NorthWest Arkansas Community College

Credentials & Licensure

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The National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) is the credentialing board for all respiratory therapists in the USA. Credentials held from the NBRC are valid across the United States. Respiratory therapists must maintain active credentials with the NBRC. 

NWACC graduates holding the AAS in Respiratory Therapy are eligible for credentialing by NBRC. Obtaining the registered respiratory therapist (RRT) credential is a two-step process with the NBRC.

• Step one: Successfully pass the therapist multiple choice (TMC) exam at the high-cut score. 
• Step two: Successfully complete the clinical simulation exam (CSE).

Passing the TMC at the low-cut score will result in the certified respiratory therapist (CRT) credential only. A candidate must pass at the high-cut score to take the CSE and complete the RRT credential. The RT program at NWACC prepares graduates to earn the RRT credential. 

Licensure 

Respiratory therapists must be credentialed by the National Board for Respiratory Care and licensed by individual state regulatory agencies governing medical professionals to practice respiratory therapy. 

• In Arkansas, the regulatory agency for respiratory therapists licensure is the Arkansas State Medical Board.
• In Missouri, the regulatory agency for respiratory therapists licensure is the Missouri Division of Professional Registration.
• In Oklahoma, the regulatory agency for respiratory therapist licensure is the Oklahoma Medical Board.