Become a Respiratory Therapist

The BECOME series is a very straight forward set of articles on this blog setup to outline the general process for becoming eligible to practice in a profession.  This advice is accurate to the best of the authors knowledge.

Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care

1. Take the ACT or SAT or college specific entry-level placement examinations
2. Apply to a College or University that is accredited by the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care.
3. Once accepted, apply to the Division/College of Respiratory Care.  Sometimes this requires that you have taken 1 year of freshmen courses as "pre-requisite" courses in order to be accepted. 
4. Take pre-requisite courses as outlined by the degree curriculum.
5. Once accepted to the Division of Respiratory Care, complete the course-work as outlined.
6. Graduate with an Associate of Science in Respiratory Care, a Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care or a Master of Science in Respiratory Care.

After Graduation

1. Apply for the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC)  Entry Level Examination
2. Once you've passed the Entry-Level examination, you are a Certified Respiratory Therapist.  A CRT is eligible to sit for the NBRC Advanced Practice Examinations
3. Apply for the Written Registry Examination and Clinical Simulation Examination
4. Once you've passed the Advanced-Practice examinations, you are a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) You may apply for a state or regional license to practice.
5. Some states allow a RT to be a CRT but most require an RT to be a RRT in order to apply for a state license.
6. A Respiratory Therapist with a University degree, registered by the NBRC, and licensed to practice is now a "Respiratory Therapist" and may practice respiratory care in the place they are licensed.

Professional pathway is accurate as of May 30, 2012.  This is United States specific.