Respiratory Therapist

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Respiratory Therapist

Apply for a License (CRT or RRT)

New Graduates: Important Information to Expedite Licensure
If you expect to soon earn your RRT credentials, it is recommended you only submit your application for RRT. Submitting a CRT application first, then requesting a RRT license results in additional processing that can delay the issuance of your license.

Click on the appropriate tab below to see the Initial Licensing Requirements, Process, Fees, Statutes and Administrative Rules for a Registered Respiratory Therapist.

Requirements
General Requirements

Endorsement Licensure Requirements:

Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) or Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT)

  • The applicant holds the “Certified Respiratory Therapist” or the “Registered Respiratory Therapist” credential issued by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC), or an equivalent credential acceptable to the Board; or
  • The applicant holds certification, or the equivalent, to deliver respiratory care in another state and such certification was granted pursuant to requirements determined to be equivalent to, or more stringent than, the requirements in Florida.
  • The applicant is not otherwise disqualified by reason of a violation of Chapter 456, or Chapter 468, Part V, Florida Statutes, or the rules promulgated thereunder.

All Applicants Must Submit the Following:

Application: 

  • All questions on the application must be answered and any “yes” answers on the “Personal” “Criminal” or “Medical” History sections must be accompanied by a written statement.

Verifications:

  • Proof of having passed the NBRC exam: A certified respiratory therapist (CRT) or a registered respiratory therapist (RRT) who has passed the NBRC exam must contact the NBRC and have an official letter of verification forwarded to our office. Neither a copy of the NBRC passing scores, a copy of the credential nor a wallet card will be accepted, only the official letter of verification from the NBRC. Their website is www.NBRC.org or you may call them at (913) 895-4900 or Toll free (888) 341-4811.
  • Other state licenses you currently hold or have held, regardless of status must be verified. You must notify the licensing state and pay any fees required by that state for this service.
  • Please Note: As of July 1, 2016, the 2-hour Prevention of Medical Error course is no longer required as part of the initial application for licensure process. (Chapter 456.013(7), Florida Statutes).

Additional Education Requirements:

  • An applicant who has not practiced respiratory care for 2 years or more must complete a Board-approved comprehensive review course within two (2) years immediately prior to the filing of the licensure application or be recredentialed in the level in which he or she is applying to practice in order to ensure that he or she has the sufficient skills to re-enter the profession. Board-approved comprehensive course means any course or courses which includes, at a minimum, fourteen (14) hours in the topics and numbers of hours as follows:
    • Patient assessment 3 hours
    • Hemodynamics 2 hours
    • Pulmonary Function 1 hour
    • Arterial blood gases 1 hour
    • Respiratory equipment 2 hours
    • Airway Care 1 hour
    • Mechanical ventilation 2 hours
    • Emergency care/special procedures 1 hour
    • General respiratory care (including medication) 1 hour
Applicants with Health History

If a “Yes” response was provided to any of the questions in this section, provide the following documents directly to the board office:

A letter from a Licensed Health Care Practitioner, who is qualified by skill and training to address the condition identified, which explains the impact the condition may have on the ability to practice the profession with reasonable skill and safety. The letter must specify that the applicant is safe to practice the profession without restrictions or specifically indicate the restrictions that are necessary. Documentation provided must be dated within one year of the application date.

A written self-explanation, identifying the medical condition(s) or occurrence(s); and current status.

Applicants with Disciplinary History

Applicants who have ever been denied licensure, had disciplinary action taken against their license, or have action pending against their license to practice any health care related profession by a licensing authority are required to submit the following documentation to the board:

Self-Explanation – Applicants who have listed disciplinary action on the application must submit a letter in your own words describing the circumstances of the action.

Agency Records – All relevant documentation regarding the action should be sent to the board office by the licensing agency. If the records are not available, you must have a letter on agency letterhead sent from the licensing agency attesting to their unavailability.

Applicants with Criminal History

Any applicant who has ever been found guilty of or pled guilty or no contest/nolo contendre to any charge other than a minor traffic offense must list each offense on the application. Failure to disclose criminal history may result in denial of your application. Each application is reviewed on its own merits.

The Board of Respiratory Care has created guidelines for specific offenses to be cleared in the board office; however, staff cannot make determinations in advance as laws and rules do change over time. Violent crimes and repeat offenders are required to be presented to the Board of Respiratory Care for review. Evidence of rehabilitation is important to the board members when making licensure decisions.

Applicants with prior criminal convictions are required to submit the following documentation to the board:

Self-Explanation – Applicants who have listed offenses on the application must submit a letter in your own words describing the circumstances of the offense.

