How To Obtain a Credential To Practice Respiratory Care in Pennsylvania

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania requires that all Respiratory Care practitioners prove competence by successfully completing the NBRC's Entry Level Exam (CRT). There are also additional qualifications related to abuse, drug and alcohol, and felony convictions. In addition, the state will issue a "Temporary Permit" to practice to individuals who are a graduate of an CoARC accredited entry level Respiratory Care Program who have not yet taken the NBRC's CRT exam. Individuals who are expected to graduate within 30 days from a CoARC accredited entry level Respiratory Care Program may also apply for a temporary permit.

  • If you have already passed the NBRC's Entry Level Examination (CRT), click here for instructions on obtaining a credential to practice.

  • If you are a graduate (or expected to graduate within 30 days) of a CoARC approved Respiratory Care program and have not yet taken the NBRC Entry Level Exam (CRT), click here.



INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLICANTS WHO HOLD NBRC CERTIFICATION:

  1. The first step in obtaining a credential to practice in the state is to choose which of the two Boards of Medicine through which you wish to be credentialed. Pennsylvania law allows for two credentialing boards including the PA State Board of Medicine and the PA State Board of Osteopathic Medicine to credential respiratory therapists. The majority of therapists in the state are licensed through the State Board of Medicine (about 90%). The credentialing fees, rules and processes are similar. However, your credential will be governed by whichever Board you choose.

  2. Download an application to obtain a credential by clicking here. This application can be used to apply for a credential from either Board of Medicine.

  3. Complete the information on page 1 of the application. Be sure to check the box to indicate under which Board of Medicine you would like to be certified. Complete the remaining information.

  4. Answer the questions on page 2 and be sure to sign and date the bottom of the page.

  5. Complete the Verification of Education on page 3 of the application and send to the respiratory care program where you graduated. The program must send the completed form directly to the Board office in an official school envelope.

  6. Page 4 may be discarded unless you are applying under the "Grandfather Clause".

  7. Contact the NBRC at 8310 Nieman Road, Lenexa, KS 66214 or by phone at (913) 599-4200 and arrange for your exam scores to be sent directly to the Board in an official envelope. The NBRC may charge for verification of your credential.

  8. Request letters of good standing from every state licensing Board where you have ever held a license/certificate to practice respiratory care. Letters must come directly from the licensing agency to the Board office.

  9. Attach a curriculum vitae listing all periods of employment or unemployment (i.e, child rearing, research, etc.) from graduation from the respiratory care program to date. The list must be in chronological order, include the month and year, and indicate the state/territory in which the employment occurred.

  10. Mail the completed application, curriculum vitae and a check or money order for $30 (payable to the Commonwealth of PA) to either the State Board of Medicine OR the State Board of Osteopathic Medicine (pick one). The mailing address is the same:
    P.O. Box 2649
    Harrisburg, PA 17105-2649



Temporary Permit

  1. The state will issue a "Temporary Permit" to practice to individuals who are a graduate of an CoARC accredited entry level Respiratory Care Program who have not yet taken the NBRC's CRT exam. Individuals who are expected to graduate within 30 days from a CoARC accredited entry level Respiratory Care Program may also apply for a temporary permit.

  2. The first step in obtaining a temporary permit to practice in the state is to choose which of the two Boards of Medicine through which you wish to ultimately be credentialed. Pennsylvania law allows for two credentialing boards including the PA State Board of Medicine and the PA State Board of Osteopathic Medicine to credential respiratory therapists. The majority of therapists in the state are licensed through the State Board of Medicine (about 90%). The credentialing fees, rules and processes are similar. However, your credential will be governed by whichever Board you choose. The Board you choose for your Temporary Permit will also be the Board that ultimately issues you a credential to practice. The total fee required for a temporary permit and certification is $60.

  3. Temporary permits will expire within 12 months of issuance or upon failure of the NBRC exam, whichever occurs first. No additional permits will be issued should the expiration date be reached.

  4. If you have not yet graduated but are expected to graduate within 30 days from a CoARC accredited respiratory care program or if you are a graduate of a CoARC accredited respiratory care program and have not yet taken the NBRC's CRT examination:
    • For those individuals who have not yet graduated, please note that the form may not be completed and submitted more than 30 days prior to graduation.

    • Download an application to obtain a credential by clicking here. This application can be used to apply for a credential from either the StateBoard of Medicine.

    • Complete the information on page 1 of the application. Be sure to check the box to indicate under which Board of Medicine you would like to be certified. In addition, be sure to check the box indicating you desire a Temporary Permit. Complete the remaining information.

    • Answer the questions on page 2 and be sure to sign and date the bottom of the page.

    • Complete the Verification of Education on page 3 of the application and send to the respiratory care program where you graduated. The program must send the completed form directly to the Board office in an official school envelope.

    • Attach a curriculum vitae listing all periods of employment or unemployment (i.e, child rearing, research, etc.) from graduation from the respiratory care program to date. The list must be in chronological order, include the month and year, and indicate the state/territory in which the employment occurred.

    • Mail the completed application, curriculum vitae and a check or money order for $30 (payable to the Commonwealth of PA) to either the State Board of Medicine OR the State Board of Osteopathic Medicine (pick one). The mailing address is the same:
      P.O. Box 2649
      Harrisburg, PA 17105-2649

    • The respiratory care practioner examination application can be downloaded or filed online through the NBRC’s website at www.nbrc.org. Make sure you request that your exam scores are sent directly to the State Board in an official envelope. When the Board receives your passing exam scores, your temporary permit will automatically be transferred to a certification.




Click Here for the PA State Board of Medicine website. Phone: 717-783-1400


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Click Here for the PA State Board of Osteopathic Medicine website. Phone: 717-783-4558