State Board of Respiratory Care

Disclaimer: Any and all statements herein should not be construed as official policy or positions of the New Jersey State Board of Respiratory Care ( Board). The information is merely provided on our site by Board staff for general guidance to the citizens of New Jersey and users of our website. No individual staff member is authorized to provide a binding opinion or statement for the full Board. Nothing herein should be construed as legal advice or as a legal opinion for any particular situation. Refer to the Laws and Regulations of the New Jersey State Board of Respiratory Care and consult an attorney of your choice for clarification.

It is recommended that you do not accept an offer to practice respiratory care in New Jersey UNTIL you have met all the necessary requirements for licensure, and have been advised by the Board that you are eligible to receive a respiratory care license.

General Questions

1. How do I obtain an application for a Respiratory Care license?

   The quickest and easiest way to obtain an application for a respiratory care is by downloading the forms from our website at www.njconsumeraffairs.gov Click on A-Z, Click on R - Click on Respiratory Care Practitioners, and then click on Application. A request for an application for respiratory care may also be requested in writing by submitting the following information: your name and mailing address, or by contacting the Board directly at (973) 504-6485 and requesting an application by phone.

2. Must I be a citizen of the United States to be eligible for licensure?

   No. New Jersey State law allows for all individuals, regardless of citizenship status, to obtain a professional or occupational license in New Jersey if all requirements for licensure are met. Individuals with undocumented status are eligible for licensure and a social security number is not required for licensure.

3. How long does it take to get my New Jersey Respiratory Care license?

   Absent any complicating factors, the average application process takes approximately four (4) to six (6) weeks to complete. Once your application is complete, your file will be reviewed and an initial determination will be made. You will be notified in writing when your application is approved.

4. If some of my documents have not received by the Board office, what should I do?

   In most cases, the only thing to do is to follow-up with your primary source verifiers to find out if missing documentation has been sent to the Board. An application is considered complete when all the application pages, primary source documentation, and criminal screenings have been conducted.

5. I have a job offer and need a Respiratory Care certificate immediately. What should I do?

   The application process takes approximately four (4) to six (6) weeks to complete. In the application instructions, applicants are informed NOT TO ACCEPT EMPLOYMENT until they receive their New Jersey Respiratory Care License. The Board must stress to you that it is highly recommended that YOU DO NOT ACCEPT an offer of employment in New Jersey UNTIL you have met all the necessary requirements for licensure and have been notified in writing of your approval for a respiratory care license.  

6. I am scheduled to complete my training program in June of next year. When should I apply for my New Jersey RCP license?

   Applications for a New Jersey Respiratory Care Professional license remain active for one- year only. Therefore, you should not apply for licensure with the New Jersey State Board until sixty (60) days prior to completing an accredited respiratory program.

7. Does an application for a New Jersey Respiratory Care license have an expiration date?

   YES. Applications for a New Jersey Respiratory Care License remain active for a biennial period on even year. If you applied for a respiratory care license and were not issued a permanent license within 12 months from the date of receipt, you must reapply by submitting a new application, with your most current information, in addition to an licensure fee. We will not simply "reactivate" your old application.

8. I have decided not to move to New Jersey and I want to withdraw my application. What should I do? Is my application fee refundable?

   No. The application fee of $125.00, is non-refundable. If you decide during the application process that you would like to withdraw your application, it is necessary for you to put this request in writing, sign and date the request and give a brief explanation as to why you would like to withdraw your application. Also, submit copies of the front and back of the cancelled check/money order.

9. What does "primary source verification" mean?

   The Board of Respiratory Care verifies all applicant information as "primary source" verification. This means that the information must be received DIRECTLY from the issuing source. Please refer to the application instructions for additional information on what primary source documentation is acceptable by the applicant.

10. Are there Continuing Education Requirements for re-certification of my permanent respiratory care license?

    YES. On or before the expiration date for the biennial renewal of licenses, all license holders, if audited, must furnish certificates of successful completion of programs, courses or seminars offered or approved by the New Jersey Society for Respiratory Care or the American Association for Respiratory Care; One continuing education credit for each course credit awarded. Each license holder must complete thirty (30) continuing education credits, in programs permitted under N.J.A.C.13:44F-10.2, as follows: (1)At least one continuing education credit in infection control; (2) At least one continuing education credit in patient safety/medical errors; (3) At least one continuing education credit in ethics; (4) At least 20 continuing education credits in other respiratory care clinical practices; and (5) any remaining credits in any health care related field.