Final Dispositions/Arrest Records – Final disposition records for offenses can be obtained at the clerk of the court in the arresting jurisdiction. If the records are not available, you must have a letter on court letterhead sent from the clerk of the court attesting to their unavailability.

Completion of Probation/Parole/Sanctions – Probation and financial sanction records for offenses can be obtained at the clerk of the court in the arresting jurisdiction. Parole records for offenses can be obtained from the Department of Corrections or at the clerk of the court in the arresting jurisdiction. If the records are not available, you must have a letter on court letterhead sent from the clerk of the court attesting to their unavailability.

Letters of Recommendation – Applicants who have listed offenses on the application must submit 3-5 professional letters of recommendation from people you have worked for or with.

Health Care Fraud, Disqualification of Licensure, Certificate, or Registration

Effective July 1, 2012, Section 456.0635, Florida Statutes (F.S.), provides that health care boards or the department shall refuse to issue a license, certificate or registration and shall refuse to admit a candidate for examination if the applicant:

  1. Has been convicted of, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication, a felony under Chapter 409, F.S., (relating to social and economic assistance), Chapter 817, F.S., (relating to fraudulent practices), Chapter 893, F.S., (relating to drug abuse prevention and control) or a similar felony offense(s) in another state or jurisdiction unless the candidate or applicant has successfully completed a drug court program for that felony and provides proof that the plea has been withdrawn or the charges have been dismissed. Any such conviction or plea shall exclude the applicant or candidate from licensure, examination, certification, or registration, unless the sentence and any subsequent period of probation for such conviction or plea ended:
    1. For the felonies of the first or second degree, more than 15 years from the date of the plea, sentence and completion of any subsequent probation;
    2. For the felonies of the third degree, more than 10 years from the date of the plea, sentence and completion of any subsequent probation;
    3. For the felonies of the third degree under section 893.13(6)(a), F.S., more than five years from the date of the plea, sentence and completion of any subsequent probation;
  2. Has been convicted of, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication, a felony under 21 U.S.C. ss. 801-970 (relating to controlled substances) or 42 U.S.C. ss. 1395-1396 (relating to public health, welfare, Medicare and Medicaid issues), unless the sentence and any subsequent period of probation for such conviction or pleas ended more than 15 years prior to the date of the application;
  3. Has been terminated for cause from the Florida Medicaid program pursuant to section 409.913, F.S., unless the candidate or applicant has been in good standing with the Florida Medicaid program for the most recent five years;
  4. Has been terminated for cause, pursuant to the appeals procedures established by the state or Federal Government, from any other state Medicaid program, unless the candidate or applicant has been in good standing with a state Medicaid program for the most recent five years and the termination occurred at least 20 years before the date of the application;
  5. Is currently listed on the United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General’s List of Excluded Individuals and Entities.
Process

Request official Certification from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) (www.nbrc.org) be sent directly to our board office.

Request license verification(s) from all states in which you have ever held a license, if applicable. The verification must be sent directly to our board office.

Complete your Florida application online.

If applicants have any affirmative answers in the Criminal, Personal, or Disciplinary sections of the application, submission of the personal statement and supporting documentation can be emailed or faxed to our board office.*

*Any affirmative answers on the initial application to the criminal, disciplinary or personal history sections will require a personal written statement and supporting documentation. This documentation is reviewed to determine if a personal appearance at a board meeting is required.

Fees

Licensure Fees

New Initial Licensure Fee$50.00
Application Fee$50.00 (non-refundable)
Unlicensed Activity Fee$5.00
Total Fee Due with Application$105.00

Make checks or money orders payable to the “Department of Health.”

Statutes and Rules

Click on Chapter or Section Number to View

Florida Statute

Chapter 468, Part V: Respiratory Therapy
Chapter 456: Health Professions and Occupations: General Provisions
Chapter 120: Administrative Procedure Act

Florida Administrative Code

Rules: Chapter 64B32: Board of Respiratory Care, Florida Administrative Code
Rules: Chapter 64B: Division of Medical Quality Assurance, Florida Administrative Code

Processing Times

Florida law provides that an initial application must be reviewed within 30 days. Below is the average number of days at which we are currently processing.

Apply Online / Return to Login

To apply online visit MQA Services Portal to create an account or return to your account by clicking the button below.

Renew Your License

Click on the appropriate tab below to see the Renewal Requirements, Process, Fees and Continuing Education (CE) for a Respiratory Therapist.

Requirements
General Renewal Requirements

Current licenses expires at midnight, Eastern Time, on May 31, 2025.

