Respiratory Therapist

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

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 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.

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.

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.

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)
4. Complete a mandatory background screening or retain* your current fingerprints. To learn more, please visit https://flhealthsource.gov/background-screening/.

*Required section 456.0135(6)(1), Florida Statutes, a $43.25 fee is required for FDLE to retain your fingerprint for background screening during this licensure cycle. This fee is collected at the time of licensure renewal if your fingerprint retention is expiring this licensure period. If your fingerprint retention expires in the next 60 days, you will need to to pay separately through the Clearinghouse Applicant Initiated (CHAI) System.

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.

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.

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