Nevada Respiratory Therapist License Requirements

Nevada licenses respiratory therapists under the title Practitioner of Respiratory Care, regulated by the Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners under NRS Chapter 630. Applications are submitted online through the Board’s portal, and the total initial fee is $360 for the full biennium — broken into a $100 application fee, a $185 biennial registration fee, and a $75 criminal background check fee. Fingerprint cards and CBC instructions are sent by the Board after the completed application is received.

Nevada’s application process includes one unusual provision: the Board requires specific identity documentation that varies by citizenship status. U.S.-born citizens must provide an original or certified birth certificate with original seal; foreign-born citizens must provide an original Certificate of Naturalization or current U.S. Passport; and non-citizens must provide alien registration or employment authorization documents along with an ITIN and supporting identification. This level of identity documentation is more formalized than most states in this series.

What Makes Nevada Different

Nevada licenses respiratory therapists under the legal credential title “Practitioner of Respiratory Care (PRC).” Although employers and practitioners commonly use the term Respiratory Therapist (RT), Nevada licensing documents use the PRC title. The legal credential name matters for licensure documentation, verification requests, and any Nevada-specific forms that reference license type.

Nevada also has an important scope note for practitioners who perform blood gas analysis: blood gas licenses in Nevada are not issued by the Board of Medical Examiners. The Board’s own forms page notes: “Blood gas licenses are issued by the Bureau of Health Care Quality and Compliance. You can contact that agency by calling 775-684-1030.” If blood gas work is part of your Nevada practice, you need to contact that separate agency to understand whether an additional credential is required.

Nevada is not a member of the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact (RCIC). A full Nevada Practitioner of Respiratory Care license is required to practice here regardless of compact membership elsewhere.

Nevada PRC Licensure Requirements

NBRC Certification

Nevada requires current NBRC certification as a condition of licensure. Form 2 (NBRC Certification) must be completed and sent directly from NBRC to the Board — an applicant-submitted copy is not acceptable. The Board’s application materials reference “NBRC certification” generally and do not specify CRT versus RRT as the required credential level. Contact the Board at (775) 688-2559 to confirm which specific NBRC credential currently satisfies Nevada requirements before applying. Source: Nevada Board of Medical Examiners — PRC Forms

Education Verification

Form 1 (Education Verification) must be completed by the applicant’s respiratory therapy school — not by the applicant — and sent directly to the Board. The form verifies completion of a Practitioner of Respiratory Care education program accredited by CoARC, CAAHEP, or their successor organizations. Source: Nevada Board of Medical Examiners — PRC Forms

Criminal Background Check

Pursuant to NRS 630.167, a criminal background investigation is required for all applicants. The Board’s License Specialist will send the authorization form, fingerprint cards, and instructions after the completed application is received. Do not attempt to submit fingerprints before receiving these materials from the Board — the process is initiated on the Board’s end after your application is processed. Source: Nevada Board of Medical Examiners — PRC Forms page

Identity Documentation

Nevada requires specific identity documentation based on citizenship status:

• U.S.-born citizens: Original or certified Birth Certificate with original seal/stamp
• Foreign-born U.S. citizens: Original Certificate of Naturalization or current U.S. Passport
• Non-U.S. citizens with legal status: Copy of both sides of Alien Registration or Employment Authorization card/Visa, plus a foreign passport
• Non-U.S. citizens (other): ITIN and original ITIN assignment letter, plus supporting identity documentation (passport, USCIS, U.S. Military ID, or U.S. State ID)

Endorsement Pathway

Applicants currently licensed in another state may apply by Endorsement. Form 3 (State Certification/Registration Verification) must be sent directly from the other licensing state to the Board. Form 4 (Malpractice Claim Verification) and Form 5 (Hospital Privileges Verification) are also required. All verification forms must be sent directly from the issuing entity — applicant-submitted copies are not acceptable. Source: Nevada Board of Medical Examiners — PRC Forms

Intern License

Nevada statute (NRS 630.515) authorizes a temporary license to practice as an intern in respiratory care. This is available for qualifying applicants who need to practice under supervision before full licensure is issued. Contact the Board at (775) 688-2559 for current intern license eligibility requirements and application process. Source: NRS 630.515

Processing Time

The Nevada Board of Medical Examiners does not publish an official processing timeframe for PRC applications. Contact the Board at (775) 688-2559 for a current estimate before planning your assignment start date.

