NOTE:  A list of "Frequently Asked Questions" is located below.  Scroll down to view them.

To renew a respiratory therapy license, holders must complete the following prior to December 31st of the biennial period:
 

1. Submit the renewal fee (currently $30) and complete the renewal application form which is now done online.  A letter/postcard is mailed out to all licensees several months prior to the expiration date with an individualized registration code.  License holders must go to the following website and log in using their last name and the registration code:  www.mylicense.state.pa.us
    

2. Complete ALL of the following continuing education requirements in approved continuing education courses (see below for approval requirements):
   
   -  30 total hours of approved continuing education to include:
   
           -  At least 10 hours obtained through classroom lecture, clinical presentation, real-time web-cast or other live sessions where a
              presenter is involved. (Waived through 12/31/2022 renewal)

               -  At least 1 hour must be completed in medical ethics

              -  At least 1 hour must be completed in patient safety

             -  Two hours of continuing education in child abuse recognition and reporting (must be from a state approved provider)

 

    -  Credit will not be given for continuing education in basic life support, including basic cardiac life support and cardiopulmonary
      resuscitation (BLS, CPR, etc.).

    -  A licensee may apply no more than a total of  8 continuing education hours (towards the total 30 hour requirement) in advanced life
       support courses, including advanced cardiac life support (ACLS), neonatal advanced life support/neonatal resuscitation (NALS / NPR)    
       and pediatric advanced life support (PALS). 
    

Approved Continuing Education Courses
 

• The State Board approves respiratory care continuing education programs accredited by the AARC, the AMA, the AOA and the Canadien Society for Respiratory Care.   AMA continuing education programs must be in AMA PRA Category I and qualifying AOA continuing education programs must be in Category 1A or 1B.  
   

• By law, advanced life support courses (ACLS, NALS, PALS, etc) must be accredited by one of the above credentialing bodies.  Members are encouraged to make sure the course is accredited if planning to use towards meeting the continuing education requirements.
   

• Child abuse recognition & reporting courses must be from a state approved provider.  A list of provider can be found online at the following webpage:  Click here

      NOTE:  The University of Pittsburgh and PA Department of Wellfare offer a FREE approved course in child abuse recognition and
                  reporting.  You can access that course at the following page:  CLICK HERE

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• The Board will not accept courses of study which do not relate to the clinical aspects of respiratory care, such as studies in office management or practice building.
   

• Advanced course work in respiratory care successfully completed at a degree-granting institution of higher education approved by the United States Department of Education which offers academic credits is also approved for continuing education credit by the Board. Advanced course work is any course work beyond the academic requirements necessary for licensure as a respiratory therapist. Proof of completion of the academic credits shall be submitted to the Board for determination of number of continuing education hours completed.

Frequently Asked Questions

1)  "How many hours do I get for passing the RRT or other NBRC credentialing exam?"

This one is easy - none.  The state does not grant continuing education hours for the passage of this or any other credentialing exam for Respiratory Therapists and thus cannot be used to meet the educational biannual requirement to renewal an RT license. 


2)  "Can I take an ACLS or other advanced life support course and earn continuing education hours?"

Yes, you can earn continuing education hours in ACLS, PALS, NALS and NRP courses.  However, there are a few things you need to take note of when using these courses to meeting your requirement.

A)  You may use up to a TOTAL of 8 hours of the 30 required from advanced life support courses.  Any courses submitted in excess of 8 hours will be ignored by the state and will not count.

B)  You must provide documentation of the accredited hours for all courses you plan to use towards meeting your continuing education requirement.  Unfortunately, most advanced life support courses DO NOT provide a certificate of completion.  There, if you are audited, you must submit a copy of your certification card (front and back).  

C)  Note that unless you provide documentation stating otherwise, the following hours are what the state counts for advanced life support courses:

- Two Day "Initial" ACLS course - 12 hours
- One Day "Refresher" ACLS course - 6 hours

- Two Day "Initial" PALS course - 14 hours
- One Day "Refresher" PALS course - 8 hours

- One Day "Initial" NRP course - 8 hours
- 1/2 Day "Refresher" NRP course - 4 hours


3)  "I took an ACLS course.  Can I use it towards the 10 hour "live" requirement?"

Live ACLS courses can be used towards the "live" requirement.  However, since there are numerous providers of these courses and some are completed online, if you are audited, you will need to provide evidence that the hours were completed at a "live" event.  A course brochure or something similar can serve this purpose.


4)  "I attended the S.T.A.B.L.E. neonatal education program.  Can I use this to meet the continuing education requirement?"
 
The PSRC contacted the state specifically about this course as we had several members ask about it.  The state responded that the course is not accredited by the AMA, AOA, AARC or CSRC and therefore IS NOT recognized to meet the state's continuing education requirements for RTs.  


5)  "Do I have to use the Pennsylvania Child Welfare / University of Pittsburgh course in child abuse recognition and reporting or can I take some other one?"

No - you do not have to take this course.  However, you must complete a course approved by the state.  A list of these courses is available at this link:  Click Here


6)  "Does the Pennsylvania Child Welfare / University of Pittsburgh course count towards my 30 hour total requirement and, if so, how many hours does it provide?"

Yes - this child abuse course from the PCW / University of Pittsburgh CAN be counted towards the continuing education 30 hour requirement.  Note that although the course is three (3) hours long, state law allows a maximum of two (2) hours towards the 30 hour requirement.



Other Questions?

Questions regarding any of the above should be referred to the PA State Board to which you are applying.

State Board of Medicine:  717-783-1400 or email ST-MEDICINE@pa.gov.

State Board of Osteopathic Medicine:  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.

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