guidelines, for example, ARDSNet, NAEPP, GOLD
    • III.G. Provide Respiratory Care Techniques in High-Risk Situations — 1. Emergency a. cardiopulmonary emergencies excluding CPR; b. disaster management; c. medical emergency team (MET) / rapid response team; 2. Interprofessional communication; 3. Patient transport a. land / air between hospitals; b. within a hospital
    • III.H. Assist a Physician / Provider in Performing Procedures — 1. Intubation; 2. Bronchoscopy; 3. Specialized bronchoscopy, for example, EBUS, navigational bronchoscopy (ENB); 4. Thoracentesis; 5. Tracheotomy; 6. Chest tube insertion; 7. Insertion of arterial or venous catheters; 8. Moderate (conscious) sedation; 9. Cardioversion; 10. Withdrawal of life support
    • III.I. Conduct Patient and Family Education — 1. Safety and infection control; 2. Home care and related equipment; 3. Lifestyle changes, for example, smoking cessation, exercise; 4. Pulmonary rehabilitation; 5. Disease / condition management, for example, asthma, COPD, CF, tracheostomy care, ventilator dependent
Examination sources

Therapist Multiple-Choice Examination

Provider
The National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC); administered Monday through Saturday at more than 300 assessment centers through the NBRC testing agency PSI
Format
Computer-based multiple-choice examination; each scored item is linked to a content area and cognitive level (recall, application, analysis); the TMC ends December 31, 2026 and the Respiratory Therapy Examination is used from January 1, 2027
Exam questions
160 multiple-choice items: 140 scored and 20 pretest
Time limit
3 hours
Passing score
Raw score (each item worth one point) compared with two cut scores: the low cut score earns the CRT credential; the high cut score earns the CRT credential and eligibility for the Clinical Simulation Examination for candidates eligible to earn the RRT
Exam fee
$190 new applicants; $150 repeat applicants
Examination outline
  • I. PATIENT DATA (50 of 140 scored items; Recall 15, Application 27, Analysis 8) (35.71%)
    • I.A. Evaluate Data in the Patient Record (10 of 50 section items; Recall 4, Application 6, Analysis 0) — 1. Patient history, for example, history of present illness (HPI), orders, medication reconciliation, progress notes, DNR status / advance directives, social, family, and medical history; 2. Physical examination relative to the cardiopulmonary system; 3. Lines, drains, and airways, for example, chest tube, vascular lines, artificial airway; 4. Laboratory results, for example, CBC, electrolytes, coagulation studies, sputum culture and sensitivities, cardiac biomarkers; 5. Blood gas analysis and / or hemoximetry (CO-oximetry) results; 6. Pulmonary function testing results, for example spirometry, lung volumes, DLCO; 7. 6-minute walk test results; 8. Imaging study results, for example, chest radiograph, CT scan, ultrasonography and / or echocardiography, PET scan, ventilation / perfusion scan; 9. Maternal and perinatal / neonatal history, for example, APGAR scores, gestational age, L / S ratio; 10. Sleep study results, for example, apnea-hypopnea index (AHI); 11. Trends in monitoring results: a. fluid balance; b. vital signs; c. intracranial pressure; d. ventilator liberation parameters; e. pulmonary mechanics; f. noninvasive, for example, pulse oximetry, capnography, transcutaneous; g. cardiac evaluation / monitoring results, for example, ECG, hemodynamic parameters; 12. Determination of a patient's pathophysiological state
