{"application_form_url":"https://www.rcb.ca.gov/applicants/apply.shtml","application_portal_url":"https://www.breeze.ca.gov","board_contact_url":"https://www.rcb.ca.gov/about_us/contact_us.shtml","board_email":"See board website","board_fax":"N/A (contact by phone)","board_mailing_address":"See board website","board_name":"California Respiratory Care Board","board_parent_org":"Title Protection Only (Business and Professions Code Section 2585)","board_phone":"(916) 999-2190","board_physical_address":"See board website","board_source_url":"http://www.rcb.ca.gov","board_url":"http://www.rcb.ca.gov","canonical_url":"https://statelicensingreference.com/california-rrt","ce_requirements_url":null,"common_delays":[{"description":"Missing signatures, fees, or required attachments like the passport photo will cause the application to be returned.","title":"Incomplete Application"},{"description":"Manual fingerprint cards from out-of-state can take 6-8 weeks to process compared to 3-7 days for Live Scan.","title":"Fingerprint Processing"},{"description":"Transcripts not showing the 'Degree Awarded' status or not being sent directly from the registrar will not be accepted.","title":"Transcript Delays"},{"description":"Applications with a criminal history are referred to the Enforcement Unit, which can significantly extend the review time.","title":"Criminal History Review"}],"compact_member":false,"compact_name":"N/A","compact_privilege_fee":"N/A","created_at":"2026-04-09T17:05:28.570598+00:00","credential_type":"Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT)","description":"Apply for a California Respiratory Therapist credential. Learn about the requirements, NBRC (National Board for Respiratory Care) TMC Exam, and state fees.","endorsement_application_url":"https://www.rcb.ca.gov/applicants/apply.shtml","endorsement_fees":{"app_fee":"$100","background_check_fee":"$0 (included in application)","jurisprudence_exam_fee":"$0","total_estimated_cost":"$100"},"endorsement_steps":[{"description":"Contact every state where you hold or have held a license and request an official verification be sent directly to the RCB.","title":"Verify Out-of-State License","url":null,"url_label":"null"},{"description":"Apply via BreEZe as an out-of-state applicant, paying the $300 fee plus $49 for fingerprint card processing.","title":"Submit California Application","url":"https://www.breeze.ca.gov","url_label":"BreEZe Portal"},{"description":"If outside California, request fingerprint cards from the board, have them rolled by law enforcement, and mail them back.","title":"Submit Fingerprint Cards","url":null,"url_label":"null"},{"description":"Even if licensed elsewhere, you must complete the California-specific Law and Professional Ethics course.","title":"Complete Ethics Course","url":null,"url_label":null}],"exam_registration_url":"https://www.nbrc.org","faqs":[{"answer":"Generally, it takes between two and six weeks once all documents (transcripts, exam results, fingerprints) are received.","question":"How long does the application process take?"},{"answer":"You may be eligible for a 180-day work permit if you have graduated and passed the CRT exam, but you must wait for the board to issue it.","question":"Can I work while my application is pending?"},{"answer":"30 hours every 2 years: 15 clinical, 10 leadership, and 5 other. A Law and Ethics course is required every other cycle.","question":"What are the CE requirements for renewal?"},{"answer":"Yes, for all new applicants, the RRT credential (passing both TMC at the high cut score and the CSE) is required.","question":"Do I need the RRT credential to be licensed in California?"}],"fee_payment_url":"https://www.rcb.ca.gov/applicants/apply.shtml","fingerprint_delay_weeks":"2-4","fingerprint_fee":"$49.00","fingerprint_method_in_state":"LiveScan (IdentoGO)","fingerprint_method_out_of_state":"IdentoGO Out-of-State Live Scan (adds ~$39.95 fee) OR FD-258 hard card via mail (tip: moisturize hands for days prior to reduce smudge rejects)","fingerprint_required":true,"fingerprint_url":null,"fingerprint_vendor":"California DOJ LiveScan","fingerprint_vendor_url":"https://oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/locations","initial_fee_amount":300.0,"initial_fee_breakdown":"$100 application/license fee","last_updated":"2026-02-25","last_verified":"2026-02-25","license_duration":"2 Years","licensing_pathway":"endorsement","payload_url":"https://statelicensingreference.com/api/california-rrt.json","processing_time":"4 to 6 Weeks","profession":"Respiratory Therapist","provisional_info":"Many states offer a limited permit or provisional license for new graduates waiting to take the NBRC. Check specific board rules for supervisory requirements.","reciprocity_info":"Respiratory Therapists licensed in another state can often apply via endorsement by providing license verification and current certification.","renewal_cycle":"Every 2 years","renewal_fee_amount":50.0,"renewal_portal_url":"https://www.breeze.ca.gov","required_documents":[{"description":"Must be sent directly from the college to the board, showing an associate degree in respiratory care.","name":"Official Transcripts","url":null,"url_label":"null"},{"description":"Request an official credential verification letter from the NBRC to be sent directly to the California board.","name":"NBRC Credential Verification","url":"https://www.nbrc.org","url_label":"Request NBRC Verification"},{"description":"A 2x2 inch passport-style photo taken within the last 60 days must be attached to the application.","name":"Passport-Style Photo","url":null,"url_label":"null"},{"description":"Certificate of completion from an RCB-approved course (AARC or CSRC).","name":"Law and Professional Ethics Certificate","url":null,"url_label":"null"},{"description":"Required if applying up to 90 days before graduation to verify upcoming completion of the program.","name":"Program Director Certification","url":null,"url_label":null}],"slug":"california-rrt","state_name":"California","state_slug":"california","statutes_url":null,"steps":[{"description":"Register for an account on the California Department of Consumer Affairs BreEZe system to start your application.","title":"Create a BreEZe Account","url":"https://www.breeze.ca.gov","url_label":"Register on BreEZe"},{"description":"Complete the online application for a Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) license and pay the $300 application fee.","title":"Submit Initial Application","url":"https://www.breeze.ca.gov","url_label":"Apply Online"},{"description":"California residents must use Live Scan. Out-of-state applicants must submit two fingerprint cards and an additional $49 fee.","title":"Complete Fingerprinting","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"Successfully pass the Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) Examination at the RRT cut score and the Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE).","title":"Pass NBRC Examinations","url":"https://www.nbrc.org","url_label":"NBRC Website"},{"description":"Complete a board-approved 3-hour course on California Law and Professional Ethics through the AARC or CSRC.","title":"Complete Law and Professional Ethics Course","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"Request your educational institution to send official transcripts directly to the board showing your awarded associate degree.","title":"Submit Official Transcripts","url":null,"url_label":"null"}],"temp_license_available":false,"temp_license_duration":"See board","temp_license_fee":"See board","temp_license_processing_time":"See board","updated_at":"2026-04-10T17:14:16.401863+00:00","verify_license_url":"https://search.dca.ca.gov"}