RT Professional Practice

New graduates from an accredited program in a non-regulated jurisdiction are automatically eligible for the first write attempt at the HPTC entry-to-practice respiratory therapy exam. New graduates who have failed their first attempt at the HPTC exam, must have their eligibility for subsequent attempts verified by the CSRT before they write the entry-to-practice respiratory therapy HPTC exam.

Any other candidate from non-regulated Canadian jurisdictions wishing to attempt the HPTC National Certification Examination must have their eligibility verified by the CSRT before they write the exam.

a) Candidates who completed their education at a Canadian institution must:

i. Have successfully completed the education program from an Accreditation Canada (or the Council on Accreditation for Respiratory Therapy Education (CoARTE) prior to September 1, 2019) accredited education program in respiratory therapy.

ii. Be a member in good standing with the CSRT (either a Student or Associate member as the case may be). A membership application is available in the membership section of the CSRT web site.

iii. Complete the exam application and pay the prescribed fees as required by the HPTC.

NOTE for individuals who want to practice in regulated provinces (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland/Labrador, Prince Edward Island): Individuals who plan to move to a province where the profession is regulated must contact the appropriate regulatory body for their specific requirements to work in that province. Contact information is available on the CSRT website .

b) Candidates who completed their education at an institution in the United States (respiratory therapy program) must:

i. Provide proof of having an RRT credential from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).

ii. Want to practice in non-regulated jurisdictions (British Columbia and the Territories).

iii. Be a member of the CSRT at the time you write the exam. An RRT (NBRC) candidate may join the CSRT as an Associate Member. A membership application is available in the membership section of the CSRT web site.

c) Candidates who have graduated from an international program in respiratory therapy:

i. As the CSRT does not currently provide a process for evaluation of competency and educational equivalency, graduates of international respiratory therapy programs are not eligible to attempt the Health Professionals Testing Canada (HPTC) national certification exam for the purposes of obtaining the CSRT RRT credential.

a) An application for the Canadian entry-to-practice respiratory therapy examination must be submitted to the Health Professionals Testing Canada (HPTC). Applications must be received within all published timelines. Please refer to the HPTC Information Manual for details, fees and deadlines.

b) An application to become a member of the CSRT must be received at the office of CSRT located at 201-2460 Lancaster Rd., Ottawa, ON K1B 4S5 prior to any published deadlines associated with application to the approved exam corporation. Membership application can also be completed on the CSRT web site.

a) Once eligibility has been determined, the candidate must make the first attempt at writing the HPTC entry-to-practice respiratory therapy examination within eighteen (18) months of their Graduation from an Accreditation Canada (or the Council on Accreditation for Respiratory Therapy Education (CoARTE) prior to September 1, 2019) accredited Respiratory Therapy program.

b) Candidates who have failed their first attempt at the HPTC national entry-to-practice respiratory therapy examination are no longer classified as Student members of the CSRT at membership renewal time. Membership status switches to that of Associate on March 31 following their first attempt, at the dues prescribed for that category.

c) Successful completion of the HPTC entry-to-practice respiratory therapy examination must be made within three (3) years of graduation from a CoARTE accredited Respiratory Therapy program. Candidates are permitted up to three (3) attempts to write the exam.

d) A candidate who does not successfully complete the HPTC National Certification Examination within three (3) years, or who does not successfully pass the exam after three (3) attempts, will no longer be eligible to write the examination.

e) To be eligible for the HPTC entry-to-practice respiratory therapy exam after three (3) failed attempts, a candidate must repeat their education at a Respiratory Therapy Program offered by an Accreditation Canada (or the Council on Accreditation for Respiratory Therapy Education (CoARTE) prior to September 1, 2019) accredited Respiratory Therapy program. In order to meet this requirement, the repeated education must ensure achievement of all learning objectives, assessment mechanisms, and progression standards (in both the didactic and clinical settings) of the accredited program. The program must culminate in conferral of the relevant program credential (e.g. diploma or bachelors degree), or equivalent outcome as confirmed by the institutions registrar’s office and approved by the CSRT.

Once the repeated education has been successfully completed, an individual is eligible for three (3) attempts at the HPTC entry-to-practice respiratory therapy exam within a three (3) year period following the second graduation as outlined above.

An individual that does not meet the above criteria may make a special request in writing to the CSRT Board of Directors for special permission to attempt the HPTC entry-to-practice respiratory therapy examination.