    • I.B. Perform Clinical Assessment (10 of 50 section items; Recall 3, Application 6, Analysis 1) — 1. Interviewing a patient to assess a. level of consciousness and orientation, emotional state, and ability to cooperate; b. level of pain; c. shortness of breath, sputum production, and exercise tolerance; d. smoking history; e. environmental exposures; f. activities of daily living; g. learning needs, for example, literacy, preferred learning style, social / cultural; 2. Performing inspection to assess a. general appearance; b. characteristics of the airway, for example, patency, Mallampati classification, tracheal shift; c. cough, sputum amount and character; d. status of a neonate, for example, APGAR score, gestational age; e. skin integrity, for example, pressure ulcers, stoma site; 3. Palpating to assess a. pulse, rhythm, intensity; b. accessory muscle activity; c. asymmetrical chest movements, tactile fremitus, crepitus, tenderness, tactile rhonchi, and / or tracheal deviation; 4. Performing diagnostic chest percussion; 5. Auscultating to assess a. breath sounds; b. heart sounds and rhythm; c. blood pressure; 6. Reviewing a chest radiograph to assess a. quality of imaging, for example, patient positioning, penetration, lung inflation; b. presence and position of airways, lines, and drains; c. presence of foreign bodies; d. heart size and position; e. presence of, or change in, (i) cardiopulmonary abnormalities, for example, pneumothorax, consolidation, pleural effusion, pulmonary edema, pulmonary artery size; (ii) diaphragm, mediastinum, and / or trachea
    • I.C. Perform Procedures to Gather Clinical Information (12 of 50 section items; Recall 4, Application 7, Analysis 1) — 1. 12-lead ECG; 2. Noninvasive monitoring, for example, pulse oximetry, capnography, transcutaneous; 3. Peak flow; 4. Mechanics of spontaneous ventilation linked to tidal volume, minute volume, maximal inspiratory pressure, and vital capacity; 5. Blood gas sample collection; 6. Blood gas analysis and / or hemoximetry (CO-oximetry); 7. Oxygen titration with exercise; 8. Cardiopulmonary calculations, for example, P(A-a)O2, VD / VT, P/F, OI; 9. Hemodynamic monitoring; 10. Pulmonary compliance and airways resistance; 11. Plateau pressure; 12. Auto-PEEP determination; 13. Spontaneous breathing trial (SBT); 14. Apnea monitoring; 15. Apnea test (brain death determination); 16. Overnight pulse oximetry; 17. CPAP / NPPV titration during sleep; 18. Cuff management, for example, tracheal, laryngeal; 19. Sputum induction; 20. Cardiopulmonary stress testing; 21. 6-minute walk test; 22. Spirometry outside or inside a pulmonary function laboratory; 23. DLCO inside a pulmonary function laboratory; 24. Lung volumes inside a pulmonary function laboratory; 25. Tests of respiratory muscle strength - MIP and MEP; 26. Therapeutic bronchoscopy
    • I.D. Evaluate Procedure Results (10 of 50 section items; Recall 2, Application 4, Analysis 4) — 1. 12-lead ECG; 2. Noninvasive monitoring, for example, pulse oximetry, capnography, transcutaneous; 3. Peak flow; 4. Mechanics of spontaneous ventilation linked to tidal volume, minute volume, maximal inspiratory pressure, and vital capacity; 5. Blood gas analysis and / or hemoximetry (CO-oximetry); 6. Oxygen titration with exercise; 7. Cardiopulmonary calculations, for example, P(A-a)O2, VD / VT, P/F, OI; 8. Hemodynamic monitoring; 9. Pulmonary compliance and airways resistance; 10. Plateau pressure; 11. Auto-PEEP; 12. Spontaneous breathing trial (SBT); 13. Apnea monitoring; 14. Apnea test (brain death determination); 15. Overnight pulse oximetry; 16. CPAP / NPPV titration during sleep; 17. Cuff status, for example, laryngeal, tracheal; 18. Cardiopulmonary stress testing; 19. 6-minute walk test; 20. Spirometry outside or inside a pulmonary function laboratory; 21. DLCO inside a pulmonary function laboratory; 22. Lung volumes inside a pulmonary function laboratory; 23. Tests of respiratory muscle strength - MIP and MEP
