General | Application and Renewal | Continuing Education | Examination
General
- What is the process for having a verification of my Washington respiratory therapy license sent to another jurisdiction?
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Submit a written request and a check or money order made payable to:
Department of Health
Respiratory Care Practitioner Program
P.O. Box 1099
Olympia, WA 98507-1099 - How much is my renewal fee?
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Fee information is on the licensing information webpage.
- Are students allowed to practice under the student exemption?
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Students currently enrolled in an educational program and obtaining experience to meet their graduation requirements are still exempt from licensure under RCW 18.89.040(2)(c).
Application and Renewal
- How much is the application fee?
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Fee information is on the licensing information webpage.
- How long does the application process take?
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Current processing times are on the application status webpage.
- If I have a student-issued transcript, may I send that with my application?
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No. All required documentation must be sent directly from the issuing institution to:
Department of Health
Respiratory Care Practitioner Program
P.O. Box 47877
Olympia, WA 98504-7877 - How do personal data questions affect my application?
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A "yes" answer to a personal data question or the existence of a criminal conviction doesn't automatically prohibit the department from issuing a credential. If you answer "yes" on any of the personal data questions or if criminal history appears on a criminal background check, your file will be evaluated on an individual basis. The application now becomes an exception file and the normal application processing time does not apply.
- Should I apply for a temporary practice permit?
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There are two different situations concerning temporary practice and permits:
- If you are an out-of-state applicant who is or has been credentialed as a respiratory therapist in another state, you may qualify for a temporary practice permit. This permit is granted to those who meet all of the required qualifications.
- If you're a spouse or registered domestic partner of military personnel transferring to Washington State, you may receive your respiratory care practitioner (RCP) license more quickly. In order for us to do this, please complete the additional form found on the military resources webpage and include supporting documentation with your application.
*Specific requirements are included in the Respiratory Care License Application Packet
- If I'm licensed in another state, may I begin practicing once you have my application?
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No. You must have a valid Washington respiratory therapy license before practicing as a respiratory therapist.
- I'm nationally certified, do I need to be licensed in Washington to practice?
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Yes. No person may practice or represent themselves as a respiratory care practitioner without first applying for and receiving from the department a license to practice.
- What if I didn't receive my renewal notice?
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The renewal notice is a courtesy reminder. You must renew your license on or before the date of expiration with or without a renewal notice. The expiration for all credentials is the practitioner's birthday. You may call our Customer Service Center at 360-236-4700 to verify that the correct address is on record. If your address has changed, you may change your address using this form (PDF).
Continuing Education
- How many continuing education hours am I required to report and when?
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Visit the respiratory care practitioner continuing education (CE) webpage to learn about requirements and regulations.
Examination
- What are the new examination requirements enacted in the 2021 legislation?
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As of July 1, 2022, all applicants for the RCP license must pass both the therapist multiple choice examination and the clinical simulation examination. This change is consistent with the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC) requirement to be a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) rather than a Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT).
- How will the new rules affect graduates who must take the clinical simulation exam?
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This depends on the individual and whether they can take both the multiple-choice examination and the clinical simulation examination on the same day. If they can take both tests at once, the examination and application process won’t take any extra time. If they take the exams separately, it will take longer for the department to get the results of both examinations.
- Do current RCPs need to meet the new examination requirements?
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No. An individual currently licensed as a Respiratory Care Practitioner in Washington state does not need to meet the new examination requirements to maintain their license. Some employers may require individual RCPs to meet the new examination requirement as a condition of employment.
- Do RCPs who have let their license lapse need to meet the new exam requirements?
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No. If an individual has been previously licensed as a Respiratory Care Practitioner in Washington state but has let their license lapse, they do not need to meet the new examination requirements to reactivate the license.
- Do the 2022 rule changes allow students to practice while waiting to take the exam?
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No, the new graduate exemption was removed by the legislation. New graduates cannot practice as a respiratory care practitioner until they have an active license.