How to Get Your California Respiratory Care Practitioner License | RCP Requirements
- Respiratory care graduates applying for a California RCP license for the first time
- Travel respiratory therapists evaluating California licensure requirements before an assignment
- Out-of-state respiratory therapists seeking California licensure — note that California does not offer reciprocity
California RCP Licensing — At a Glance
| State License Required? | Yes — California requires a license (or Applicant Work Permit) to practice respiratory care |
| Credential Name | Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) |
| Governing Body | Respiratory Care Board of California (RCB), under the Department of Consumer Affairs — a standalone board, not under a medical board |
| NBRC Credential Required | RRT required — applicants must pass both the TMC (at the higher cut score) and the Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE); CRT holders who earned that credential before January 1, 2015 are grandfathered |
| State Exam / Jurisprudence | No proctored state exam; however, a mandatory 3-hour Law and Professional Ethics Course (via AARC or CSRC) is required before licensure |
| Education Requirement | CoARC-accredited respiratory care program; minimum associate degree from a regionally accredited institution (official transcripts sent directly from institution to RCB) |
| Application Fee | $300.00; out-of-state applicants add $49 for fingerprint processing |
| Application Method | Online via BreEZe (breeze.ca.gov); mail also available |
| Processing Time | Not published — processing depends on receipt of third-party items (NBRC verification, official transcripts, and fingerprint results) |
| Background Check | Yes — Live Scan fingerprinting (California residents); two ink-rolled fingerprint cards mailed to RCB (out-of-state, $49 additional fee) |
| Applicant Work Permit | Available for qualified graduates awaiting full licensure — allows supervised practice in a California healthcare facility |
| Reciprocity / Endorsement | Not available — California does not offer reciprocity; out-of-state applicants must complete the full California licensure process |
| Interstate Compact | Not enacted — verify current status with the RCB and compact commission |
| Governing Law | Business and Professions Code Chapter 8.3 (Respiratory Care Practice Act); California Code of Regulations Title 16, Division 13.6 |
California requires a license to practice respiratory care, issued by the Respiratory Care Board of California (RCB) — a standalone licensing board under the Department of Consumer Affairs, not embedded within a medical board. The credential is called the Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) license. Applications are submitted through BreEZe, California’s unified professional licensing system.
California is one of the stricter states for respiratory care licensure. New applicants must hold the Registered Respiratory Therapist credential from the NBRC — both the Therapist Multiple Choice examination at the higher cut score and the Clinical Simulation Examination are required. California also does not offer reciprocity: out-of-state practitioners, regardless of years of experience or other state licenses held, must complete the full California application process. Those who hold other state healthcare licenses must also have each of those licenses verified directly to the RCB.
What Makes California Different
Several California features stand out. First, the RRT credential is mandatory for new applicants — the CRT credential is not sufficient for initial licensure unless it was earned before January 1, 2015. Second, California requires no reciprocity pathway: every out-of-state practitioner applies on the same basis as a California graduate, submitting NBRC verification, transcripts, a background check, and the Law and Professional Ethics course certificate. Third, there is a mandatory Law and Professional Ethics Course that must be completed before the license is issued — this is not a proctored jurisprudence examination, but rather a continuing education course administered through AARC or CSRC that covers California respiratory care law and ethics. Fourth, California requires a 2″x2″ passport-style photo taken within the last 60 days as part of the application.
Interstate Compact and License Portability
California has not enacted the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact (RCIC). No compact privileges are available for California-based practice, and California’s no-reciprocity policy means there is no expedited pathway for out-of-state practitioners in any case. Every respiratory therapist who wants to practice in California needs a full California RCP license. Verify current compact status with the Respiratory Care Board of California and the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact commission.
California RCP Licensure Requirements
Education
Applicants must graduate from a respiratory care program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) and be awarded a minimum of an associate degree from an institution or university accredited by a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Official transcripts must be sent directly from the institution to the RCB — the applicant cannot hand-deliver them. Electronic transcripts from recognized third-party vendors (such as Parchment or National Student Clearinghouse) sent to rcbtranscripts@dca.ca.gov are also accepted. Source: Respiratory Care Board of California.
