Professional License
It is anticipated that graduates of the Respiratory Therapy Program at Grossmont College
will seek the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential and the Respiratory
Care Practitioner (RCP) license after graduation. Anyone practicing respiratory Therapy
in the state of California must possess both the RRT credential and the RCP license.
The required classes and activities of the academic program will qualify the graduate
of this program to take the exams required for the RRT credential and licensure in
the state of California. For required disclosures on whether this program satisfies
the license requirements of all states and territories for Respiratory Therapist/Respiratory
Care Practitioner license or certificate, please visit the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) website and the state medical licensure boards for specific information for
individual states.
The RRT credentialing process is a two-part, nationally administered examination. Part
one is a written comprehensive exam taken after graduating with a minimum of an AS
degree in Respiratory Therapy from a CoARC accredited program. Graduates wishing
to obtain a license to practice Respiratory Therapy in California must pass this exam
at or above the high-cut score. Upon passing the written exam at the high-cut score
the graduate is eligible to take the Clinical Simulation Exam (CSE). Candidates who
pass this exam earn the advanced practitioner RRT credential and are eligible for
the RCP license in California.
*Note – all states have specific requirements for licensure. Please visit the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) website and the state medical licensure boards for specific information for individual states.