The RRT credential is nationally recognized as the “standard of excellence” for respiratory care professionals.
The examinations for the RRT credential objectively and uniformly measure essential knowledge, skills and abilities required of advanced respiratory therapists. The NBRC evaluates the competency of respiratory therapists and ensures that graduates of accredited respiratory care education programs have every opportunity to earn the RRT credential. It is in high demand nationwide, and we work diligently to help to fill the shortage of qualified respiratory therapists in the field.
The first examination for earning the RRT is the Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) Examination (prior to January 2015, it was known as the Written Registry Examination). The TMC Examination evaluates the abilities required of respiratory therapists at entry into practice and determines eligibility for the Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE). The CRT and/or RRT credentials are used as the basis for the licensure in all 49 states that regulate the practice of respiratory care.
For more information, click or tap on a topic below, or visit our TMC Exam FAQs.
The TMC Examination has two cut scores. You must achieve the high cut score to become eligible for the CSE, and a passing score on the CSE is required for earning the RRT credential. The low cut score earns credentials as a Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT). You will be given three hours to complete the TMC Examination, which consists of 160 multiple-choice questions (140 scored items and 20 pretest items).
For specific TMC exam content, refer to the Detailed Content Outlines.
The CSE consists of 22 problems (20 scored items and 2 pretest items). The clinical setting and patient situation for each problem are designed to simulate reality and be relevant to the clinical practice of respiratory care. You will be given four hours to complete the CSE. For specific CSE exam content, refer to the detailed content outlines.
Please ensure you meet the following requirements before applying for the TMC Examination:
1. Be 18 years of age or older.
and
2. Be a graduate of and have a minimum of an associate degree from an entry into practice respiratory therapy education program supported or accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).
or
3. Be a CRT for at least four years prior to applying for the examinations associated with the RRT credential. In addition, the applicant shall have at least 62 semester hours of college credit from a college or university accredited by its regional association or its equivalent. The 62 semester hours of college credit must include the following courses: anatomy and physiology, chemistry, microbiology, and mathematics. Click here for more information about CRT-to-Registry.
or
4. Be a CRT for at least two years prior to applying for the examinations associated with the RRT credential. In addition, the applicant shall have earned a minimum of an associate degree from an accredited entry-level respiratory care education program.
or
5. Be a CRT for at least two years prior to applying for the examinations associated with the RRT credential. In addition, the applicant shall have earned a baccalaureate degree in an area other than respiratory care and shall have at least 62 semester hours of college credit from a college or university accredited by its regional association or equivalent. The 62 semester hours of college credit must include the following courses: anatomy and physiology, chemistry, microbiology, and mathematics. Click here for more information about CRT-to-Registry.
or
6. Hold the Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists (CSRT) RRT credential.
A free TMC practice examination is available so you may familiarize yourself with the content and types of questions that will be included on the credentialing exam.
ATTENTION – By accessing this examination, you agree not to reproduce, distribute, disclose, offer for sale, or sell any portion of these copyrighted National Board for Respiratory Care, Inc. materials in any format. Failure to comply with these terms may result in disciplinary action by the National Board for Respiratory Care, Inc. including loss of your credential, losing your ability to retake an examination, and/or legal action related to copyright infringement.
Anyone planning to take the TMC Examination can assess how they will perform before actually attempting the examination by taking the official NBRC Self-Assessment Exam (SAE). The feedback from the SAE provides an opportunity to evaluate and remedy less-than-desirable examination performance before taking the credentialing examination. The official SAEs are the only products that provide the respective examination committees’ rationale for the best response to each question. There are two forms of the TMC Self-Assessment Examination available.
Official SAEs are only available in web-based format for purchase online through the NBRC’s testing agency, PSI. PSI’s e-store offers all currently available NBRC web-based SAEs for purchase online.
To take an online SAE, you must have:
• A compatible internet browser such as the current version of Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox or Safari. Other browsers may not work.
• Cookies and scripting must be enabled.
• Pop-up blocking must be disabled.
After your order is placed, you will receive a confirmation e-mail with specific instructions guiding you through the examination process. The e-mail contains your private password that allows you to receive individualized feedback on your performance. You will have 90 days from the time you receive your confirmation e-mail to complete the examination.
Please note: If you purchase an NBRC SAE, your credit card statement will reflect a purchase from LXR.
ATTENTION – By accessing this examination, you agree not to reproduce, distribute, disclose, offer for sale, or sell any portion of these copyrighted National Board for Respiratory Care, Inc. materials in any format. Failure to comply with these terms may result in disciplinary action by the National Board for Respiratory Care, Inc. including loss of your credential, losing your ability to retake an examination, and/or legal action related to copyright infringement.
Please ensure you meet the following requirements before applying for the CSE Examination:
1. Be a CRT and have successfully completed the Therapist Written Examination (WRRT) or the Therapist Multiple-Choice Examination (TMC) at the high cut score.
and
2. Be a graduate of and have a minimum of an associate degree from an advanced level respiratory therapy education program supported or accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).
or
3. Be a CRT for at least four years prior to applying for the examinations associated with the RRT credential. In addition, the applicant shall have at least 62 semester hours of college credit from a college or university accredited by its regional association or its equivalent. The 62 semester hours of college credit must include the following courses: anatomy and physiology, chemistry, microbiology, and mathematics.
or
4. Be a CRT for at least two years prior to applying for the examinations associated with the RRT credential. In addition, the applicant shall have earned a minimum of an associate degree from an accredited entry-level respiratory care education program.
or
5. Be a CRT for at least two years prior to applying for the examinations associated with the RRT credential. In addition, the applicant shall have earned a baccalaureate degree in an area other than respiratory care and shall have at least 62 semester hours of college credit from a college or university accredited by its regional association or equivalent. The 62 semester hours of college credit must include the following courses: anatomy and physiology, chemistry, microbiology, and mathematics.
or
6. Hold the Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists (CSRT) RRT credential.
The NBRC continually receives inquiries regarding the CRT-to-Registry provision of the admission policies for the examinations associated with the RRT. If you have questions that are not answered below, or if you need further clarification of this admission policy, please contact the NBRC Executive Office.
To qualify for the CRT-to-Registry admission you must be one of the following:
