Continuing Education Requirements for
Pennsylvania Respiratory Therapists
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Q: How many continuing education hours must I complete?
A: Respiratory therapists are currently required to complete 20 hours of approved continuing
education courses during each biennial period (currently 1/1/07 through 12/31/08)
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Q: What are the rules concerning the courses I can take to complete my requirement?
A: There are multiple rules that must be followed to ensure that the courses you complete
meet the requirements of the PA State Board of Medicine and Osteopathiy. These include:
1. The State Boards accept respiratory care continuing education programs that have been
approved by one of the following accrediting agencies ONLY:
A. American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC)
B. American Medical Association (AMA) - PRA Category I only
C. American Osteopathic Association (AOA) - Category 1A and 1B only
D. Canadian Society for Respiratory Therapy (CSRT)
2. A minimum of 10 hours must be obtained via traditional "live" methods (i.e. through
lecture, clinical presentation, real-time web-cast, etc.) where a presenter is involved.
3. Included in the biennial 20 hour total requirement, a one (1) hour course on a medical
ethics topic and a one (1) hour course on a patient safety topic must be completed.
These courses can be completed via traditional ("live") or non-traditional (internet, journal,
etc.) methods.
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Q: I just moved to Pennsylvania and have an RT license in another state OR I passed
my CRT exam sometime in 2007 or 2008. Do I need to complete any continuing
education hours to renew my license at the end of 2008?
A: In both of these circumstances, the practitioner is NOT required to complete any continuing
education courses through 12/31/08 provided this is the first time they are obtaining a
certificate to practice from the state. The practitioner WILL need to complete 20 hours of
continuing education during the period January 1, 2008 - December 31, 2009 and biennially
thereafter.
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Q: How long do I need to keep a record of my continuing education records?
A: Section D of the continuing education regulations state that you must keep your continuing education records for at least 2 years after the biennial period has ended.
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Q: What will I need to send to the PA Board of Medicine or Osteopathic Medicine as
proof of my completed continuing education courses?
A: Respiratory therapists are not be required to send in proof of completed continuing
education courses when they renew their state credential. During the renewal process,
therapists must sign a declaration that they have met the continuing education
requirement. Shortly after the license renewals are processed, continuing education audits
are performed. The therapists chosen for audit will be required to send in proof of
completion to the Board. Audited therapists who cannot provide proof of completion of 20
hours of approved courses will be subject to disciplinary action by the Board.
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Q: If I complete more than 20 hours of approved continuing education prior to the
renewal deadline of 12/31/06, can I carry the extra hours over to the next renewal
cycle?
A: Hours in excess of 20 completed during any biennial licensing cycle cannot be carried over
to the following cycle.
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Q: Do course in ACLS, NALS, PALS, etc. count towards my continuing education
requirement?
A: Courses in ACLS, NALS, PALS, etc. can be used to meet the continuing education
requirement for respiratory therapists IF the course is accredited by one of the approved
accrediting agencies (see Question 2 above).
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Q: How many hours can courses in ACLS, NRP, PALS, etc. count towards fulfilling my
continuing education requirement?
A: The number of continuing education hours these courses provide varies by course. Initial
certification courses in ACLS and PALS typically provide up to 16 hours with refresher
courses providing up to 8 hours. NRP courses typically offer up to 8 hours for initial
certification and up to 4 hours for recertification.
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Q: Do I have to join the AARC / PSRC to get continuing education?
A: No. However, AARC membership (which includes free PSRC membership) includes a host
of benefits many of which are directly related to continuing education. These include
discounted registration for live events, free educational events and much, much more! The
savings realized by attending one program alone as a member (vs non-member) is often
worth the price of membership!
Another very important benefit of membership in the AARC is the online electronic
continuing education transcript that all members receive. This allows AARC members to
quickly print a record of all of the AARC approved continuing education courses they
attended during any given time period. The member simply logs on to the AARC website,
enters their membership number and within seconds they can print out proof of attendance
at continuing education events that is accepted by the State Board of Medicine. This
eliminates the need to keep paper copies of certificates of completion over the two year
licensing cycle. To view an example of an electronic transcript, click here!
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