New Applicants

All applicants must provide a completed application along with the appropriate fee. All applicants are subject to a background check, and are required to provide an official transcript and driver history. See below for additional requirements for credentialed applicants, foreign graduates or those possessing a RCP license from another state.

OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT

All applicants, including those who have attended a foreign institution, MUST have their official transcript sent from the institution directly to the RCB. Official transcripts must be received from each education institution leading to the award of a degree and must include the courses completed. If, for any reason, discrepancies exist between the transcript and the institution's course description, you will be notified. If necessary, it is the applicant's responsibility to contact the institution(s) and request corrected official transcripts to be mailed directly to the RCB.

CRIMINAL RECORD CHECK

The RCB requires each candidate for licensure to submit his or her fingerprints for state and federal processing. Applicants are urged to use LiveScan, an electronic imaging process that doesn't require fingerprint cards, in order to expedite the criminal record check. The LiveScan form may be downloaded and completed, if available. Otherwise, a LiveScan form may be requested by contacting the RCB.

Problematic fingerprints imaging may result in delayed processing by either the Department of Justice (DOJ) or the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI). You should be notified of this fact within two weeks of the imaging date. Please be aware no license will be issued until all information from the DOJ and the FBI has been received and reviewed by the RCB.

In the event LiveScan service is not available, i.e., out-of-state applicants, fingerprint cards may be requested by contacting the RCB.

Click here for additional fingerprint information.

DMV

All applicants are required to provide a driver history. Those applicants who possess a California driver's license may request a "H-6" Driving History by completing a DMV FORM INF 1125 and submit it to DMV for a driver history printout. This form may be obtained and completed at a local DMV office or the form may be downloaded, completed and taken to a local DMV office.

Click here for a "H-6" Driving History Form INF 1125.

Those applicants who have never been licensed to drive in the State of California, but are/were licensed to drive in another state, must provide an ENTIRE driving history from each state which issued a license. The driver history printouts must be included with the application package when submitted to the RCB.

SSN DISCLOSURE

Disclosure of your social security number (SSN) is mandatory. Section 30 of the Business and professions Code and Public Law 94_455 (42 U.S.C.A. 405(c)(2)(C)) authorizes collection of your SSN. The SSN will be used exclusively for tax enforcement purposes, for purposes of compliance with any judgement or order for family support in accordance with section 11350.6 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, or for verification of licensure or examination status by a licensing or examination entity which utilizes a national examination and where licensure is reciprocal with the requesting state. If the applicant fails to disclose their SSN, they will be reported to the Franchise Tax Board, which may assess a $100.00 penalty. Further, the Respiratory Care Board is prohibited from processing any application without a SSN. If an applicant fails to disclose their SSN, a license to practice respiratory care in the State of California will not be issued.

CREDENTIALED APPLICANTS

In addition to providing the information listed above, those individuals applying on the basis of a credential must contact the NBRC and request a verification to be sent directly to the RCB.

APPLICANTS WITH A LICENSE/CERTIFICATE ISSUED BY ANOTHER STATE

All applicants possessing a license or certificate from another state must request a verification be sent from the certifying board or agency directly to the RCB. Verification from all boards or agencies must be received prior to license issuance.

FOREIGN GRADUATES

An applicant whose application is based on a diploma issued by a foreign respiratory therapy school is required to enroll in an advanced standing and approved respiratory educational program for evaluation of his or her education and training. Based on the evaluation conducted and any additional education and/or training received by an approved school, applicants will then be required to provide documentation which verifies that he or she satisfies all of the following requirements:

• Holds an associate degree or higher level degree equivalent to that required for licensure;
• Has completed an approved respiratory therapy educational program equivalent to that required for licensure; and
• Possesses the knowledge and skills to competently and safely practice respiratory care in accordance with national standards.

An applicant whose application is based on education provided by a Canadian institution or university that does not meet the requirements for licensure will be required to provide documentation which verifies that he or she satisfies both of the following requirements:

• Holds a degree equivalent to that required for licensure; and
• Has completed a respiratory therapy educational program recognized by the Canadian Board of Respiratory Care.