What are the admission requirements for the Clinical Simulation Examination?
Please ensure you meet the following requirements before applying for the Clinical Simulation Examination:
1. Be a CRT and have successfully completed the Therapist Written Examination (WRRT) on or before December 31, 2014; OR Be a CRT and have successfully completed the TMC Examination by achieving the high cut score on or after January 2015.
and
2. Be a graduate of and have a minimum of an associate degree from a respiratory therapy education program supported or accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).
or
3. Be a CRT for at least four years and have at least 62 semester hours of college credit from a college or university accredited by its regional association or its equivalent. The 62 semester hours of college credit must include the following courses: anatomy and physiology, chemistry, microbiology, and mathematics.
or
4. Be a CRT for at least two years and have earned a minimum of an associate degree froma respiratory therapy education program supported or accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).
or
5. Be a CRT for at least two years and have earned a baccalaureate degree in an area other than respiratory care and shall have at least 62 semester hours of college credit from a college or university accredited by its regional association or equivalent. The 62 semester hours of college credit must include the following courses: anatomy and physiology, chemistry, microbiology, and mathematics.
or
6. Hold the Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists (CSRT) RRT credential.
What is the application process, and how long does it take?
You may apply online or submit a paper application and fee once you have met the admission requirements.
If applying and paying by credit card online, your application is processed immediately. If mailing your application and fee, your application will be processed within approximately five to seven business days. An email confirmation notice of eligibility will be sent to you, which includes a website and toll-free telephone number for you to contact to schedule an examination appointment.
If your eligibility cannot be confirmed, you will be notified by email of the additional information required to complete your application.
What are the examination fees?
The CSE costs $200 for both new and repeat applicants.
Are any examination fee discounts offered?
Yes, AARC MEMBERS are eligible for a one-time, $40 discount when applying for the first time for the following NBRC examinations:
– CSE
– PFT
– NPS
– SDS
– ACCS
You must register for the AARC Member Discount through the AARC website here. AARC will send an email after registering for the discount containing instructions about accessing the NBRC’s online examination application. You must begin the application process from the link in the instructions you receive from the AARC by email. The discount must be used at the time you submit your application and payment and will not be retroactively applied.
When is the application deadline?
There are no application deadlines. If you meet the admissions requirements for an examination you may submit your application and fee at any time.
What if I don’t receive an email confirming my eligibility?
If you don’t receive an email confirmation of eligibility or an incomplete notice within two weeks of submitting your application, contact the NBRC. If your application is not on file, you will be asked to send a replacement application form and fee.
When and where are NBRC examinations administered?
NBRC examinations are administered Monday through Saturday at more than 300 assessment centers across the country (except on nationally recognized holidays). Search for an assessment center near you.
Can I schedule my examination online?
Yes. If you are approved to take an examination and paid the appropriate fee, you may schedule online.
Is a free practice examination available?
A free CSE practice examinationis available so you may familiarize yourself with the content and types of questions that will be included on the credentialing exam.
ATTENTION – By accessing this examination, you agree not to reproduce, distribute, disclose, offer for sale, or sell any portion of these copyrighted National Board for Respiratory Care, Inc. materials in any format. Failure to comply with these terms may result in disciplinary action by the National Board for Respiratory Care, Inc. including loss of your credential, losing your ability to retake an examination, and/or legal action related to copyright infringement.
Is a Self-Assessment Examination available?
If you are assessing your preparedness for the Clinical Simulation Examination and feel you need more guidance than the free practice exam, there is a Self-Assessment Examination (SAE) available for purchase.
ATTENTION – By accessing this examination, you agree not to reproduce, distribute, disclose, offer for sale, or sell any portion of these copyrighted National Board for Respiratory Care, Inc. materials in any format. Failure to comply with these terms may result in disciplinary action by the National Board for Respiratory Care, Inc. including loss of your credential, losing your ability to retake an examination, and/or legal action related to copyright infringement.
How much testing time is given to complete the Clinical Simulation Examination?
The testing time for the CSE is four hours.
What content will be included on the Clinical Simulation Examination?
