Frequently Asked Questions

When does my license actually expire?

If you fail to renew your license on or before your expiration date, your license will expire at midnight on the date of expiration.
How soon can I renew my license?

Approximately 75 days before your license expiration date, a renewal notice with detailed instructions will be mailed to your address of record, and your license will eligible for renewal online through your BreEZe account.
How do I renew my license?

You are encouraged to renew online through your BreEZe account. Upon completion of the transaction, you can print a receipt that will serve as confirmation of your license renewal, and your license record will be immediately updated with your new expiration date, provided there are no renewal deficiencies. Licensees who renew online generally receive their renewed pocket license within a week of their online payment.

If you choose to renew via mail instead of using the online BreEZe system, you are encouraged to submit your completed renewal application at least 30 days prior to your license expiration date to ensure the timely receipt of your renewed license.
The renewal asks whether I have been convicted or pled guilty or nolo contendere to any crime, do I need to report a speeding ticket(s)?

No, you are not required to report minor traffic infractions such as speeding or stop sign violations. However, you are required to divulge traffic infractions that involved the use of drugs or alcohol.
How long will it take to process my renewal?

If you renew your license online through your BreEZe account, your license will be updated immediately and you will generally receive your renewed pocket card within a week.

If you opt to renew by mail, please be advised that the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) estimated time for posting the receipt of renewal payments is 15 working days. As DCA processes thousands of renewal applications for all boards/bureaus, it is nearly impossible to confirm if a renewal application has been received until the payment is posted (approximately 3 weeks). When renewing by mail, licensees should anticipate at least 30 days before the renewed license will be mailed. As such, licensees are encouraged to renew online to avoid delays.
What if I renew after my expiration date?

Licensees submitting a late license renewal application will be assessed a delinquent fee and may be subject to the issuance of a citation and fine if unlicensed practice occurred during the period the license lapsed.
When will I receive my renewed pocket card?

Once you have met all renewal requirements, your renewed pocket license will be mailed to your address of record. Licenses renewed online are generally mailed within a week, while licenses renewed via mail are generally mailed within 30 days.
Can I continue to practice even though I have not received my renewed pocket license?

Once your license has expired, you do not have the authority to practice respiratory care until the RCB receives and processes your renewal application (i.e. completed renewal form, required CEUs, and all applicable fees) and your license is renewed.

Pursuant to Business and Professions Code section 121, if you mail your completed renewal form on or before your license expiration date, you may continue to practice even though you have not received your renewed pocket license. However, this is at the discretion of your employer.

Employers are encouraged to verify the status of all Respiratory Care Practitioner licenses. Licenses can be verified 24 hours a day, 7 days a week online through the License Search. Licensing records are updated throughout the day for those licenses renewed online.
What is the most common cause for delay when renewing a license?

The most common cause for delay when renewing a license is the omission of information (this is more common with renewals that are mailed as the online system helps to ensure all required information is captured). To avoid a delay when renewing via mail, make sure your renewal application is complete. Carefully read the instructions and provide all required information, and submit it along with your fee.

Failure to complete your license renewal completely will result in a hold being placed on your license renewal. In order to continue with processing your renewal, you must complete all highlighted sections on the Notice of Renewal Deficiency form and return it to the RCB in one of the following ways:

Once the completed form is received and you have satisfied all renewal requirements, your license will be renewed and your updated pocket card will be mailed to you within 2-3 business days.
What is the difference between renewing active vs. inactive?

The only difference between active and inactive status is the continuing education requirement. If you wish to renew inactive, you are not required to complete the CEUs, however the renewal fee is still the same. If your license is inactive, you are not authorized to practice respiratory care in the State of California.
Do I still have to pay the renewal fee if I chose to renew inactive?

Yes, pursuant to Business and Professions Code section 3775.5, the fee for an inactive license is the same as the renewal fee for an active license. If your license is inactive, you are not authorized to practice respiratory care in the State of California.
My license is inactive, how do I update it to active?

If your license is currently inactive and you would like to update it to active status, you must submit the Request for Active Status form and documentation showing completion of the required CE units. You may submit the required form and CE certificates to the RCB by:
What is the Law & Professional Ethics course, and how will I know if the Law & Professional Ethics course is due for my current renewal period?

The Law and Professional Ethics Course is a course designed to inform licensed RCPs of the expectations put upon them as professional practitioners in the State of California, and is required to be taken by all RCPs during every other renewal cycle. The Law and Professional Ethics Course covers obligations of licensed respiratory care practitioners to patients under their care; responsibilities of respiratory care practitioners to report illegal activities occurring in the work place; and acts that jeopardize licensure and licensure status.

The course must be taken through the California Society for Respiratory Care (CSRC) or the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC). Before deciding which course to take, licensees are encouraged to visit each provider’s web site to review additional information pertaining to the administration of each course. Each applicant can then select the course provider that best meets his/her individual needs. You can access the CSRC’s course at www.csrc.org or the AARC’s course at www.aarc.org. If you are required to take the course as part of your renewal, there will be a section on your renewal notice requesting you to provide information regarding which course you successfully completed, as well as the date of completion. You can confirm whether or not the course will be required as part of your next renewal by checking your license status online through the License Search.

Please note, the Law and Professional Ethics Course is worth 3 non-clinical CEUs.
This is my first time renewing, do I need to complete any continuing education units (CEUs)?

Yes, all licensees are required to complete CEUs as part of license renewal. If this is your first time renewing, you are currently required to complete a minimum of 15 CEUs. For each subsequent renewal, you will be required to complete a minimum of 30 CEUs.
How do I report a change of name and/or address?

You are required to give the RCB written notice of an address change within 14 days of the change. You can update your address of record with the RCB online through your BreEZe account. For help, you may utilize the Step-by-Step User Guide for updating your address.

You may submit name changes to the RCB online through your BreEZe account. To process a name change, you are required to submit photocopies of:

  • Current California's Driver's License or U.S. Issued Passport, showing the current name change

    • AND one of the following documents:

  • Marriage Certificate
  • Dissolution of Marriage
  • Certified Court Order

A courtesy replacement pocket card will be mailed to your address of record.
I was arrested and/or convicted for a crime, how do I report this to the RCB? What will happen to my license?

To report an arrest or conviction, you must File a Complaint against yourself.

Once a report is filed, the RCB will open an investigation and you will be notified of the outcome once the investigation is complete. For more information regarding penalty determination guidelines, please review the RCB's Complaint Review Process.

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. The RCB’s mission is to protect and serve consumers by licensing qualified respiratory care practitioners, enforcing the provisions of the Respiratory Care Practice Act, expanding the availability of respiratory care services, increasing public awareness of the profession, and supporting the development and education of respiratory care practitioners. To work as an RCP in the State of California, you must be licensed by the RCB.

The National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) is the only organization in the United States which develops certification examinations for Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRTs) and Certified Respiratory Therapists (CRTs). The NBRC also offers additional specialization credentialing for respiratory practitioners that hold its certifications. Credentials issued by the NBRC do not constitute licensure. CRTs and RRTs are required to obtain licensure in the respective states they would like to practice in.