The department will renew your license upon receipt of:

  1. Completed CE requirements- reported to CEBroker.com (see CEU tab regarding CE exemption)
  2. Completed renewal application
  3. Required fees (see fees tab)

Licensees requesting to reactivate their license from inactive or retired status are required to pay additional fees and comply with specific continuing education requirements. Please contact the board office at MQA.RespiratoryTherapy@flhealth.gov to request your reactivation requirements.

To ensure you receive your renewal notification from the department, your current mailing address must be on file. Failure to renew an active or inactive license by the expiration date will result in the license being placed in delinquent status. Failure by a delinquent licensee to renew before the expiration of the current licensure cycle renders the license Null and Void without any further action by the board or the department.

Licensees who fail to meet these requirements must reapply for licensure and comply with current laws and rules. Licensees who have become Null and Void or elected to Voluntarily Relinquish their RT/ CRT license must reapply for licensure and meet current requirements.

Military Exemption

To receive an exemption from the renewal requirements, please provide a copy of your orders which provides the beginning and end date of your current enlistment or a copy of your spouse’s orders. If you are a Commissioned Officer, you may provide a letter from your commanding officer that reflects the length of your contract with a beginning and end date to fulfill this requirement.

Option for Non-Renewal

Options:

  1. Retire – Pay a one-time $55 fee. The license remains in a dormant state and can be reactivated by the licensee if needed.
  2. Voluntarily Relinquish – Submit a formal request in writing to the Board. Relinquishment of the license, the license number is discontinued and cannot be reactivated.
  3. Delinquent & Null/Void – Take no action. The license will go delinquent after the expiration date and Null/Void 2 years after the expiration date. Once Null/Void, the license cannot be reactivated
Process

Renewal Instructions:

  1. Go to www.flhealthsource.gov and click the “Renew A License” button.
  2. Enter your Personal Identifying Information (PII), then click the Login button.
  3. Confirm or update your MQA Services Account email address, then click the “Continue” button.
  4. You are now in the Dashboard. During renewals, a “Renew My License” option will populate no later than 90 days prior to your license expiration date. (Note: If you do not see the “Renew My License” option, please check back at a later time.)

*** If the “PII Failed” screen displays, click the “Other Login Option” button and enter your existing User ID and password to access your account.***

Additional Information:

  • You may renew online if you have a credit or debit card to complete the transaction. Please note that you can now renew online, print a copy of your application summary and mail it with your cashier’s check or money order to:Division of Medical Quality Assurance
    P.O. Box 6320
    Tallahassee, FL 32314-6320
  • If you are renewing your license after the expiration date and your status still indicates Clear/Active, you will be assessed a delinquency fee. The delinquency fee will be in addition to your renewal fees.
  • If your license was Delinquent/Active before the renewal deadline, it will be moved to Null and Void status after the renewal deadline. You should contact your board office for further instruction.
  • The process of renewing a license may take 7-10 business days. Initiating contact to confirm the receipt of fees or the status of your license prior to this time will not expedite the renewal process.NOTE: Please allow 5-7 business days for your request to be processed. If you are requesting a name change outside of renewal and wish to receive a new license reflecting the name change, you must request a duplicate license.

Fees

Certified check or money order should be made payable to the Florida Department of Health.

If renewing BEFORE your license expires, your fees will be:

RenewalsFees
Active to Active$95.00
Inactive to Inactive$55.00
Active to Inactive$55.00
Inactive to Active$145.00
Active to Retired$55.00
Inactive to Retired$55.00

If renewing AFTER your license expires, your fees will be:

RenewalsFees
Active to Active$185.00
Inactive to Inactive$145.00
Active to Inactive$180.00
Inactive to Active$270.00
Active to Retired$180.00
Inactive to Retired$180.00

If renewing 120 day Notified Delinquent, your fees will be:

RenewalsFees
Active to Active$310.00
Inactive to Inactive$200.00
Active to Inactive$200.00
Inactive to Active$360.00
Active to Retired$270.00
Inactive to Retired$200.00

Licenses become Null & Void1 on June 1, 2025.

By submitting the appropriate renewal fees to the department, a licensee acknowledges compliance with all requirements for renewal, including continuing education.

A licensee who remains on inactive status for more than two consecutive biennial licensure cycles and who wishes to reactivate the license may be required to demonstrate competency to resume active practice by sitting for a special purpose examination or by completing other reactivation requirements.

1Null & Void -The licensed practitioner failed to renew their licensure status for two renewal cycles, resulting in their license expiring.

Continuing Education

The information provided is an overview only and licensees are encouraged to become familiar with the profession’s continuing education rules, Chapter 64B32-6.001 & 64B32-6.006, Florida Administrative Code, to ensure that they meet the Board’s specific requirements for renewal.

