Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

• Do I need a California license to practice respiratory care in California?

  Yes. To practice respiratory care in California, you must hold either a valid Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) license or a valid RCP Applicant Work Permit issued by the Respiratory Care Board of California.

• What is the difference between the RCB and the NBRC?

  The Respiratory Care Board of California (RCB) is a state licensing agency with regulatory jurisdiction over respiratory care practitioners in California. To work as a respiratory care practitioner in California, you must be licensed by the RCB or hold a valid work permit issued by the RCB.

  The National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) develops credentialing examinations, including the CRT and RRT credentials. Credentials issued by the NBRC do not constitute California licensure.

• Can I practice respiratory care in California with only an NBRC credential?

  No. An NBRC credential alone does not authorize you to practice respiratory care in California.

  To legally practice respiratory care in California, you must hold either a RCP license or a valid RCP Applicant Work Permit issued by the RCB.

Applying for Licensure

• How do I apply for initial licensure as a respiratory care practitioner (RCP)?

  Applicants may submit their application for licensure up to 90 days before meeting the education requirements, or once the education requirements have been met. New graduates are encouraged to submit their application as early as possible within that 90-day window to allow time for processing.

  Applicants must apply online. To apply, visit Apply for Licensure.

  For assistance applying online, you may also use the Online Initial Application for Licensure Step-by-Step Instructions.

• How do I apply online if my school is paying my application fee?

  If a third party, such as your respiratory care program, will pay your application fee, you may add an Authorized Representative to your BreEZe account. An Authorized Representative may make payments and assist with account-related activities.

  You may use the Creating an Account as an Authorized Representative Step-by-Step Instructions for assistance.

  If you add an Authorized Representative only to pay your initial application fee, it is recommended that you remove that access once your license is issued.

• How long will it take to be licensed?

  Application approval generally takes between two and six weeks. Processing time depends on how quickly the RCB receives all required documentation, such as fingerprint results, examination results, official transcripts, and any required license or credential verifications.

  To help avoid delays, applicants are encouraged to request and follow up on all documentation that must be sent to the RCB.

  You can check the progress of your application through your BreEZe account.

• How long do I have to complete the application process?

  Pursuant to California Code of Regulations section 1399.321, each applicant has one year from the date the initial application is received by the RCB to complete the application and meet all licensure requirements.

  If the process is not completed within one year, the application is deemed abandoned.

Examinations

• What examination(s) do I need to take to get licensed?

  To qualify for California licensure, applicants must obtain the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential issued by the NBRC, unless they earned a CRT credential prior to January 1, 2015.

  Through December 31, 2026, applicants generally earn the RRT credential by passing the Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) Examination at the cut score required to qualify for the Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE), and then passing the CSE.

  Beginning January 1, 2027, the NBRC will transition to the Respiratory Therapy (RT) Examination. Although the examination format is changing, the California licensure requirement is not changing. Applicants must still obtain the RRT credential, unless they qualify under the pre-2015 CRT exception.

  For current examination information, please visit the NBRC website.

• Do I need to pass the NBRC examinations before applying for licensure?

  No. Applicants may submit an application for licensure before completing the NBRC examination requirements. However, the RCB cannot issue a license until the required NBRC credential has been verified.

• What if I only receive the CRT credential?

  In most cases, a CRT credential alone does not meet California’s examination requirement for licensure.

  Applicants must obtain the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential unless they earned a CRT credential prior to January 1, 2015.

• If I have an NBRC credential, can I work in California?

  No. An NBRC credential alone does not authorize you to practice respiratory care in California. To legally practice respiratory care in California, you must first obtain either a Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) license or a valid RCP Applicant Work Permit issued by the Respiratory Care Board of California.

Work Permits

• What is a Respiratory Care Practitioner Applicant Work Permit?

  A Respiratory Care Practitioner Applicant Work Permit allows qualified applicants who have applied for licensure to work temporarily while completing the remaining examination requirement for licensure.

  A work permit is not a license and is valid only for the dates listed on the permit.

• When can I apply for a work permit?

  Applicants may request a Respiratory Care Practitioner Applicant Work Permit after submitting a complete application for licensure to the RCB.

  To be eligible, the applicant must generally:

  • Submit a complete application for licensure to the RCB;
  • Obtain the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credential issued by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC); and
  • Have secured employment or a job offer with a healthcare facility in California.

