A respiratory therapist license issued by either the PA State Board of Medicine or the PA State Board of Osteopathic Medicine has an expiration date.  All RT licenses expire every two years on December 31st of even numbered years.  Approximately 90-120 days prior to expiration, licensees are contacted via mail and notified that it is time to renew the license.  The renewal of a license is a fairly simple process whereby the licensee answers some questions online and testifies that they have completed the requirements (including the required number and type of continuing education hours) to renew the license.  If this form is completed, the renewal fee is paid, and there are no deficiencies or other issues, the license is typically renewed without the need for a full Board review.
 
NOTE:  Actively working as an RT is not required to renew a license at this time.
 
If the license is not renewed, it becomes automatically "expired" following the expiration date.  Further, an RT may request in writing to have the state make their license “inactive”.  However, there is no practical difference between “expired” and “inactive” status – the reactivation process would be the same. Once a license becomes inactive/expired, the requirements to "reactivate” it are based on the length of time that the license has been inactive/expired.  


To Reactivate An Expired or Inactive RT License in PA:

For a license that has been inactive/expired less than 4 years:
 

• Contact the Board office at 717-783-1400 or 717-787-2381 or via email at st-medicine@state.pa.us to request a reactivation application packet. You will need to provide your full name, license number, last four digits of your social security number, date of birth and current mailing address. A reactivation application will be mailed to you. If you choose to reactivate your license to active status, you would be required to meet the Board’s continuing education requirements prior to applying for a reactivation application. You can obtain information regarding the CME requirements on our website at www.dos.state.pa.us/med.
   

• You will be required to provide a current Curriculum Vitae listing all periods of employment or unemployment (i.e., child rearing, research, etc.) for at least the past 10 years. If your initial license in Pennsylvania was issued within the past 10 years, please provide activities from date of initial licensure to the present.  The list must be in chronological order, including the month and year, and indicate the state/territory in which the employment occurred.
   

• You will also be required to provide proof of completing the continuing education requirement for the preceding licensing period.  Acceptable proof includes certificates of completion from educational events accredited by the AARC, AMA or AOA.  In addition, the state accepts the official "Online Educational Transcript" available to members of the American Association for Respiratory Care which lists attendance at AARC accredited courses.

 

For a license that has been inactive/expired 4 years or more:
 

• A reactivation application for a Pennsylvania license which has been inactive/expired for four years or more will require a review by the full Board.  In addition to the above steps, the Board has the authority to place conditions on the applicant's return to practice in order to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public.  The Board may require applicants who have not actively practiced for four years or more and are requesting reactivation of an inactive/expired license/certification to:

      1)  Successfully complete a current licensing examination (CRT or RRT - to be determined by the Board.)

      2)  Successfully complete a clinical skills evaluation and/or retraining program. This may delay the reactivation of your license until an
           approved skills evaluation and/or retraining program has been successfully completed.


Questions?

Questions regarding any of the above should be referred to the Board under which you are licensed. The State Board of Medicine can be reached at 717-783-1400 or email ST-MEDICINE@pa.gov. The State Board of Osteopathic Medicine can be reached at 717-783-4858 or email ST-OSTEOPATHIC@pa.gov.


NOTE:   This web page is provided as a service to AARC / PSRC members.  The information provided has been obtained from various resources including the websites of the PA State Board of Medicine and the PA State Board of Osteopathic Medicine, as well as the official forms found on the site.  The PSRC is not responsible for errors or misinterpretations provided on this page as requirements can change without notice. Users should contact the State Board of Medicine or the State Board of Osteopathic Medicine with any questions they may have.