Exam Comparison
CRT vs RRT
Comparing the NBRC Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) and the NBRC Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT). Both fall under Allied Health & Medicine. Both are covered by the Allied Health Exam Prep app.
The Bottom Line
These are two rungs of one ladder, earned through the same NBRC exam: the TMC’s lower cut score grants the CRT; the higher cut score qualifies you for the Clinical Simulation Exam, which grants the RRT. The RRT is the hiring standard now, treat the CRT as a waypoint, not a destination.
CRT vs RRT: At a Glance
| Detail | CRT | RRT |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | NBRC Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) | NBRC Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) |
| Governing Body | NBRC | NBRC |
| Number of Questions | , | , |
| Time Limit | , | , |
| Passing Score | , | , |
| Exam Fee | , | , |
| Category | Allied Health & Medicine | Allied Health & Medicine |
| C3RT App | Allied Health Exam Prep Soon | Allied Health Exam Prep Soon |
Content Areas Compared
CRT Domains
- Patient Data Evaluation and Recommendations(30%)
- Troubleshooting and Quality Control(18%)
- Initiation and Modification of Interventions(52%)
- Patient Education and Special Populations
RRT Domains
- Patient Data Evaluation and Recommendations(26%)
- Troubleshooting and Quality Control(16%)
- Initiation and Modification of Interventions(58%)
- Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between CRT and RRT?
Both credentials flow from the NBRC’s Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) exam, which has two cut scores. Meeting the lower one earns the CRT (Certified Respiratory Therapist); meeting the higher one earns CSE eligibility, and passing the Clinical Simulation Exam, branching patient-management scenarios, completes the RRT (Registered Respiratory Therapist). The RRT signals advanced clinical judgment, and most hospitals now require or strongly prefer it; many states also tie full licensure practically to the RRT pathway.
Can I take both the CRT and the RRT?
The RRT includes and supersedes the CRT, everyone with an RRT passed through CRT-level qualification. The only long-term CRT-holders are those who have not yet cleared the CSE; if that is you, prioritize the retake: the credential gap increasingly maps to a pay and hiring gap.
Which should I take first, CRT or RRT?
Fixed by design: TMC first, aiming explicitly for the high cut score, then the CSE as soon as your program’s case-management skills are fresh, CSE pass rates favor recent graduates. Settling for the CRT cut score and delaying means retaking the TMC at the high cut later, which is the expensive route.
Does C3RT cover both the CRT and the RRT?
C3RT is building apps for both the CRT and the RRT. Both will be available on iOS and Mac.
The NBRC Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) (CRT) is administered by NBRC. The NBRC Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) (RRT) is administered by NBRC. C3RT is not affiliated with either organisation. Certification names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.