  Applicants must also submit a completed work permit request form identifying the employer where the applicant will be working.

  For detailed eligibility requirements and instructions on requesting a work permit, please visit the Work Permit page.

• How long is a work permit valid?

  Work permits are typically issued for up to 180 days. Once the permit expires, the applicant must stop practicing unless the RCB has issued an RCP license.

• Can I start working before my work permit is issued?

  No. Applicants must receive an approved work permit from the RCB before they may begin practicing respiratory care in California.

  Working without a valid license or work permit is considered unlicensed practice and may be punishable by law.

• Can I work for more than one employer with a work permit?

  No. Work permits are issued for a specific employer and are valid only for the employer listed on the permit.

  If you change employers or obtain additional employment, you must request and receive a new work permit from the RCB before beginning work for another employer.

• Do I need supervision while working under a work permit?

  Yes. Applicants working under a work permit must practice under the direct supervision of a California-licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner.

  Direct supervision means the applicant is assigned to a respiratory care practitioner who is on duty and immediately available in the assigned patient care area.

Law and Professional Ethics Course

• What is the Law and Professional Ethics course, and do I need to complete it as part of my application?

  All applicants must complete an RCB-approved Law and Professional Ethics course prior to licensure.

  The course covers obligations of licensed respiratory care practitioners to patients, responsibilities to report illegal activities in the workplace, and acts that may jeopardize licensure.

  Applicants may complete the course through either the California Society for Respiratory Care (CSRC) or the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC).

  Visit www.csrc.org or www.aarc.org for course information.

Out-of-State Applicants

• I am currently licensed in another state. How do I apply for a license in California?

  California does not have reciprocity with other states. If you want to practice in California, you must apply for an RCP license issued by the RCB.

  If you already hold the RRT credential, you will not need to retake the initial licensing examinations. If you earned a CRT credential prior to January 1, 2015, that may also satisfy the examination requirement.

  You will also need to provide proof of your credential, out-of-state license(s), and education requirements. The RCB strongly encourages applicants to apply online for the fastest processing times.

  To apply, see Apply for Licensure. For assistance applying online, you may also use the Online Initial Application for Licensure Step-by-Step Instructions.

  To apply by mail, please contact the RCB to obtain the Application for Licensure packet.

• If I am applying from out of state, can I submit Live Scan fingerprints completed outside California?

  No. Live Scan fingerprinting does not transfer from state to state. If you are applying from outside California, you must submit two sets of fingerprints rolled in ink on designated fingerprint cards.

  Fingerprint cards may be available from a local fingerprinting service facility. If needed, you may contact the RCB to request that fingerprint cards be sent to you.

  There is an additional fee to cover the state and federal background checks. After completing your online application, you must mail the fingerprint cards to the RCB.

Other Common Questions

• Do I need to submit verification of other health-related licenses to the RCB?

  Yes. License verifications from any agency where you have held a health-related license, whether in California or another state, must be sent directly to the RCB.

• If I have a prior criminal history, what can I expect during the application process?

  Having a prior criminal history does not automatically prevent you from obtaining a license. All applicants must complete a criminal history background check through fingerprint submission.

  If criminal history information is reported, the application may be referred for additional review. For more detailed information, including what the RCB can consider and what records may be requested, please visit Applicants With Prior Criminal History.

• I received a deficiency notice. How do I correct it?

  Read the notice carefully to identify what is missing or deficient and what documentation is needed to correct the issue.

  Required documents should be submitted electronically through your BreEZe account or as otherwise directed by the RCB.

  For help submitting attachments electronically, you may use the Online Attachments Step-by-Step Instructions.

• How do I report a change of name and/or address?

  Pursuant to California Code of Regulations section 1399.304, a licensee must notify the RCB of an address change within 14 days.

  Address changes may be made through your BreEZe account.

  Name changes may also be submitted through your BreEZe account. To process a name change, you must submit a photocopy of your current California driver’s license or U.S. passport showing the new name, along with one of the following:

  • Marriage certificate
  • Dissolution of marriage document
  • Certified court order

Questions About the Application Process

Many common questions are answered on this page and throughout the Applicants section of the website.

If you have additional questions about the application process, licensure requirements, work permits, or required documentation, you may contact the Respiratory Care Board using the form below.