Education

• Those entering the field are graduates of two or four year training programs.
• Since December 31, 2001 all one year, non-degreed programs have been phased out.
• Now there is a minimum of an associate degree required offered principally by community colleges.

Less common, although growing in number, are four-year baccalaureate degree programs. Graduate degree programs are also beginning to be seen.

Credentialing

• Respiratory care practitioners are tested and gain their credentials from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).
• There is no testing done by any agency in Texas, however, scores from the Entry Level Examination for the Certified Respiratory Therapist examination are sent to the Texas Department of Health so that a person may receive the Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) credential.
• In Texas it is mandatory to have the RCP. There is also some type of mandatory regulation in all 48 continental states.

Specialty Credentialing

The NBRC also has a certification (Certified Pulmonary Function Technician - CPFT) and a registry (Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist - RPFT) for pulmonary function testing.

For persons working with children there is the Neonatal/Pediatric Respiratory Care Specialist exam (NPS).

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