California Respiratory Care Practitioner Renewal | CE Requirements & Fees

California RCP licenses renew every two years, with one significant difference from most states: the expiration date is based on the licensee’s birth month, not the calendar year or issuance anniversary. Every renewal cycle ends at midnight on the last day of the RCP’s birth month in the renewal year. See the table above for the current renewal fee and CE requirements.

California also has a detailed continuing education structure that changed significantly in 2024. The new framework separates CE hours into clinical practice, leadership, and indirect categories, adds a live-format minimum, and requires the Law and Professional Ethics Course every other renewal cycle. Every hour matters — the categories are individually enforced, and practicing with an expired license is illegal with no grace period.

Continuing Education Requirements for California RCP Renewal

California’s CE requirements for RCP renewal are governed by CCR § 1399.350, with the new framework effective January 1, 2024. The 30-hour total is divided as follows:

Standard Renewal (30 Hours)

• At least 15 hours — Clinical Practice: CE directly related to the clinical practice of respiratory care, including training on respiratory care practice and successful completion of approved NBRC credentialing or certification examinations.
• At least 10 hours — RCP Leadership: CE directly related to RCP leadership, including qualified precepting of respiratory care students, effective communication in healthcare, training for educators, and training in case management, health care financial reimbursement, cost containment, or health care management. The mandatory Law and Professional Ethics Course (required every other renewal cycle) counts toward leadership hours.
• Up to 5 hours — Indirect / Other: Attendance at open RCB board meetings, CSRC or AARC meetings (as designated by each provider), or courses indirectly related to respiratory care or to the role of a health care practitioner.
• At least 15 hours — Live Format: Of the total 30 hours, at least 15 must be completed as live CE — meaning in-person sessions or online platforms with real-time interaction between the learner and the instructor. Leadership hours do not have to be live; the live requirement applies to the total.

First Renewal (15 Hours Reduced)

If this is your first renewal since initial licensure, you are only required to complete 15 hours of CE, proportionally distributed: at least 7 hours clinical practice, at least 5 hours RCP leadership, and up to 3 hours indirect. Source: RCB First Renewal CE Requirements.

Law and Professional Ethics Course

The 3-hour Law and Professional Ethics Course is required every other renewal cycle. It counts toward the 10-hour RCP leadership requirement. The course is available through AARC or CSRC — check each provider’s website for current scheduling and online availability. When the Law and Ethics course is required, your BreEZe renewal application will prompt you to document completion. Source: Respiratory Care Board of California.

Approved CE Providers and NBRC Exam Credit

CE must be provided or approved by an approved CE provider. California recognizes CE approved by the AARC and CSRC. Successful completion of NBRC credentialing or certification examinations counts toward clinical practice CE hours. RCB board meeting attendance counts toward indirect CE hours (at CSRC or AARC discretion). CE documentation must be retained for at least 4 years — two full renewal cycles — and may be requested during RCB random audits. Source: RCB CE Questions.

How to Renew a California RCP License

Renewal is completed online through breeze.ca.gov. Online renewal opens 90 days before your birth-month expiration date. Online renewals are processed immediately; mail renewals should be submitted at least 30 days before expiration. Steps:

1. Log in to your BreEZe account and navigate to your RCP license renewal
2. Verify your personal information is current — particularly your address; your renewed pocket card will be mailed to the address on file
3. Complete the 30-hour CE requirement, including the mandatory 15 hours live, 15 hours clinical practice, and 10 hours leadership; attach CE certificates if prompted
4. If this is the renewal cycle requiring the Law and Professional Ethics Course, attach the certificate of completion
5. Pay the renewal fee shown in the table above
6. Submit and retain your renewal confirmation; an updated pocket card will be mailed within 2-3 business days after processing is complete

Delinquent Licenses and Cancellation

There is no grace period after the expiration date. Practicing with an expired California RCP license is illegal. If your license has lapsed, a delinquency fee of $330 is added to the standard renewal fee for licenses expired two years or less, bringing the total to $660. For licenses expired more than two years but not more than three years, the delinquency fee increases to $660, bringing the total due to $990. These amounts are codified in CCR § 1399.395, effective July 1, 2020. Fees are subject to change by the Board — verify the current amounts with the RCB before submitting any payment. Source: Respiratory Care Board of California.

