| Respiratory Care: How to Get Licensed |
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| Scope of Practice |
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Respiratory therapists, or respiratory care practitioners, provide treatment to patients with abnormalities associated with the cardiopulmonary system—or breathing disorders—under the direction of a licensed physician and as part of a health care team.
Respiratory therapists administer therapeutic or diagnostic drugs to patients as part of a physician-prescribed treatment plan, implement a physician's orders for respiratory treatments, observe and monitor patient symptoms, and assist with administering medical gases (including hyperbaric or standard oxygen, vapor therapies and ventilation support). Administration of anesthesia falls outside the scope of practice of a respiratory therapist.
Respiratory therapists work at hospitals, clinics, nursing care facilities, in private care facilities and commercial businesses that specialize in the treatment, management, diagnostic testing, control and care of patients with breathing disorders that range from chronic lung conditions such as asthma, bronchitis and emphysema to heart attack and accident victims, premature infants, and people with cystic fibrosis, lung cancer, or AIDS.
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| Examination |
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Applicants must pass the Certified Respiratory Therapy Technician (CRTT) or Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) examination administered by the NBRC.
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| Reciprocity |
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Applicants currently licensed to practice respiratory care in another state, territory or country may become licensed in Oregon if their qualifications are considered to be equivalent to Oregon’s minimum standards. Documentation in the form of an affidavit of licensure must be submitted.
Click here to go to the Forms page for more information.
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| Temporary License |
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Non-renewable and issued for six months, a temporary license authorizes an applicant for licensure who has obtained the required training to practice respiratory therapy under supervision pending passage of the qualifying examination.
See the Fees page for fee information.
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| License Renewal |
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Application for license renewal should be made in advance of the license expiration date, which is the last day of the month two years from the date of issuance.
Renewal applications are mailed to licensees approximately six weeks prior to license expiration courtesy of the OHLA/Respiratory Therapist Licensing Board under OAR 331-715-0010.
Click here to renew online.
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