Respiratory Therapy Examination (Respiratory Therapy Examination) Exam Blueprint

What This Exam Validates

The official respiratory care assessment is certified by the NBRC and serves as the primary evaluation replacing separate TMC and CSE evaluations starting January 1, 2027. Note that the CSE remains available through December 31, 2027 for candidates who pass TMC at the high cut score before December 31, 2026. Candidates complete the assessment over a duration of 240 minutes at a total exam price of $360 to earn professional credentials while meeting all criteria.

Who Should Take This Exam

Advanced respiratory therapists and graduates of accredited respiratory care education programs who want to earn professional credentials. Candidates must meet specific age and education requirements before applying.

Skills You Should Be Ready to Demonstrate

• Evaluate data in patient records
• Perform clinical assessment
• Gather clinical information
• Troubleshoot devices
• Ensure infection prevention
• Maintain a patent airway
• Support oxygenation and ventilation

How to Prepare

Review detailed content outlines provided by the NBRC to understand the specific patient care settings and question topics in complete detail before your scheduled test date. Utilize official self-assessment exams and practice materials to carefully evaluate your performance and identify areas needing further study before exam day arrives.

Domain Study Guidance

I. PATIENT DATA: Study Guidance

This domain focuses extensively on reviewing medical records, conducting clinical assessments, and executing procedures needed to gather accurate information regarding a patient's overall respiratory status during care evaluations.

• Evaluate Data in the Patient Record
• Perform Clinical Assessment
• Perform Procedures to Gather Clinical Information

II. MANAGEMENT of DEVICES and PATIENT SAFETY PROCEDURES: Study Guidance

This specific domain covers the technical aspects of troubleshooting clinical devices during and after setup while maintaining strict safety standards and standard quality assurance protocols across various practice environments.

• Troubleshoot Devices During and After Assembling
• Ensure Infection Prevention or Control, Safety, and Performance of Quality Assurance Procedures

III. INITIATION and MODIFICATION of INTERVENTIONS: Study Guidance

This specific domain directly addresses standard therapeutic interventions such as maintaining artificial airways, executing lung expansion techniques, and supporting patient ventilation to improve clinical outcomes successfully during active medical care.

• Maintain a Patent Airway Including the Care of Artificial Airways
• Perform Airway Clearance and Lung Expansion Techniques
• Support Oxygenation and Ventilation

Breadth of Knowledge portion: Study Guidance

This specific domain carefully evaluates the broad range of professional knowledge expected of candidates across general respiratory care topics and clinical practice environments to ensure complete competence before final certification.

• General respiratory care knowledge
• Clinical practice integration

Depth of Clinical Judgement portion: Study Guidance

This specific domain actively tests advanced clinical judgement abilities required to make appropriate decisions regarding patient management and treatment modifications in complex healthcare scenarios encountered by active practitioners.

• Clinical decision making
• Patient management strategies

Exam-Day Guidance

Arrive at the designated assessment center well in advance with proper identification. Make sure you manage your 240 minutes effectively across all scheduled examination questions during your session.