Continuing Education (CE/CEU) Requirements

To locate board approved CE Courses for Certified Respiratory Therapist, please visit courses.cebroker.com/search/fl/certified-respiratory-therapist.

To locate board approved CE Courses for Registered Respiratory Therapist, please visit courses.cebroker.com/search/fl/registered-respiratory-therapist.

To locate board approved CE Courses for Respiratory Care Practitioner Critical Care, please visit courses.cebroker.com/search/fl/respiratory-care-practitioner-critical-care.

To locate board approved CE Courses for Respiratory Care Practitioner Non-Critical Care, please visit courses.cebroker.com/search/fl/respiratory-care-practitioner-non-critical-care.

REQUIRED SUBJECT AREAREQUIRED NUMBER OF HOURSIMPORTANT INFORMATION
General Hours20
Medical Error2Mandatory for all licensees: 2 hours in a board-approved continuing education course pursuant to Rule 64B32-6.006, F.A.C.
Laws and Rules2Mandatory for all licensees: 2 credit hours pursuant to subsection 64B32-6.001(5), F.A.C. Licensees may earn up to 8 continuing education hours per biennium by attending meetings of the Board of Respiratory Care, but no more than 2 of those hours will be credited to satisfying the Florida laws and rules requirement.

As of August 3, 2016, home study/online courses are no longer limited to 12 hours starting the 2017 renewal biennium. All courses, including home study/online courses must be completed by an approved respiratory care provider. Live courses are still acceptable, available and are not limited, but are not mandatory starting 2017 renewal biennium.

Please note: If you are delinquent or reactivating your license, you will be required to meet the prior biennium requirements for previous cycles before reactivating or renewal of your license.

Current licenses expire at midnight, Eastern Standard Time, on May 31, 2025.

First Renewal: Respiratory Therapists renewing a license for the first time and were licensed in the second half of the biennium (on or after 06/01/2024) are exempt from the 24 hours of general continuing education. However, you are required to complete 7 hours which should consist of:

  • 2 hours in prevention of medical errors,
  • 2 hours on Florida Respiratory laws and rules,
  • 3 hours on HIV/AIDS course. (For the 3-hour HIV/AIDS course, this is a first renewal only
    requirement). Any HIV/AIDS course approved by any of the professions regulated within the
    Department of Health, Division of Medical Quality Assurance is acceptable.

Continuing education hours can only be credited after one is licensed and within the current biennium dates in which they are taken.

Respiratory Therapists renewing a license for the first time and were licensed in the first half of the biennium (6/1/2023-5/31/2024) are required to complete all 24 hours as state above, including the 3 hours on HIV/AIDS, for the first only requirement.

If you are changing your status from CRT to RRT, regardless of when the license is issued, you are not exempt from the continuing education requirements.

Board Rule Approved Providers

  • The American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC)
  • The Florida Society for Respiratory Care
  • The Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME)
  • The American Florida Thoracic Societies
  • The American College of Cardiology
  • The American College of Chest Physicians
  • The American and Florida Societies of Anesthesiologists
  • The American and Florida Lung Association
  • The National Society of Cardiopulmonary Technologists
  • The American Heart Association
  • The American Nurses Association and the Florida Nurses Association
  • The Florida Board of Nursing
  • Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).

Other Methods of Obtaining Continuing Education per Biennium

  • Licensees may earn up to 8 hours of continuing education for attending a public meeting of the Board – but no more than 2 hours can be credited for laws and rules
  • College or university courses in respiratory care program
  • ACLS, PALS and Neonatal resuscitation certification or any course offered/credential by the NBRC during the biennium (maximum of 16 hours)
  • ACLS, PALS and Neonatal resuscitation recertification classes (maximum of 8 hours)
  • Successful completion of the National Board of Respiratory Care re-credentialing exam
  • Continuing education may be awarded to a lecturer or an author presenting an initial course approved by the Board (maximum of 12 hours)
  • Members of the Board’s Probable Cause Panel (may earn medical errors and 3 general hours for serving on the panel)

Helpful Information

  • Home study/online self-study courses are no longer limited per renewal
  • BLS training does not count as CE credit for any of the 24 hours

Respiratory rules are available at: https://floridasrespiratorycare.gov/resources/

Statutes and Rules

Click on Chapter or Section Number to View

Florida Statute

Chapter 468, Part V: Respiratory Therapy
Chapter 456: Health Professions and Occupations: General Provisions
Chapter 120: Administrative Procedure Act

Florida Administrative Code

Rules: Chapter 64B32: Board of Respiratory Care, Florida Administrative Code
Rules: Chapter 64B: Division of Medical Quality Assurance, Florida Administrative Code

Renew Online

To renew online visit the MQA Services Portal by clicking the button below.