The BreEZe renewal system remains accessible for delinquent licenses up to three years after the expiration date. After three years, the license is cancelled and cannot be renewed or reinstated — the individual must submit a completely new initial license application and meet all current licensure requirements. Do not allow a California RCP license to lapse beyond three years if you intend to return to practice in California. Contact the RCB at rcbinfo@dca.ca.gov or (916) 999-2190 before taking any action on a delinquent or potentially cancelled license. Source: Respiratory Care Board of California.

Inactive License Status

California offers an inactive license renewal option for RCPs who are not currently practicing. Renewing inactive keeps the license current and avoids delinquent fees. The renewal fee is the same as active renewal, but no CE hours are required. An inactive licensee is not authorized to practice respiratory care in California. If you later wish to resume practice, contact the RCB for reactivation requirements. Source: Respiratory Care Board of California.

Compact Renewal Implications

California has not enacted the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact and no compact renewal implications apply to California RCP holders. Verify current compact status with the Respiratory Care Board of California and the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact commission.

Practical Notes for California License Renewal

• Know your specific expiration date — not two years from when you were licensed. California expires licenses at midnight on the last day of your birth month. If your birth month is July, your license expires July 31 in your renewal year — not on the date you were originally licensed. Confirm your exact date in BreEZe.
• The 15-hour live requirement is separate from all other categories. Leadership CE does not need to be live. Clinical practice CE does not need to all be live. But at least 15 of your total 30 hours must come from live sessions (in-person or real-time interactive online). Plan this early — live CE has limited scheduling windows.
• The Law and Professional Ethics Course is required every other cycle. Check whether your current renewal cycle requires it — BreEZe will prompt you if it does. Take the course from AARC or CSRC, not from a third-party provider who claims it is approved, and attach the certificate. This is the one CE item that cannot be substituted.
• Retain CE records for 4 years. California’s RCB conducts random audits. You must be able to produce CE certificates going back two full renewal cycles if selected. Don’t discard CE documentation after renewal.
• Travel respiratory therapists: plan around your birth month. Unlike states with fixed December 31 or May/November cohort dates, California’s expiration is tied to your birthday — it’s individual. Know your expiration month and build it into every California assignment plan.
• Inactive status is an option if you stop practicing. Rather than letting your license lapse and accumulating delinquency fees, renewing inactive keeps the license current at the standard renewal fee with no CE requirement. It is much easier to reactivate from inactive status than to renew a delinquent license.

Related Pages

• California Respiratory Care Practitioner Licensing — Initial Requirements
• Texas Respiratory Care Practitioner Renewal — CE Requirements
• Respiratory Care Licensing by State — Complete Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

When does my California RCP license expire?

Your California RCP license expires at midnight on the last day of your birth month, every two years. This is a birthday-based expiration — it does not align with any fixed calendar date or with your original issuance date. Verify your specific expiration date through your BreEZe account or the DCA License Search. Source: Respiratory Care Board of California.

How many CE hours are required for California RCP renewal?

Standard renewal requires 30 hours of CE per biennial cycle, including at least 15 hours clinical practice, at least 10 hours RCP leadership, at least 15 hours live format, and up to 5 hours indirect. First renewal only: 15 hours total (proportionally reduced). Source: RCB CE Questions.

Does the Law and Professional Ethics Course need to be completed every renewal cycle?

No — the Law and Professional Ethics Course is required every other renewal cycle, not every cycle. When it is required, it counts as 3 hours toward your RCP leadership CE. Your BreEZe renewal application will indicate whether the current cycle requires it. Source: Respiratory Care Board of California.

What is the renewal fee for a California RCP license?

The renewal fee is $330, per CCR § 1399.395 effective July 1, 2020. Fees are subject to change by the Board — verify the current amount directly with the RCB before submitting payment. Source: Respiratory Care Board of California.

What happens if I miss my California RCP renewal deadline?

There is no grace period. A delinquency fee of $330 is added immediately for licenses expired two years or less (total due: $660). For licenses expired more than two years but not more than three years, the delinquency fee is $660 (total due: $990). These amounts are per CCR § 1399.395, effective July 1, 2020 — verify current amounts with the RCB. After three years, the license is cancelled and you must apply for new initial licensure. Source: Respiratory Care Board of California.

Can I renew my California RCP license if I am not currently practicing?

Yes — California offers inactive license renewal. You pay the same renewal fee but are not required to complete CE. An inactive licensee cannot practice respiratory care in California, but the license remains current and avoids delinquent fees. Source: Respiratory Care Board of California.