To begin your preparation in an informed and organized manner, you should know what to expect from the actual examination in terms of content areas tested. The detailed content outlines present the specific patient care settings and each of the content areas. The outlines can be used to get a general impression of the examination, and with closer inspection, can give you specific study direction. For example, you can determine the relative importance of each content area on the examination by reviewing the number of questions in each section.
CSE Detailed Content Outline – effective 1-2020
When will I receive my test scores?
You will receive information about your score after completing the examination.
Do I have to wait between attempts of the examination?
As indicated in the table below, candidates may attempt the Therapist Multiple-Choice and Clinical Simulation Examinations three times, after which the candidate will be required to wait a minimum of 120 days between any subsequent attempt. For the specialty credentialing examinations, including Pulmonary Function Technology, Neonatal/Pediatric Specialty, Sleep Disorders Specialty, and Adult Critical Care Specialty Examinations, candidates may attempt the exam two times, after which the candidate will be required to wait at least 180 days before sitting for the exam again.
Examination | Initial Attempts Without Waiting | Days Between Each Subsequent Attempt |
Therapist Multiple-Choice | 3 | 120 |
Clinical Simulation | 3 | 120 |
Pulmonary Function Technology | 2 | 180 |
Neonatal/Pediatric Specialty | 2 | 180 |
Sleep Disorders Specialty | 2 | 180 |
Adult Critical Care Specialty | 2 | 180 |
As the respiratory profession continues to grow and flourish, we feel this is an important and necessary policy to implement in order to ensure caregiver competency and patient safety for years to come.
What is the NBRC’s Record Retention Policy?
When you apply for an examination, your eligibility records are maintained for one year following application regardless of whether or not you schedule an exam. If you don’t actively pursue credentialing, your eligibility records are inactivated after one year. If you are a candidate whose records are inactivated, you must reapply as a new candidate and meet the most current admissions requirements to be eligible for the exam. Please note: if you have passed one of the examinations to earn the RRT Credential (TMC or CSE) and allow your application records to become inactivated, your passing performance will be nullified, so we encourage you to pursue credentialing in a timely manner after applying and receiving a confirmation of eligibility notice.
To support you through the entire process, we are committed to providing appropriate notices to candidates before their application records are inactivated, so we also encourage you to keep your contact information current with the NBRC.
Does passing the TMC Examination at the high cut score automatically mean I’m eligible for the CSE?
No. You must meet the CSE eligibility requirements, regardless of examination score.
I have already passed one portion of the RRT Examination. What do I do now?
If you passed the Therapist Written Examination (WRRT) prior to January 1, 2015, you are eligible for the CSE. If you passed the CSE but not the Therapist Written Examination (WRRT), you must take the TMC exam and pass at the high cut score to earn the RRT credential.
I‘m a CRT and didn’t graduate with an Associates Degree. Can I apply for the CSE?
Yes. You must satisfy one of the following CRT-to-Registry admission requirements:
- Be a CRT for at least four years prior to applying for the examinations associated with the RRT credential. In addition, you must have at least 62 semester hours of college credit from a college or university accredited by its regional association or its equivalent. The 62 semester hours of college credit must include the following courses: anatomy and physiology, chemistry, microbiology, physics, and mathematics.
- Be a CRT for at least two years prior to applying for the examinations associated with the RRT credential. In addition, you must have earned a minimum of an associate degree from an accredited entry-level respiratory careeducation program; or
- Be a CRT for at least two years prior to applying for the examinations associated with the RRT credential. In addition, you must have earned a baccalaureate degree in an area other than respiratory care and have at least 62 semester hours of college credit from a college or university accredited by its regional association or equivalent. The 62 semester hours of college credit must include the following courses: anatomy and physiology, chemistry, mathematics, microbiology, and physics.
If I am applying under the CRT-to-Registry Provision, how do I know if I’ve taken the required courses?
The NBRC offers a CRT-to-Registry transcript evaluation at no charge. To request a CRT-to-Registry evaluation, submit a copy of your college transcripts with a completed CRT-to-Registry Evaluation Form to our office. Do not submit an application or fee since you are only requesting an evaluation of your education. Please allow approximately three weeks for a response to your request.
Please note that an evaluation request with no transcript information attached may result in a significantly delayed response.
