NBRC renewal allows respiratory therapists to maintain professional credentials and continue practicing respiratory care. The National Board for Respiratory Care manages certification standards for respiratory care practitioners across the United States. Maintaining NBRC credentials confirms that practitioners remain qualified through continuing education, updated clinical knowledge, and ongoing credential maintenance requirements.
Respiratory therapists often monitor their expiration date through their NBRC account and renew credentials before they expire. Facilities that employ respiratory care professionals frequently verify credential status before hiring or renewing contracts. Respiratory therapists who want consistent job options often maintain active NBRC credentials and license renewal status. Facilities looking for qualified respiratory therapists often work with specialized staffing partners such as Flagstar Rehab, which connects credentialed respiratory therapists with healthcare facilities across the country.
NBRC renewal confirms that respiratory therapists remain qualified to practice respiratory care. The National Board for Respiratory Care sets credential standards and verifies respiratory therapist credentials across the United States. A respiratory care practitioner earns NBRC credentials after completing an accredited respiratory therapy program and passing the required examination, and these credentials must be renewed periodically to remain valid.
Credentialed practitioners track credential expiration dates, maintain continuing education records, and submit CEU information for review during the renewal process. Respiratory therapists who do not complete renewal requirements risk having expired credentials, which can prevent them from continuing practice and may affect employment opportunities since many healthcare employers verify active credential status before hiring.
Two main respiratory therapy credentials exist through the NBRC. These credentials represent different levels of respiratory care certification.
| Credential | Description | Career Impact |
| CRT (Certified Respiratory Therapist) | Entry-level respiratory therapy credential | Allows practice in many respiratory therapy roles |
| RRT (Registered Respiratory Therapist) | Advanced respiratory therapy credential | Often required for hospital or critical care positions |
Many respiratory therapists begin with CRT credentials and later complete the RRT examination. The RRT credential often expands job opportunities and may lead to higher compensation. Credentialed practitioners with RRT status may also qualify for specialty credentials in pulmonary care, sleep diagnostics, or neonatal respiratory care.
NBRC credentials earned after July 1, 2002, remain valid for five years and must be renewed before the expiration date to maintain certification. Respiratory therapists track credential expiration through the NBRC practitioner portal, where credential data and CEU records are stored. As the expiration date approaches, practitioners submit continuing education evidence or complete testing requirements to renew their credentials.
Renewal eligibility usually opens several months before the expiration date, giving respiratory therapists time to prepare documentation and confirm CEU records. The national board reviews submitted education records and examination results before confirming active credential status.
Respiratory therapists also maintain an annual NBRC status requirement separate from credential renewal. Credentialed practitioners submit an annual fee to maintain active status.
Annual NBRC status requirements include:
Maintaining an active status prevents delays during credential renewal processing. Respiratory therapists who maintain annual status avoid additional fees or administrative holds when renewing credentials.
The credential maintenance program allows respiratory therapists to renew NBRC credentials through continuing education or additional certification. The program applies to most respiratory therapy credentials earned after July 2002. The national board created the program to confirm that respiratory therapists continue learning new respiratory care practices and clinical standards.
Credentialed practitioners must provide evidence of continuing education, complete assessments, or pass a certification examination to renew credentials. Respiratory therapists may choose from several renewal options depending on their career goals. The CMP system allows respiratory therapists to track CEUs, submit educational activity records, and verify credential status through the NBRC practitioner portal.
Respiratory therapists may renew NBRC credentials through three common options.
Many respiratory therapists select the continuing education option because it allows them to renew credentials while continuing to work. Educational activity sponsors often include professional conferences, workshops, lectures, or online respiratory care courses.
Respiratory therapists must complete CEUs related to respiratory care practice as part of the credential maintenance program. Educational activity records must include course details and verification from approved sponsors. Typical CEU subjects include general respiratory care, pulmonary diagnostic technology, neonatal or pediatric respiratory care, sleep disorder testing, and pulmonary function technology.
Many respiratory therapists complete approximately 30 hours of continuing education during the five-year renewal cycle. CEU requirements vary depending on the specialty credentials held by the respiratory care practitioner.
The NBRC practitioner portal allows respiratory therapists to manage credential information and renewal requirements. Practitioners access the portal using an account created with an email and password. The portal stores credential records, CEU information, examination history, and renewal eligibility data. Respiratory therapists often use the portal to verify credential status and submit educational activity documentation.
Credentialed practitioners enter continuing education course information through the portal during the credential maintenance cycle. The portal displays completed CEUs and remaining requirements. Respiratory therapists can track renewal progress and confirm when renewal becomes available during the final months before credential expiration.
Respiratory therapists complete the renewal process by following several steps.
The national board reviews the submitted information and processes the renewal request. Respiratory therapists receive confirmation once the credential renewal has been approved.