    • I.E. Recommend Diagnostic Procedures (8 of 50 section items; Recall 2, Application 4, Analysis 2) — 1. Testing for tuberculosis; 2. Laboratory tests, for example, CBC, electrolytes, coagulation studies, sputum culture and sensitivities, cardiac biomarkers; 3. Imaging studies; 4. Bronchoscopy a. diagnostic; b. therapeutic; 5. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL); 6. Pulmonary function testing; 7. Noninvasive monitoring, for example, pulse oximetry, capnography, transcutaneous; 8. Blood gas and/or hemoximetry (CO-oximetry); 9. ECG; 10. Exhaled gas analysis, for example, CO2, CO, FENO; 11. Hemodynamic monitoring; 12. Sleep studies; 13. Thoracentesis
  • II. TROUBLESHOOTING AND QUALITY CONTROL OF DEVICES, AND INFECTION CONTROL (20 of 140 scored items; Recall 8, Application 9, Analysis 3) (14.29%)
    • II.A. Assemble / Troubleshoot Devices (15 of 20 section items; Recall 4, Application 8, Analysis 3) — 1. Medical gas delivery interfaces, for example, mask, cannula, heated high-flow nasal cannula; 2. Long-term oxygen therapy; 3. Medical gas delivery, metering, and /or clinical analyzing devices, for example, concentrator, liquid system, flowmeter, regulator, gas cylinder, blender, air compressor, gas analyzers; 4. CPAP / NPPV with patient interfaces; 5. Humidifiers; 6. Nebulizers; 7. Metered-dose inhalers, spacers, and valved holding chambers; 8. Dry-powder inhalers (DPI); 9. Resuscitation equipment, for example, self-inflating resuscitator, flow-inflating resuscitator, AED; 10. Mechanical ventilators; 11. Intubation equipment; 12. Artificial airways; 13. Suctioning equipment, for example, regulator, canister, tubing, catheter; 14. Blood analyzers, for example, hemoximetry (CO-oximetry), point-of-care, blood gas; 15. Patient breathing circuits; 16. Hyperinflation devices; 17. Secretion clearance devices; 18. Heliox delivery device; 19. Portable spirometer; 20. Testing equipment in a pulmonary function laboratory; 21. Pleural drainage; 22. Noninvasive monitoring, for example, pulse oximeter, capnometer, transcutaneous; 23. Bronchoscopes and light sources; 24. Hemodynamic monitoring a. pressure transducers; b. catheters, for example, arterial, pulmonary artery
    • II.B. Ensure Infection Prevention (2 of 20 section items; Recall 2, Application 0, Analysis 0) — 1. Adhering to infection prevention policies and procedures, for example, Standard Precautions, donning/doffing, isolation; 2. Adhering to disinfection policies and procedures; 3. Proper handling of biohazardous materials
    • II.C. Perform Quality Control Procedures (3 of 20 section items; Recall 2, Application 1, Analysis 0) — 1. Blood analyzers; 2. Gas analyzers; 3. Pulmonary function equipment for testing a. spirometry results; b. lung volumes; c. diffusing capacity (DLCO); 4. Mechanical ventilators; 5. Noninvasive monitors
  • III. INITIATION AND MODIFICATION OF INTERVENTIONS (70 of 140 scored items; Recall 10, Application 30, Analysis 30) (50%)
    • III.A. Maintain a Patent Airway Including the Care of Artificial Airways (10 of 70 section items; Recall 3, Application 4, Analysis 3) — 1. Proper positioning of a patient; 2. Recognition of a difficult airway; 3. Establishing and managing a patient's airway a. nasopharyngeal airway; b. oropharyngeal airway; c. esophagealtracheal tubes / supraglottic airways; d. endotracheal tube; e. tracheostomy tube; f. laryngectomy tube; g. speaking valves; h. devices that assist with intubation, for example, endotracheal tube exchanger, video laryngoscopy; 4. Performing tracheostomy care; 5. Exchanging artificial airways; 6. Maintaining adequate humidification; 7. Initiating protocols to prevent ventilator-associated infections; 8. Performing extubation
    • III.B. Perform Airway Clearance and Lung Expansion Techniques (5 of 70 section items; Recall 2, Application 2, Analysis 1) — 1. Postural drainage, percussion, or vibration; 2. Suctioning, for example, nasotracheal, oropharyngeal; 3. Mechanical devices, for example, high-frequency chest wall oscillation, vibratory PEP, intrapulmonary percussive ventilation, insufflation / exsufflation; 4. Assisted cough, for example, huff, abdominal thrust; 5. Hyperinflation therapy; 6. Inspiratory muscle training