11. How do personal data questions affect my application?

    A ("yes' answer) affirmative response to a personal data question or the existence of a criminal conviction does not automatically prohibit the Board from issuing a license. 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.

12. Should I apply for a temporary license?

    If you are a new graduate and are only waiting to take the examination administered by the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC) or its successor, you may apply for a temporary license. The temporary license is valid for six months unless the temporary license holder can demonstrate undue hardship to the Board. You may take the examination as many times as needed during the six month period. The temporary license shall expire six months from the date of issuance and is not renewable. The cost of a temporary license is $40.00.

13. I am nationally certified, do I need to be licensed in New Jersey to practice?

    Yes. Certification by the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC) does not constitute licensure by the State of New Jersey. You must contact the Board to complete the licensure process for permanent licensure.

Continuing Education Credits Questions

1. What requirements are different for this first one-year (half biennial period) versus future two-year biennial periods as stated in regulations?

   The CE credit requirements are less. For this first one-year period ending March 31, 2008, only 15 CE credits are required with at least 10 of these credits pertaining to respiratory care and 5 in any healthcare related topics. The specific CE credit topics of ethics, infection control, and patient safety/medical errors are not required this period.

2. Does the 5 CE credits carry-over provision apply to this period?

   Yes. You may carry over 5 CE credits taken between March 5, 2006 and March 5, 2007. Thereafter, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 13:44F-10.1(d), a licensee who completes credits hours in excess of the 30 credits required may apply no more than five of those credits to the continuing education requirement for the following biennial period only, so long as those additional credits were completed within one year prior to the end of the biennial licensing period.

3. How many CE credits do I get for the ACLS, PALS, & NPS courses?

   Pursuant to N.J.A.C.13:44F-10.2(a)3, successful completion of any certification or recertification course approved by the American Heart Association in Pediatric Advanced Cardiac Life Support (PALS) or Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) or approved by the American Academy of Pediatrics in Neonatal Resuscitation Protocol (NPR): one continuing education credit for each instructional hour awarded, with a maximum of 12 credits per biennial licensure period.

4. Do I get any credits for teaching BCLS, ACLS courses, or clinical rotations?

   No.

5. Is an in-service course approved by my hospital acceptable?

   No. Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 13:44F-10.2(a)1, successful completion of programs, courses or seminars offered or approved by the New Jersey Society for Respiratory Care or the American Association for Respiratory Care are acceptable. One continuing education credit for each course credit awarded.

6. Do I have to keep records of my CE credits?

   Yes. Pursuant to N.J.A.C.13:44F-10.3(a)2, a licensee shall maintain all evidence of verification of continuing education requirements for two full biennial licensing periods after completion of the credits and submit such documentation to the Board upon request.

7. What type of documentation do I need if am audited?

   Pursuant to N.J.A.C.13:44F10.3(a)3 I-v, a licensee shall provide to the Board upon request, documentation of the licensee's completion of continuing education requirements as follows:

   1. For programs, courses and seminars: the course provider's written verification of attendance. The Board may request course content, title, objective and number of CE hour/per course, as part of the verification of continuing education.

   2. For college courses: an official transcript;

   3. For articles published in a peer-reviewed professional journal: the published article;

   4. For authored textbooks or manuals: the textbook or manual; and

   5. For videotaped, internet and other distance learning courses: written verification from the course provider.
   
   

8. Does this same documentation apply to the five (5) carry-over CE credits taken in the previous renewal period?

   Yes. Documentation of the licensee's completion of continuing education requirements pursuant to N.J.A.C. 10.3(a)3 I-v, is required.

9. Can I use the exact same CE credits from courses, which were counted towards the total in the previous renewal period for my carry-over CE credits in the next period?

   No. Clinical respiratory care for the purposes of continuing education include topics or courses that addresses the administration of patient care, therapy and testing consistent with the scope of practice.