Guide — RT Career & Professional Practice
Respiratory Therapy Specialty Credentials
Beyond the CRT and RRT, respiratory therapists can earn specialty credentials that certify advanced expertise in critical care, neonatal and pediatric care, sleep, pulmonary function, and asthma education. This guide explains what each covers and how to qualify.
8 min read · RT Career & Professional Practice
Written by Apex Respiratory Editorial Team
Educational use only. This material supports respiratory therapy education and exam review. It is not medical advice and is not a substitute for clinical judgment, institutional protocols, or physician orders. Always follow facility policies and current provider orders, and verify calculations independently before clinical use.
Overview
The CRT and RRT establish baseline and advanced competency as a respiratory therapist. Specialty credentials go a step further by certifying focused expertise in a defined practice area. All of these specialty credentials are administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC), which acquired the asthma educator credential from a separate board in 2022.
Earning a specialty credential signals to employers, patients, and colleagues that a clinician has demonstrated validated knowledge beyond general respiratory practice. Each credential carries its own eligibility requirements, examination, and maintenance cycle.
Key Concepts
The table below summarizes the six primary specialty credentials respiratory therapists pursue, their clinical focus, eligibility prerequisites, and the granting board.
| Credential | Full Name | Clinical Focus | Eligibility | Board |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACCS | Adult Critical Care Specialist | Adult ICU — advanced ventilator management, hemodynamic monitoring, and critical care protocols | RRT required | NBRC |
| NPS | Neonatal/Pediatric Specialist | Neonatal and pediatric respiratory care across the age spectrum | RRT required | NBRC |
| SDS | Sleep Disorders Specialist | Sleep diagnostics, polysomnography, and therapy (PAP, oxygen, behavioral) | CRT or RRT | NBRC |
| CPFT | Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist | Entry-level pulmonary function testing — spirometry, lung volumes, diffusion | See NBRC requirements | NBRC |
| RPFT | Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist | Advanced pulmonary function testing and interpretation | See NBRC requirements | NBRC |
| AE-C | Certified Asthma Educator | Asthma education, self-management coaching, and care coordination | Licensed health professional (RTs, RNs, PharmDs, and others) | NBRC (acquired 2022) |
Always verify current eligibility requirements directly with the NBRC, as criteria and examination content outlines are subject to periodic revision.
The Asthma Educator Credential
The Certified Asthma Educator (AE-C) stands apart from the other RT specialty credentials in an important way: it is multidisciplinary. Respiratory therapists are among the eligible applicants, but so are registered nurses, pharmacists, physician assistants, and other licensed health professionals who meet the eligibility requirements. The NBRC acquired the AE-C examination in 2022 from the National Asthma Educator Certification Board (NAECB) and now administers it alongside the respiratory care credentials.
The AE-C credential focuses on asthma education competencies — teaching patients self-management skills, identifying triggers, coaching inhaler technique, and supporting care coordination — rather than on acute clinical procedures. For respiratory therapists who work in outpatient, community, or school-based asthma programs, the AE-C documents a meaningful scope of practice.
Key distinction. The AE-C is open to many health professions, not only respiratory therapists, and it carries its own application, eligibility verification, and maintenance cycle separate from the CRT or RRT a clinician already holds.
Why Specialize
Specialty credentials offer several practical advantages for respiratory therapists at various stages of their careers:
- Career advancement. Specialty credentials open pathways to higher-acuity clinical roles, supervisory positions, and specialized units such as the adult ICU, neonatal ICU, or sleep lab.
- Compensation differentials. Many institutions offer pay differentials or hiring preference for credentialed specialists in high-demand areas such as critical care and neonatal/pediatric care.
- Documented competency. A specialty credential provides a standardized, board-verified demonstration of knowledge in a defined area — useful for credentialing committees, privileging processes, and professional portfolios.
- Professional identity. Pursuing a specialty credential signals ongoing commitment to the profession and to evidence-based practice within a focused area of respiratory care.
Common Pitfalls
- Getting the RRT prerequisites wrong. The ACCS and NPS both require the RRT. The SDS is open to candidates holding either the CRT or the RRT, and the pulmonary function credentials have their own pathways. Verify specific eligibility requirements on the NBRC website before preparing an application.
- Assuming the AE-C is respiratory-therapist-only. The AE-C (administered by the NBRC since 2022) is open to many health professions, and it carries its own application, fees, and maintenance cycle separate from your CRT or RRT.
- Allowing a specialty credential to lapse. Each specialty credential carries a maintenance of certification (MOC) cycle with continuing competency requirements. Missing a renewal deadline can result in loss of the credential, which may require repeating the examination to reinstate.
- Confusing CPFT and RPFT. The CPFT is the entry-level pulmonary function credential; the RPFT is the advanced credential. They are distinct examinations with different experience and eligibility thresholds — earning the CPFT does not automatically qualify a candidate for the RPFT.
Key Takeaways
- The ACCS (Adult Critical Care Specialist) and NPS (Neonatal/Pediatric Specialist) both require the RRT.
- The SDS (Sleep Disorders Specialist) is open to candidates holding either the CRT or the RRT.
- The CPFT is the entry-level and the RPFT is the advanced pulmonary function credential — both granted by the NBRC.
- The AE-C (Certified Asthma Educator) is administered by the NBRC (acquired in 2022) and is open to a range of licensed health professionals beyond respiratory therapists.
- Each credential carries its own maintenance cycle — track renewal deadlines to avoid lapse.
FAQ
Which specialty credentials require the RRT?
The Adult Critical Care Specialist (ACCS) and the Neonatal/Pediatric Specialist (NPS) both require the RRT. The Sleep Disorders Specialist (SDS) is open to candidates holding either the CRT or the RRT, and the pulmonary function credentials (CPFT, RPFT) have their own eligibility pathways.
Who can earn the AE-C, and which board grants it?
As of September 2022 the Certified Asthma Educator (AE-C) is administered by the NBRC, which acquired the examination from the National Asthma Educator Certification Board (NAECB). Unlike the other RT specialty credentials, it is open to a range of licensed health professionals — nurses, pharmacists, and others — not only respiratory therapists.
What is the difference between the CPFT and the RPFT?
Both are NBRC pulmonary function credentials. The Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT) is the entry-level credential, while the Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist (RPFT) is the advanced credential requiring additional experience and a more rigorous examination.
Can a CRT earn a specialty credential?
Yes. The SDS (Sleep Disorders Specialist) is open to candidates holding either the CRT or the RRT, and the CPFT and RPFT pulmonary function credentials have their own eligibility pathways. The ACCS and NPS, however, require the RRT.
Go deeper
Every RT credential — abbreviation, full name, and granting board — in one quick glossary.
See the credentials glossary →Related Resources
Sources
- National Board for Respiratory Care. Specialty credential information (ACCS, NPS, SDS, CPFT, RPFT). NBRC.
- Kacmarek RM, Stoller JK, Heuer AJ. Egan's Fundamentals of Respiratory Care. 12th ed. Elsevier; 2021. The respiratory care profession.