Respiratory Therapy Resources

Three national organizations form the backbone of respiratory therapy credentialing and education in the United States. Understanding the distinct role of each helps RTs navigate their professional obligations — from initial licensure to credential maintenance.

The AARC functions as the professional society, providing advocacy, clinical practice guidelines, CEU resources, and annual conference programming. Membership is optional but broadly valued for professional development.

The NBRC administers the credentialing examinations that lead to the CRT and RRT designations — the standard credentials required or recognized by most state licensure boards. Checking the NBRC website directly is the authoritative source for credential verification and continuing competency requirements.

CoARC accredits respiratory therapy educational programs. When evaluating RT school options, verifying CoARC accreditation status ensures the program meets national standards.

Respiratory therapy is regulated at the state level, and requirements vary significantly across jurisdictions. Most states require a state license in addition to NBRC credentials, but the specific credential tier required (CRT vs RRT), renewal cycle, continuing education hours, and jurisprudence requirements differ by state.

RTB2 maintains a state-by-state licensure reference built from publicly available board information. Use it as a starting point — but always verify directly with your state's respiratory care board before relying on any specific requirement, as rules change and board websites are the authoritative source.

Manufacturer websites are primary sources for ventilator operational manuals, alarm reference guides, mode-specific documentation, and clinical training programs. RTB2 is not affiliated with any manufacturer listed here — these links are provided for educational reference.

Most major manufacturers offer free online clinical education libraries for clinicians, including ventilator mode explanations, setup guides, and case-based learning. When managing a ventilator model that is less familiar, the manufacturer's clinical education portal is often the most reliable and device-specific resource available.

Note: Product lines change and websites are updated frequently. Verify current models and resources directly on manufacturer sites.

Evidence-based clinical practice guidelines from major medical societies inform the standards of care that respiratory therapists are expected to follow. Understanding where to find these guidelines — and how to evaluate their relevance to your clinical setting — is part of professional competency.

The ATS and CHEST produce the most RT-relevant guidelines, covering mechanical ventilation, ARDS, COPD, and pulmonary function testing. The NIH NHLBI and CDC are primary sources for research-based guidance on respiratory disease management and public health recommendations.

Guidelines are periodically updated. Check publication dates and look for the most current version before applying guideline recommendations to clinical decisions.

Continuing education is required to maintain NBRC credentials and many state licenses. The NBRC continuing competency program requires RRTs to complete ongoing CE activities during each credential maintenance cycle. State-specific CE requirements may differ in hours, approved topics, or provider accreditation.

AARC CRCE (Continuing Respiratory Care Education) credits are the primary accreditation currency for CE in respiratory therapy. Before enrolling in any course, verify that it carries current AARC CRCE approval and confirm that NBRC and your state board accept those credits for your specific credential.

The following guides are written by the RTB2 editorial team — respiratory therapists and clinical educators — for RT students, new graduates, and experienced clinicians who want a structured, clinically focused reference. Each guide is written specifically for respiratory therapy practice, not adapted from general medical references.

These overviews are designed to complement formal education and clinical training, not replace them. All content follows the same disclaimer as the RTB2 Learning Center: for educational reference only, follow your facility's protocols and physician direction for patient care.