Nevada offers an expedited license by endorsement for active U.S. Armed Forces members, spouses of active members, veterans, and spouses/surviving spouses of veterans, under NAC 630.513. A separate Military Endorsement Application and Form C are required. Source: Nevada Board of Medical Examiners — Military Endorsement Application

Blood Gas Licenses

The Nevada Board of Medical Examiners’ forms page notes: “Blood gas licenses are issued by the Bureau of Health Care Quality and Compliance. You can contact that agency by calling 775-684-1030.” Contact the Bureau of Health Care Quality and Compliance directly to determine whether your specific job duties require a separate blood gas credential — the Board’s statement indicates a separate licensing authority exists, but does not by itself establish when a PRC must hold that separate license. Source: Nevada Board of Medical Examiners — PRC Forms page (verbatim note)

How to Apply for a Nevada PRC License

1. Visit the Board’s online application portal and complete the Practitioner of Respiratory Care Application for Licensure
2. Download and review the Application Checklist to confirm all required forms
3. Pay the application fee — $360 total for full biennium ($100 application + $185 registration + $75 CBC); by cashier’s check, money order, or credit card (+2.5% fee); no personal or business checks
4. Arrange for NBRC to complete and send Form 2 (NBRC Certification) directly to the Board
5. Arrange for your respiratory therapy school to complete and send Form 1 (Education Verification) directly to the Board
6. If applying by Endorsement: arrange for your current licensing state to send Form 3 (State Certification/Registration Verification) directly to the Board; complete Form 4 (Malpractice Claim Verification) and Form 5 (Hospital Privileges Verification)
7. Submit your identity documentation based on your citizenship status (see requirements above)
8. After your application is received and processed, the Board will send you fingerprint cards, an authorization form, and CBC instructions — complete the background check using those materials
9. Submit Form A (Release) and Form B (List of Malpractice Insurance Carriers) as required

Practical Notes

• The credential is “Practitioner of Respiratory Care” — not RT. Nevada doesn’t call it a Respiratory Therapist license. On Nevada credentialing paperwork, use “Practitioner of Respiratory Care” and your Nevada license number.
• Blood gas work needs a separate license from a different agency. This is one of the more unusual features of Nevada’s licensing structure. If your assignment involves ABGs, call the Bureau of Health Care Quality and Compliance at 775-684-1030 before starting — not the Board of Medical Examiners.
• No personal checks — ever. Nevada’s Board explicitly cannot accept personal or business checks. Bring a cashier’s check or money order, or pay by credit card and budget for the 2.5% processing fee.
• Fingerprint cards come from the Board — wait for them. Don’t go to a fingerprint service before receiving the Board’s authorization form and cards. The Board sends them after your application is received and processed.
• All verifications must come from the source. NBRC sends Form 2 directly. Your school sends Form 1 directly. Your current licensing state sends Form 3 directly. Nothing goes through you.
• No compact means a Nevada license is required before accepting assignments. Nevada is not in the RCIC. Practitioners who do not hold a current Nevada license must apply and receive licensure before beginning any Nevada assignment. Once licensed, the same Nevada license covers multiple assignments as long as it remains active and renewed.

Relevant Statutes and Regulations

• Nevada Board of Medical Examiners — PRC Licensure Forms
• NRS Chapter 630 — Physicians and Related Practitioners (including PRC provisions)
• NAC Chapter 630 — Administrative Regulations

Related Pages

• Nevada Practitioner of Respiratory Care License Renewal Guide
• Respiratory Care Practitioner Licensing by State — Complete Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Nevada license to practice respiratory care in Nevada?

Yes. Nevada law requires licensure as a Practitioner of Respiratory Care to practice respiratory care. This is governed under NRS Chapter 630. Source: NRS Chapter 630

What are the fees to apply for a Nevada PRC license?

The total fee for a full biennium is $360: a $100 application fee, $185 biennial registration fee, and $75 criminal background check fee. For applicants licensed in the second half of the biennium, the total is $267.50 ($100 + $92.50 + $75). Payment by cashier’s check, money order, or credit card (plus a 2.5% non-refundable processing fee); personal and business checks are not accepted. Source: Nevada Board of Medical Examiners — Licensure Fees

What NBRC credential is required for Nevada licensure?

Nevada requires current NBRC certification, verified via Form 2 sent directly from NBRC to the Board. The Board’s application materials do not specify CRT versus RRT as the required credential level. Contact the Board at (775) 688-2559 to confirm current credential requirements before applying. No separate Nevada state examination is required. Source: Nevada Board of Medical Examiners — PRC Forms

Do I need a separate license for blood gas analysis in Nevada?

The Nevada Board of Medical Examiners states that blood gas licenses are issued by the Bureau of Health Care Quality and Compliance rather than the Board — contact that agency at 775-684-1030 to determine whether your specific job duties require a separate blood gas credential. Source: Nevada Board of Medical Examiners — PRC Forms page

Does Nevada participate in the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact?

Nevada has not enacted the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact (RCIC) as of June 2026. Compact privileges from other RCIC member states do not apply in Nevada. Verify current RCIC membership status at respiratorycarecompact.org.