NBRC Examination
California requires the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential from the NBRC. To earn the RRT, applicants must pass the Therapist Multiple Choice (TMC) examination at the higher of the two established cut scores — this qualifies them for the Clinical Simulation Examination — AND pass the Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE). Passing the TMC at only the lower cut score earns the CRT credential but does not satisfy California’s licensure requirement. The RCB obtains NBRC examination results directly for applicants with a California address; credentialed applicants must request an official verification letter from their NBRC account sent directly to the RCB. Source: Respiratory Care Board of California.
Law and Professional Ethics Course
Before a California RCP license is issued, applicants must complete a mandatory Law and Professional Ethics Course and attach the Certificate of Completion to their online application. The course is available through the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) or the California Society for Respiratory Care (CSRC), either online or through a live CSRC session. Only one course is required. This is not a proctored examination — it is a continuing education course. The same course requirement returns every other renewal cycle. Source: Respiratory Care Board of California.
Background Check
All applicants must complete a fingerprint-based criminal background check. California residents use the Live Scan service — electronic fingerprinting at designated locations. Out-of-state applicants must have two sets of fingerprints rolled with ink on designated cards and mail them to the RCB, along with a $49 fingerprint processing fee in addition to the application fee. Contact the RCB for fingerprint card request instructions. Source: Respiratory Care Board of California.
Applicant Work Permit
California issues an RCP Applicant Work Permit to qualified graduates who hold at least the CRT credential and have secured an employment offer at a California healthcare facility, allowing supervised practice while the full RCP application is being processed. The Applicant Work Permit allows supervised practice only and automatically terminates when the full license is issued. Contact the RCB for current Work Permit eligibility and requirements. Source: Respiratory Care Board of California FAQs.
How to Apply for a California RCP License
Applications are submitted online through the BreEZe system. Applications may be submitted up to 90 days before meeting education requirements (new graduates with a program director certification), or once all requirements are met. The general process:
- Create a BreEZe account and begin the RCP application
- Attach a 2″x2″ passport-style photo taken within the last 60 days
- Complete and attach the Law and Professional Ethics Course Certificate of Completion (from AARC or CSRC)
- Arrange for official transcripts to be sent directly from your institution to the RCB
- Request an NBRC credential verification letter sent directly from NBRC to the RCB (credentialed applicants), or arrange for NBRC to send your exam results directly (California-address applicants)
- Complete the fingerprint background check — Live Scan if you are a California resident, or mail two ink-rolled fingerprint cards to RCB if out-of-state (with $49 additional fee)
- If applicable, arrange for any other healthcare licenses you hold (in any state) to send verification directly to the RCB
- Pay the application fee ($300, or $349 if out-of-state fingerprint cards are submitted)
- Monitor your application status through your BreEZe account
- ☐ Graduate from CoARC-accredited program with minimum associate degree
- ☐ Pass NBRC TMC at the higher cut score + CSE to earn RRT credential
- ☐ Complete Law and Professional Ethics Course (AARC or CSRC) — attach certificate to application
- ☐ Obtain 2″x2″ passport-style photo (taken within last 60 days)
- ☐ Arrange official transcripts sent directly from institution to RCB
- ☐ Request NBRC credential verification sent directly to RCB
- ☐ Complete fingerprint background check (Live Scan for CA residents; ink-rolled cards + $49 fee for out-of-state)
- ☐ Arrange verification of any other healthcare licenses sent to RCB
- ☐ Submit BreEZe application and pay $300 (+ $49 if out-of-state fingerprints)
Out-of-State Applicants: No Reciprocity in California
California does not offer reciprocity or endorsement pathways for out-of-state respiratory therapists. All out-of-state applicants must complete the full California RCP application — the same process as new graduates. This means submitting NBRC verification, CoARC transcripts, the Law and Professional Ethics Course certificate, background check, and application fee regardless of how many years of experience or other state licenses the applicant holds. If the applicant holds any healthcare license in any state, a verification from each issuing agency must also be sent directly to the RCB. Source: Respiratory Care Board of California.
