State Respiratory Care Boards

State Respiratory Care Boards, sometimes operating under a broader medical or health professional licensing board, have the primary purpose of protecting the public by regulating the practice of respiratory care. Their crucial function is the licensing of Respiratory Therapists (RTs), who are essential for diagnosing, treating, and managing patients with cardiopulmonary problems. The boards ensure professional competence by mandating that candidates graduate from an accredited program, pass national examinations administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC), and meet state-specific requirements. Furthermore, they establish the legal scope of practice - covering critical procedures like mechanical ventilation management, life support, and aerosol medication deliver - and enforce continuing education to maintain high clinical standards.

The importance of this strict regulatory control is enormous given the life-critical nature of respiratory therapy and the risks associated with unlicensed practitioners. Unlicensed individuals lack the verified, specialized training required for safely managing the complex equipment and patient conditions in respiratory care. Seeking assistance from unqualified personnel can lead to mismanagement of ventilators, improper administration of oxygen or medications, failure to recognize and respond to acute respiratory distress, or severe complications from poor airway management. Errors in this field can result in immediate, life-threatening outcomes, including brain damage or death due to hypoxia. By limiting practice to licensed and verified RTs, State Respiratory Care Boards are indispensable in ensuring that patients receive accurate, life-saving, and highly technical cardiopulmonary care.

Use the resources below to learn more about your State Respiratory Care Board.