Did you know you can become a respiratory therapist specializing in different practice areas? No matter what area of healthcare you work in or want to pursue, there's an add-on specialty credential to help you succeed! This article presents key information about the specialty credential opportunities available to respiratory therapists.
A respiratory therapy add-on specialty credential shows employers that you possess advanced training in the field—and you'll stand out among your peers when being considered for advancement and specialized roles.
Specialty RT credentials must be earned through the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC). These add-on credentials are verified the same way as the certified respiratory therapist (CRT) and registered respiratory therapist (RRT) credentials in the verification portal on the NBRC website.
Pulmonary Function Technologist Specialty (CPFT/RPFT)
Pulmonary function tests aid in disease diagnosis and provide accurate measurements of lung performance. Pulmonologists and primary care physicians order these tests to precisely assess lung function and see how effectively respiratory medications are working.
The PFT credential is perfect for any respiratory therapist working in a pulmonary function lab (it's usually required following a hire) or anywhere in the hospital. The credential has two levels, certified and registered, based on your PFT Exam score.
Low cut score = Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT)
High cut score = Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist (RPFT)
To qualify for the PFT Exam, you must be 18 or older with a certified respiratory therapist or a registered respiratory therapist credential. Visit the NBRC website to learn more about becoming a pulmonary function technologist.
Adult Critical Care Specialty (ACCS)
A respiratory career in adult critical care is one of the most exhilarating, fast-paced, high-stress, and rewarding environments a respiratory therapist can work in. The unexpected nature of the field speaks to those who thrive on adrenaline.
Adult critical care specialists work in various environments, including emergency departments, trauma centers, surgical, medical, neuro, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) departments, and on transport teams.
Whether you're new to being a registered respiratory therapist or are looking to specialize, the ACCS credential will develop your skillset and provide the confidence you need to succeed in critical care.
To qualify for the ACCS Exam, you must be an RRT for at least one year before applying for the exam. Visit the NBRC website to learn more about becoming an adult critical care specialist.
Neonatal/Pediatric Specialty (NPS)
If you find the above description of the ACCS credential intriguing but want to work with neonatal, infant, and pediatric patients, look no further than the NPS specialty!
Respiratory therapists with an NPS credential work in neonatal intensive care units, pediatric intensive care units, infant or pediatric clinics, labor and delivery units, emergency departments, and on transport teams.
You must be a registered respiratory therapist to apply for the NPS Exam. Visit the NBRC website to learn more about becoming a neonatal/pediatric specialist.
Sleep Disorder Specialty (SDS)
Sleep is a fascinating and rapidly expanding area of interest for respiratory therapists. An SDS credential focuses on competencies unique to diagnosing and treating sleep disorders. The credential is a valuable addition for RTs who focus on sleep education, intervention, and therapeutics.
According to the American Medical Association, the number of Americans suffering from sleep apnea in 2022 was estimated to be around 30 million people (about the population of Texas).
These heightened numbers, paired with an increase in physicians diagnosing sleep apnea at an earlier rate, have created a dynamic industry for respiratory therapists in diagnostic sleep labs, home sleep test facilitators, and durable medical equipment companies (DMEs) providing consumers with RX-only diagnostic equipment, sleep apnea medical devices, and related supplies.
Other workspaces in the sleep industry include respiratory telehealth services, patient homes, sleep centers, polysomnography report interpretation services, and hospital sleep departments.
To qualify for the SDS Exam, you must meet one of the following:
A CRT or RRT from an accredited RT education program with a sleep add-on track, or
A CRT for at least six months before applying for the exam, or
An RRT for at least three months before applying for the exam.
Visit the NBRC website to learn more about becoming a sleep disorder specialist.
Asthma Educator Specialty (AE-C)
Asthma educators are experts in identifying triggers, teaching proper medication administration, reviewing spirometry, and developing asthma action plans. These respiratory specialists work directly with patients from birth to the end of life.
Educators specializing in asthma management work in diverse locations, including hospitals, continuing care facilities, physician offices, pulmonary rehabs, schools, and allergy clinics. Health insurance companies also employ these educators to ensure beneficiaries avoid costly and life-threatening acute care emergencies.
While certified respiratory therapists and registered respiratory therapists are eligible to take the AE-C Exam, so are credentialed clinicians outside of respiratory care, including:
Nurses (RN, LPN, NP)
Pulmonary Function Technologists (RPFT, CPFT)
Social Workers (CSW)
Health Educators (CHES)
Physical Therapists (PT)
Occupational Therapists (OT)
Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT, AEMT)
Paramedics
Physicians (MD, DO)
Physician Assistants (PA-C)
Visit the NBRC website to learn more about becoming an asthma educator specialist.
We hope this article inspires you to explore the respiratory therapy add-on specialty credentials available to you!