Practical Notes for California Applicants
- California requires the RRT — plan your NBRC exams accordingly. Passing the TMC at the lower cut score earns only the CRT credential, which is not sufficient for California licensure for new applicants. You need the higher TMC cut score to qualify for the CSE, and then you need to pass the CSE to earn the RRT. This is a two-step examination process, not just passing any NBRC exam.
- Complete the Law and Professional Ethics Course before applying. The certificate must be attached to your BreEZe application. AARC and CSRC both offer this course — check each provider’s website for current availability and format before selecting. This requirement returns every other renewal cycle after licensure.
- Out-of-state practitioners: California is a full-application state. There is no shortcut. No matter how many years of experience or state licenses you hold, California requires the same documents as a new graduate. Factor the full application timeline into any California assignment planning.
- Fingerprinting logistics for out-of-state applicants. Contact the RCB before submitting to get the correct fingerprint cards and instructions. Using the wrong card format will delay processing. The $49 fee covers state and federal processing costs.
- Applications can be submitted before graduation. New graduates can apply up to 90 days before completing their program, using a Program Director Certification. This is designed to minimize the gap between graduation and licensure — take advantage of it.
Relevant Statutes and Regulations
- Business and Professions Code § 3740 — Respiratory Care Practice Act
- Respiratory Care Board — Laws and Regulations
Related Pages
- California Respiratory Care Practitioner Renewal — CE Requirements and Fees
- Ohio Respiratory Care Professional Licensing — Initial Requirements
- Respiratory Care Licensing by State — Complete Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a license to practice respiratory care in California?
Yes. California requires either a Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) license or a valid RCP Applicant Work Permit to practice respiratory care legally in the state. The license is issued by the Respiratory Care Board of California. Source: Respiratory Care Board of California.
Does California accept the CRT credential for initial licensure?
Generally no. California requires the RRT credential for new applicants, meaning both the TMC examination at the higher cut score and the Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE) must be passed. The only exception is for individuals who earned their CRT credential before January 1, 2015, who are grandfathered under the previous requirements. Source: Respiratory Care Board of California.
What is the Law and Professional Ethics Course — is it a jurisprudence exam?
No. California’s Law and Professional Ethics Course is a continuing education course, not a proctored examination. It covers California respiratory care law and professional ethics and must be completed before the initial license is issued. It is offered by the AARC or CSRC, online or live. Only one course is required for initial licensure; the requirement returns every other renewal cycle. Source: Respiratory Care Board of California.
Does California offer reciprocity for out-of-state respiratory therapists?
No. California does not offer a reciprocity or endorsement pathway. All out-of-state applicants must complete the full California application, including NBRC verification, transcripts, Law and Professional Ethics Course, and fingerprint background check — the same process required of new graduates. Source: Respiratory Care Board of California.
Is California part of the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact?
No. California has not enacted the RCIC. No compact privileges are available for California-based practice. Verify current status with the Respiratory Care Board of California and the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact commission.
Can I get a California RCP license with only a CRT credential?
For most applicants, no — California requires the full RRT credential (passing both the TMC at the higher cut score and the CSE). The only exception is for individuals who earned their CRT credential before January 1, 2015, who are grandfathered under previous requirements. If you are a new graduate or earned your CRT on or after January 1, 2015, you must pass both NBRC examinations to earn the RRT before applying for a California license. Source: Respiratory Care Board of California.
Do out-of-state applicants need Live Scan for fingerprinting?
No. Live Scan is for California residents only. Out-of-state applicants must have two sets of ink-rolled fingerprints on designated fingerprint cards. Contact the RCB to request the correct cards — other formats are not accepted. Mail the completed cards to the RCB along with a $49 additional fee to cover state and federal background check processing. Source: Respiratory Care Board of California.
California does not publish a fixed processing timeline. Application processing depends primarily on how quickly third-party items arrive at the RCB — NBRC verification, official transcripts, and fingerprint results. The RCB recommends submitting applications as early as possible, and new graduates can apply up to 90 days before completing their program. Verify current timing expectations directly with the RCB at (916) 999-2190. Source: Respiratory Care Board of California.