Respiratory Care - FAQ

The approximate core class schedule for the first year is Tuesday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. The approximate core class schedule for the second year is Monday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. and the clinical schedule is any other day of the week, including weekends. Typical clinical shifts are 12 hours, day or night shifts.

Yes. However, if you're planning to transfer to a 4-year institution, you may need to retake a medical terminology course for four credits, as transfer institutions might require a higher credit level for the course. It's a good idea to check with your potential transfer institutions for their specific credit transfer policies.

The mandatory orientation is held for accepted students in late spring / early summer each year. If you have an extenuating circumstance that makes it so you are unable to attend, please reach out to the program faculty beforehand to see if an exception can be made. A “no show, no call” will forfeit your position in the program, and a waitlisted candidate will be given your assigned place in the program.

Graduates of the program are able to sit for the national credentialing examinations administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC). The graduates are eligible to take the Therapist Multiple Choice (TMC) certification examination for entry-level therapist / certified respiratory therapist (CRT), the Clinical Simulation Exam for Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT), and other specialty credential exams such as certification in pulmonary function technology (CPFT) and neonatal and pediatric specialist (NPS). Examination information can be found on the NBRC website or by contacting them at 913-599-4200. Almost all states require successful completion of the TMC examination as part of the state license requirement. Oregon and Washington require successful completion of the NBRC's RRT exam to satisfy the requirements for a regular license to practice.