    • III.C. Support Oxygenation and Ventilation (15 of 70 section items; Recall 1, Application 5, Analysis 9) — 1. Initiating and adjusting oxygen therapy; 2. Minimizing hypoxemia, for example, patient positioning, secretion removal; 3. Initiating and adjusting mask or nasal CPAP; 4. Initiating and adjusting mechanical ventilation settings a. continuous mechanical ventilation; b. noninvasive ventilation; c. high-frequency ventilation; d. alarms; 5. Recognizing and correcting patient-ventilator dyssynchrony; 6. Utilizing ventilator graphics; 7. Performing lung recruitment maneuvers; 8. Liberating a patient from mechanical ventilation
    • III.D. Administer Medications and Specialty Gases (4 of 70 section items; Recall 1, Application 3, Analysis 0) — 1. Aerosolized preparations a. antimicrobials; b. pulmonary vasodilators; c. bronchodilators; d. mucolytics / proteolytics; e. steroids; 2. Endotracheal instillation; 3. Specialty gases, for example, heliox, inhaled NO
    • III.E. Ensure Modifications are Made to the Respiratory Care Plan (18 of 70 section items; Recall 1, Application 7, Analysis 10) — 1. Treatment termination, for example, life-threatening adverse event; 2. Recommendations a. starting treatment based on patient response; b. treatment of pneumothorax; c. adjustment of fluid balance; d. adjustment of electrolyte therapy; e. insertion or change of artificial airway; f. liberating from mechanical ventilation; g. extubation; h. discontinuing treatment based on patient response; i. consultation from a physician specialist; 3. Recommendations for changes a. patient position; b. oxygen therapy; c. humidification; d. airway clearance; e. hyperinflation; f. mechanical ventilation; 4. Recommendations for pharmacologic interventions a. bronchodilators; b. anti-inflammatory drugs; c. mucolytics and proteolytics; d. aerosolized antibiotics; e. inhaled pulmonary vasodilators; f. cardiovascular; g. antimicrobials; h. sedatives and hypnotics; i. analgesics; j. narcotic antagonists; k. benzodiazepine antagonists; l. neuromuscular blocking agents; m. diuretics; n. surfactants; o. changes to drug, dosage, administration frequency, mode, or concentration
    • III.F. Utilize Evidence-Based Practice (6 of 70 section items; Recall 0, Application 2, Analysis 4) — 1. Classification of disease severity; 2. Recommendations for changes in a therapeutic plan when indicated; 3. Application of guidelines, for example, ARDSNet, NAEPP, GOLD
    • III.G. Provide Respiratory Care in High-Risk Situations (5 of 70 section items; Recall 0, Application 2, Analysis 3) — 1. Emergency a. cardiopulmonary emergencies, excluding CPR; b. disaster management; c. medical emergency team (MET) / rapid response team; 2. Interprofessional communication; 3. Patient transport a. land / air between hospitals; b. within a hospital
    • III.H. Assist a Physician / Provider in Performing Procedures (4 of 70 section items; Recall 1, Application 3, Analysis 0) — 1. Intubation; 2. Bronchoscopy; 3. Specialized bronchoscopy, for example, endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS), navigational bronchoscopy (ENB); 4. Thoracentesis; 5. Tracheotomy; 6. Chest tube insertion; 7. Insertion of arterial or venous catheters; 8. Moderate (conscious) sedation; 9. Cardioversion; 10. Withdrawal of life support
    • III.I. Conduct Patient and Family Education (3 of 70 section items; Recall 1, Application 2, Analysis 0) — 1. Safety and infection control; 2. Home care and related equipment; 3. Lifestyle changes, for example, smoking cessation, exercise; 4. Pulmonary rehabilitation; 5. Disease / condition management, for example, asthma, COPD, CF, tracheostomy care, ventilator dependent
Examination sources