Information for CE Providers
The Respiratory Care Board of California (RCB) does not individually approve or pre-approve continuing education (CE) courses. Instead, CE acceptance is based on whether a course is provided or approved by an entity recognized in regulation.
Licensees are responsible for ensuring that courses they complete meet CE requirements. Providers play an important role by offering qualifying courses and issuing complete and accurate CE certificates.
Approved Providers (All Course Formats)
Courses provided by or approved by the following entities are accepted for CE credit, regardless of delivery format (live or non-live), as long as the course content meets CE requirements:
- Post-secondary institutions accredited by a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
- Health care facilities licensed by the California Department of Public Health
- American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC)
- California Society for Respiratory Care (CSRC) and AARC-affiliated state societies
- American Medical Association
- California Medical Association
- California Thoracic Society
- American College of Surgeons
- American College of Chest Physicians
- American Heart Association
- American Lung Association
- Allergy and Asthma Network
- Society for Critical Care Medicine
- National Asthma Education Certification Board
Additional Approved Providers for Live, Real-Time Courses
Live, real-time CE courses (those that include direct interaction between the instructor and participants during the instructional period) may also be provided or approved by the following entities:
- Any entity listed above under Approved Providers (All Course Formats)
- California Board of Registered Nursing
- Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME)
CE Certificate Requirements
To assist licensees in documenting CE compliance, providers should ensure that CE certificates include the following information:
- Licensee’s name
- Course title
- Date(s) of completion
- Number of CE hours awarded
- Provider name
- Whether the course was live or non-live
Including the CE category (Clinical Practice, RCP Leadership, or Indirectly Related) is helpful but not required. If a course is live, that status should be clearly identified on the certificate.
Important Reminders for Providers
- Providers may not assign CE hours beyond the limits set by regulation.
- Basic Life Support (BLS) does not qualify for CE credit.
- Only credentialing and certification examinations specifically identified in regulation qualify for CE credit.
- Labeling a course as CE does not guarantee acceptance if it does not meet regulatory requirements.
For additional information on CE requirements from a licensee perspective, see What Qualifies for Continuing Education or CE FAQs.
If you still have questions after reviewing this information, you may contact the RCB using the form below.
