Pennsylvania Respiratory Therapist License
Pennsylvania Board of Medicine — RT
Total Fee
$122
Processing Time
4 to 6 Weeks
Fingerprints
Required
IdentoGO / PA State Police
Temp License
Not available
See board
What You'll Need
- Official Transcripts — Must be sent directly from the educational institution to the Board showing degree conferral.
- NBRC Credential Verification — Official verification of CRT or RRT status sent directly from the NBRC. NBRC Verification
- NPDB Self-Query Report — A report from the National Practitioner Data Bank regarding any disciplinary history. NPDB Portal
- Child Abuse CE Certificate — Verification of the 3-hour mandatory training, usually reported electronically by the provider. Pitt Training Portal
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) — A detailed CV listing all periods of employment and unemployment since graduation.
How to Apply
-
Complete Education ▾Graduate from a respiratory care program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).
Find Accredited Programs -
Pass NBRC Examination ▾Successfully pass the Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) Examination at the CRT or RRT level administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).
Register for Exam -
Complete Child Abuse Training ▾Complete 3 hours of Board-approved continuing education in child abuse recognition and reporting.
Take Free Training -
Submit PALS Application ▾Create an account on the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS) and submit the initial application for Respiratory Therapist licensure.
Start Application -
Request Background Checks ▾Register with IdentoGO for an FBI fingerprint-based background check using the service code provided in your PALS application dashboard.
Schedule Fingerprinting -
Submit NPDB Self-Query ▾Request a Self-Query report from the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) and have it sent to the Board.
Request Self-Query -
Verify Credentials ▾Request that the NBRC send your official examination scores and credential verification directly to the Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine.
Request Score Transfer
Total Fee
$122
Processing Time
4 to 6 Weeks
Fingerprints
Required
Temp License
Not available
Transfer License
Requirements ▾
Respiratory Therapists licensed in another state can often apply via endorsement by providing license verification and current certification.
Steps
-
Verify Out-of-State License ▾Request verification of your current, active license from every state where you hold or have held a license.
-
Apply via Act 41 ▾Submit an application for licensure by endorsement through PALS under the Act 41 provisions.
PALS Portal -
Submit NBRC Credentials ▾Ensure NBRC sends verification of your CRT or RRT credential directly to the Board.
NBRC Verification -
Complete Mandatory PA Training ▾Complete the 3-hour PA-approved Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting course.
Child Abuse Training
Total Fee
$50
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Compact
No
Board
Pennsylvania Board of Medicine — RT
Keeping Your License Active
Pennsylvania Respiratory Therapist licenses renew Every 2 years. Contact the Pennsylvania Board of Medicine — RT for continuing education requirements and renewal deadlines.
Renew on the board siteFees
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application | $100 |
| Endorsement application | $100 |
| Fingerprint check | $22.60 |
| Temporary permit | See board |
| Renewal | 50.0 |
Slow Downs
Non-Approved Child Abuse Training
▾
Applicants often take child abuse courses not approved by the PA Department of Human Services. Ensure the provider is specifically approved for PA Act 31.
Scores Not Sent Directly
▾
The Board will not accept score reports or certificates provided by the applicant; they must come directly from the NBRC.
Employment Gaps in CV
▾
Failure to account for all time periods (including unemployment or leave) on the CV will result in the application being returned for clarification.
Background Check Service Code Errors
▾
Using the wrong service code for IdentoGO can lead to results being sent to the wrong agency. Always use the code provided in the PALS portal.
Questions
How many continuing education hours are required for renewal?
▾
30 hours of approved CE are required every biennial period, including 1 hour in medical ethics, 1 hour in patient safety, and 2 hours in child abuse recognition.
When do Pennsylvania respiratory therapist licenses expire?
▾
Licenses expire on December 31st of every even-numbered year.
Is the RRT credential required for licensure in Pennsylvania?
▾
No, the minimum requirement for licensure is the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credential from the NBRC.
Can I practice while my application is pending?
▾
You may apply for a Temporary Permit if you have graduated but not yet passed the exam; otherwise, you cannot practice until the full license is issued.
Board Info
Pennsylvania Board of Medicine — RT
Phone(717) 787-1400