Continuing Education

The information provided is an overview only and licensees are encouraged to become familiar with the profession’s continuing education rules, Chapter 64B32-6.001 & 64B32-6.006, Florida Administrative Code, to ensure that they meet the Board’s specific requirements for renewal.

Continuing Education (CE/CEU) Requirements

To locate board approved CE Courses for Certified Respiratory Therapist, please visit courses.cebroker.com/search/fl/certified-respiratory-therapist.

To locate board approved CE Courses for Registered Respiratory Therapist, please visit courses.cebroker.com/search/fl/registered-respiratory-therapist.

To locate board approved CE Courses for Respiratory Care Practitioner Critical Care, please visit courses.cebroker.com/search/fl/respiratory-care-practitioner-critical-care.

To locate board approved CE Courses for Respiratory Care Practitioner Non-Critical Care, please visit courses.cebroker.com/search/fl/respiratory-care-practitioner-non-critical-care.

REQUIRED SUBJECT AREAREQUIRED NUMBER OF HOURSIMPORTANT INFORMATION
General Hours20
Medical Error2Mandatory for all licensees: 2 hours in a board-approved continuing education course pursuant to Rule 64B32-6.006, F.A.C.
Laws and Rules2Mandatory for all licensees: 2 credit hours pursuant to subsection 64B32-6.001(5), F.A.C. Licensees may earn up to 8 continuing education hours per biennium by attending meetings of the Board of Respiratory Care, but no more than 2 of those hours will be credited to satisfying the Florida laws and rules requirement.

As of August 3, 2016, home study/online courses are no longer limited to 12 hours starting the 2017 renewal biennium. All courses, including home study/online courses must be completed by an approved respiratory care provider. Live courses are still acceptable, available and are not limited, but are not mandatory starting 2017 renewal biennium.

Please note: If you are delinquent or reactivating your license, you will be required to meet the prior biennium requirements for previous cycles before reactivating or renewal of your license.

Current licenses expire at midnight, Eastern Standard Time, on May 31, 2025.

First Renewal: Respiratory Therapists renewing a license for the first time and were licensed in the second half of the biennium (on or after 06/01/2024) are exempt from the 24 hours of general continuing education. However, you are required to complete 7 hours which should consist of:

  • 2 hours in prevention of medical errors,
  • 2 hours on Florida Respiratory laws and rules,
  • 3 hours on HIV/AIDS course. (For the 3-hour HIV/AIDS course, this is a first renewal only
    requirement). Any HIV/AIDS course approved by any of the professions regulated within the
    Department of Health, Division of Medical Quality Assurance is acceptable.

Continuing education hours can only be credited after one is licensed and within the current biennium dates in which they are taken.

Respiratory Therapists renewing a license for the first time and were licensed in the first half of the biennium (6/1/2023-5/31/2024) are required to complete all 24 hours as state above, including the 3 hours on HIV/AIDS, for the first only requirement.

If you are changing your status from CRT to RRT, regardless of when the license is issued, you are not exempt from the continuing education requirements.

Board Rule Approved Providers

  • The American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC)
  • The Florida Society for Respiratory Care
  • The Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME)
  • The American Florida Thoracic Societies
  • The American College of Cardiology
  • The American College of Chest Physicians
  • The American and Florida Societies of Anesthesiologists
  • The American and Florida Lung Association
  • The National Society of Cardiopulmonary Technologists
  • The American Heart Association
  • The American Nurses Association and the Florida Nurses Association
  • The Florida Board of Nursing
  • Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).

Other Methods of Obtaining Continuing Education per Biennium

  • Licensees may earn up to 8 hours of continuing education for attending a public meeting of the Board – but no more than 2 hours can be credited for laws and rules
  • College or university courses in respiratory care program
  • ACLS, PALS and Neonatal resuscitation certification or any course offered/credential by the NBRC during the biennium (maximum of 16 hours)
  • ACLS, PALS and Neonatal resuscitation recertification classes (maximum of 8 hours)
  • Successful completion of the National Board of Respiratory Care re-credentialing exam
  • Continuing education may be awarded to a lecturer or an author presenting an initial course approved by the Board (maximum of 12 hours)
  • Members of the Board’s Probable Cause Panel (may earn medical errors and 3 general hours for serving on the panel)

Helpful Information

  • Home study/online self-study courses are no longer limited per renewal
  • BLS training does not count as CE credit for any of the 24 hours

Respiratory rules are available at: https://floridasrespiratorycare.gov/resources/