How RT’s are credentialed is different than the way RN’s are credentialed. Well, no so different in the way but the how it happens.

In my state, the RN licensure seems pretty streamlined although somewhat confusing when you get information
From unreliable sources. You graduate from your RN program, be it BSN or ADN, apply to the state For licensure, pay your $209 dollars, register at Pearson Vue, pay your $200 and wait for your ATT. Once the ATT is received you may schedule your exam.

Exams are adaptive and you have to answer a minimum of 76 questions to a maximum of 256 questions.

In my state you then become a graduate nurse and can work with limited scope and can seek further specialized training in the graduate nurse programs offered by many hospitals.

For RT’s we have either an AS program or a BS program as it stands right now. There used to be a one year diploma program and on the job training (we call them old therapist OJT’ers. They are a dying breed.) We were once called inhalation therapists as well.

The minimum education required to be an RT is two years or the AS degree. A 4 year BS degree is also available. Upon graduation from the AS or BS degree program the student becomes registry eligible but still must pass the national Certified Respiratory Technician (or CRT exam) in order to get CRT licensure. The CRT exam is 140 questions with 20 pretest or pilot questions. The cost is $190.

After the CRT exam is taken and past the student becomes a Certified Respiratory TECHNICIAN and can beginWork as an RT. In my state, you used to be able to work in the hospital, As a STUDENT after you finished your first clinical rotation (floor respiratory therapy). That is no longer true.

The Registered Respiratory THERAPIST exam can be taken within days of the CRT if you wish. But generally people work and get some experience first. The Registered Respiratory THERAPIST exam (advanced) or RRT exam consists of two parts: the Written and the clinical simulations.

The written part of the exam
Consists of 100 questions and 15 pretest or pilot questions. This may be taken in the same day or on a different day than the clinical sims. You have
3 hours in which to take this
Portion of the exam.

The clinical simulation portion of the RRT consists of 10 patient patient care management problems and one pilot problem. These consist of:

Two problems involving patients with COPD (pre op eval, critical care
Managment, mechanical ventilation, PFT evaluation, home care/rehab and infection control.

One to two problems involving adult trauma patients

One or two problems involving patients with neuro or neuromuscular disorders.

One pediatric patient problem
(epiglotitis, croup, bronchiolitis, asthma, CF and BPD, etc.)

One neonatal problem (delivery room
Management, resuscitation, infant apnea, , etc.

One adult patient problem involving other medical/ surgical conditions)

The cost of the RRT exam is $360 and one has up to 4 hours to complete this portion of the exam.

Unlike the NCLEX exam the CRT and RRT EXAM IS NOT adaptive testing. One must answer all 160 (CRT) or 115 written and 11 clinical simulation (RRT) questions for the test to be complete.

You do not apply for licensure until AFTER you sit for either examination.

To the best of my knowledge you ate required to sit for the RRT exam within three years of graduation otherwise you become in eligible to take it.

If you were credentialed after July 1, 2002 the credential is good for 5 years. (this does not apply to be since I got my CRT in 2000 and my RRT in early 2002.) At the end of this time, you
Must either:

Provide proof of a minimum 30 CEU credits DIRECTLY related to respiratory care OR

Retake and pass the exam for the highest credential held. OR

Take and pass the exam for a
Credential not previously held.

This makes me wonder about other professions credentialling processes.