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ApexRespiratory

Reference — RT Career & Professional Practice

RT Credentials Glossary

Every respiratory therapy credential in one place — the letters, what they stand for, which board grants them, and what each one certifies.

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

A quick reference to the credentials a respiratory therapist may hold. All are administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC), which acquired the asthma educator credential from the National Asthma Educator Certification Board (NAECB) in 2022.

Credentials at a Glance

Respiratory therapy credentials with full names, granting boards, and focus areas
CredentialFull NameGranting BoardFocus / Eligibility
CRTCertified Respiratory TherapistNBRCEntry-level credential (TMC low cut score)
RRTRegistered Respiratory TherapistNBRCAdvanced credential (TMC high cut score plus the CSE)
ACCSAdult Critical Care SpecialistNBRCAdult ICU; requires the RRT
NPSNeonatal/Pediatric SpecialistNBRCNeonatal and pediatric care; requires the RRT
SDSSleep Disorders SpecialistNBRCSleep diagnostics and therapy; CRT or RRT
CPFTCertified Pulmonary Function TechnologistNBRCPulmonary function (entry)
RPFTRegistered Pulmonary Function TechnologistNBRCPulmonary function (advanced)
AE-CCertified Asthma EducatorNBRC (acquired 2022)Asthma education; multiple health professions

Clinical Notes

  • RRT as the standard. The RRT is increasingly the employer and specialty-credential standard.
  • AE-C is multidisciplinary. The AE-C (administered by the NBRC since 2022, acquired from the NAECB) is open to several health professions, not only respiratory therapists.
  • Maintenance requirements. Specialty credentials carry their own continuing competency and maintenance requirements separate from the primary RT credentials.

Related Resources

Continuing Education & Credential MaintenanceRT Career & Professional Practice
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CRT vs RRTRT Career & Professional Practice
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Evidence-Based Practice in Respiratory CareRT Career & Professional Practice
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Levels of Evidence in Respiratory CareRT Career & Professional Practice
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Sources

  1. National Board for Respiratory Care. Credential and specialty credential information. NBRC.
  2. Kacmarek RM, Stoller JK, Heuer AJ. Egan's Fundamentals of Respiratory Care. 12th ed. Elsevier; 2021. The respiratory care profession.