Welcome to the PSRC Legal Credentialing webpage! On this page you will find information on how to legally practice Respiratory Care in Pennsylvania. Please note that laws and regulations are subject to change so keep an eye on the Governmental Affairs page on a regular basis for updates and the latest information.
Click on the following links to be taken directly to the sections related to this information below:
1. Continuing Education Requirement for Respiratory Therapists in Pennsylvania
2. Who May Obtain A Credential To Practice Respiratory Care In Pennsylvania?
3. Certificate vs License (outlines the differences between them)
4. Temporary Permit To Practice (explains what a Temporary Permit is and how to get one)
5. How To Obtain A Credential To Practice Respiratory Care In Pennsylvania
6. How do I contact the PA State Board of Medicine or Board of Osteopathic Medicine?
NOTE: The information contained on this page has been gathered from multiple sources including the
Pennsylvania Code, the Bureau of Professional Affairs, the State Board of Medicine and more.
While the PSRC makes every attempt to assure the accuracy of the information contained on
this page, we encourage viewers to contact the agencies listed above for the most up to date
information.
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Continuing Education Requirement
For Pennsylvania Respiratory Therapists
We receive a LOT of questions about the continuing education requirement for RTs in Pennsylvania. In fact, there's so much information, we've created a whole page dedicated to it. CLICK HERE to learn everything you need to know!
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Certificate vs License
Respiratory therapists are technically not licensed in Pennsylvania but instead receive certification from
either the PA State Board of Medicine or the State Board of Osteopathic Medicine. These two boards
are the groups that license physicians in the state. In addition to certifying respiratory therapists, these boards also provide certification for physician assistants, athletic trainers, and nurse midwives. Each of these professions takes turns having a seat on the Board(s). Currently, a respiratory therapist is seated
on the State Board of Medicine but not the Osteopathic Board of Medicine.
Why aren't respiratory therapists licensed in PA? Back in the very early 1990s, their was a major push
by RTs to gain licensure in the state. However, state legislators were very clear in their response to this movement and stated that too many licenses had already been granted in Pennsylvania and placed a moratorium on granting licenses. The RTs leading the movement were then advised to seek certification
by under an existing licensure board and the physician boards made the most sense.
This has caused great confusion as the majority of RTs in the state believe they are "licensed". The
main distinction between a licensure vs certification is the existence of a licensing board that issues the license and handles all aspects of the license. This includes promulgating the rules and regulations regarding and the enforcement of those regulations. The costs associated with having a licensing board
are passed along in the form of a higher annual or bi-annual licensing fee. Since RTs in Pennsylvania
are under one of the two physician licensing boards, the cost of a license is one of the lowest in the
country!
Other than the distinction outlined above, certification is nearly identical to licensure. There is a scope
of practice, requirements for continuing education, and a well defined set of rules and regulations by
which all RTs must abide.
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Who May 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. Applicants for state certification fall into one
of two main categories including:
1. A student who has graduated or is about to graduate from a CoARC approved Respiratory Care
Program and who has not yet taken the NBRC's Entry Level Exam (CRT).
2. A respiratory therapist who has already passed the NBRC's Entry Level Examination (CRT). This
includes those who have moved to Pennsylvania from another state.
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Temporary Permit To Practice
Both the State Board of Medicine & the State Board of Osteopathic Medicine offer a "Temporary Permit" to practice to individuals who have graduated from a CoARC accredited entry level Respiratory Care Program and who have not yet taken the NBRC's Entry Level (CRT) exam. In addition, students who are expected to graduate within 30 days from one of these educational programs may also apply for a temporary permit.
A graduate therapist who obtains a temporary permit to practice may legally practice as a Respiratory Therapist in the state without restriction. However, temporary permits expire 12 months after issuance. In addition, temporary permits immediately expire upon failure of the NBRC Entry Level exam (CRT). Temporary permits cannot be renewed and no additional permits will be issued once the initial permit has expired. It is unlawful to continue practicing as a Respiratory Therapist on an expired temporary permit.
Note: Individuals who have already earned the NBRC's Entry Level credential (CRT) are ineligible for a temporary permit and must apply for state certification.
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How To Obtain A
Temporary Permit To Practice
You must be a graduate (or expected to graduate) from a CoARC accredited entry level Respiratory Care Program and have not yet taken the NBRC's Entry Level (CRT) exam.
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.
Download an application to obtain a credential by clicking here. This application can be used to apply for a credential from either the State Board of Medicine or Osteopathic Board of Medicine. Note that those individuals who have not yet graduated, please note that the form may not be completed or submitted more than 30 days prior to graduation.
Carefully follow the instructions on the application document. 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. Note that the process is different for someone who is expecting to graduate within 30 days versus someone who has already graduated.
Once you receive your temporary permit in the mail, and not before, you may begin practicing as a respiratory therapist. Remember the permit expires upon failure of the NBRC Entry Level (CRT) exam or 12 months from the date it is issued, whichever comes first!
When you attempt the NBRC's Entry Level (CRT) exam, you have two possible outcomes:
A) If you PASS the exam, 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. When the Board receives your passing exam scores, your
temporary permit will automatically be transferred to a certification. You may continue
practicing on your temporary permit while you await receipt of your state credential
providing it has not expired due to the expiration date. However, if your permit has expired
you may NOT continue to practice until you receive your state credential.
B) If you FAIL the exam, your temporary permit immediately expires and you may no longer
practice as a Respiratory Therapist until you successfully pass the examination.
Practicing with an expired permit is unlawful and can result in severe disciplinary action.
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How To Obtain A Credential To Practice
Respiratory Care In Pennsylvania
1. 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.
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. Carefully follow the instructions on the application document. Be sure to check the box to indicate
under which Board of Medicine you would like to be certified and be sure to sign and date where
indicated.
4. 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.
5. The page entitled "Affidavit of Employment for Grandfather Applicants" may be discarded.
6. 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.
7. 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.
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For More Information....
To visit the PA State Board of Medicine, click here
To visit the Osteopathic Board of Medicine, click here