NBRC credential renewal and state license renewal serve different purposes. NBRC credentials verify professional competency and knowledge in respiratory care. State license renewal grants legal authorization for respiratory therapists to practice within a specific state. Respiratory therapists typically must maintain both credentials and state licenses to continue working.
State licensing boards manage respiratory care practitioner licenses and monitor continuing education requirements. Many states require respiratory therapists to renew licenses every two years. Licensing boards verify education records and confirm that therapists meet state regulatory requirements.
State license renewal often requires respiratory therapists to submit continuing education evidence and complete a renewal application form. Licensing requirements usually include completing board-approved continuing education courses, paying license renewal fees, and updating practitioner information records. These steps help state boards confirm that respiratory therapists remain qualified to continue practicing.
Practicing with an expired license may result in disciplinary action or restrictions. Respiratory therapists must verify license expiration dates and submit renewal documentation before the license expires.
Expired NBRC credentials may limit employment opportunities for respiratory therapists. Hospitals and healthcare employers frequently verify credential status before hiring respiratory care practitioners. If credentials expire, respiratory therapists may need to retake the certification examination or apply for reinstatement through the national board.
Credential reinstatement usually requires submitting an application form and paying additional processing fees. Respiratory therapists who allow credentials to remain expired for extended periods may need to meet new certification requirements. Maintaining active credentials prevents interruptions in employment eligibility.
Respiratory therapists typically have a limited period to reinstate expired credentials.
Common reinstatement steps include:
Credentialed practitioners who complete reinstatement requirements may regain credential status without restarting the entire certification process.
Specialty credentials allow respiratory therapists to expand professional expertise in advanced respiratory care areas. The national board offers specialty credentials in several respiratory therapy disciplines. These credentials demonstrate advanced clinical knowledge and may increase employment opportunities.
Respiratory therapists often pursue specialty credentials after earning CRT or RRT certification. Specialty certification may qualify respiratory therapists for leadership roles or specialized clinical departments.
Examples of respiratory therapy specialty credentials include:
Specialty credentials may extend credential renewal cycles and enhance professional credibility. Respiratory therapists working in specialized hospital departments often hold these additional certifications.
Healthcare facilities rely on credential verification to confirm respiratory therapist qualifications before hiring. Employers verify NBRC credentials through national board databases to confirm that respiratory care practitioners have completed required education, testing, and credential maintenance requirements. Active credential status helps respiratory therapists remain eligible for hospital employment and contract placements.
Demand for respiratory therapists continues to grow due to respiratory disease treatment, aging populations, and hospital care needs. Hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and pulmonary clinics frequently require licensed respiratory therapists and may work with respiratory staffing providers to identify credentialed professionals.
Respiratory therapists with active credentials have several employment pathways in the healthcare industry. Many facilities require credential verification before hiring respiratory therapists for patient care positions. Credential maintenance allows respiratory therapists to continue working in hospital environments and specialized respiratory therapy departments.
Common respiratory therapist job options include hospital respiratory therapy positions, rehabilitation centers, long-term care facilities, and travel therapy assignments. Healthcare facilities frequently partner with staffing agencies to fill respiratory therapy vacancies. Staffing agencies help respiratory therapists identify contract assignments and full-time roles that match credential status and experience.
Respiratory therapist job environments include:
Respiratory therapists seeking flexible job placements often explore staffing options that connect credentialed practitioners with healthcare facilities nationwide. Professionals who maintain active NBRC credentials remain competitive candidates for these opportunities.
NBRC renewal allows respiratory therapists to maintain professional credentials and continue practicing respiratory care. Respiratory therapists renew credentials through continuing education, specialty certification, or examination testing within the credential maintenance program. Maintaining active NBRC credentials and state licenses helps respiratory therapists remain eligible for hospital, rehabilitation, and contract therapy positions.
Flagstar Rehab helps connect credentialed respiratory therapists with healthcare facilities that require qualified respiratory care professionals. The company works with therapists seeking contract assignments, travel placements, and long-term respiratory therapy roles. Respiratory therapists who maintain active credentials and license renewal status often access broader job opportunities across healthcare systems. Contact us to learn more about respiratory therapist staffing opportunities.
The NBRC Credential Maintenance Program usually requires an annual NBRC fee of about $25 to maintain active status. Additional fees may apply if a respiratory therapist chooses to renew through examination testing instead of continuing education. Current fee details can be reviewed in the NBRC practitioner portal.
Respiratory therapists renew an RRT license in California through the Respiratory Care Board of California. License renewal typically occurs every two years and requires continuing education and submission of a renewal form. The license must be renewed before the expiration date to continue practicing legally.
The passing score for an NBRC exam depends on the specific credential examination. The national board sets the passing score based on exam analysis and testing standards. Respiratory therapists can review score requirements in the NBRC candidate handbook.
The NBRC Adult Critical Care Specialist exam typically costs about $300, though fees may change. Respiratory therapists must hold RRT credentials before applying for the ACCS exam. Applications and payments are submitted through the NBRC practitioner portal.