Respiratory Therapy
License Requirements

Pennsylvania Respiratory Therapy CE Requirements

30 Hours every 2 years - Total CE requirement for license renewal

• Total Requirement: 30 contact hours of acceptable continuing education are required every renewal period.
• Traditional/Live Hours: A minimum of 10 hours must be obtained through traditional methods. This includes classroom lectures, clinical presentations, or real-time webcasts where a presenter is involved and interaction is possible.
• Online/Self-Study Hours: A maximum of 20 hours can be non-traditional or self-study (e.g., recorded webinars, journal articles).
• Child Abuse Requirement: You must complete 2 hours in Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting. This course must be from a provider specifically approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.
• Patient Safety: You must complete at least 1 hour in Patient Safety.
• Medical Ethics: You must complete at least 1 hour in Medical Ethics.
• Opioid Education: While not always strictly mandated for every renewal unless you have prescriptive authority (which RTs do not), keeping up with current pain management and opioid addiction trends is highly encouraged by the Board.

Pennsylvania License Renewal Process

1. Expiration Date: Licenses expire on December 31st of every even-numbered year (e.g., 2024, 2026).
2. Renewal Window: Renewal notices are typically mailed 60-90 days prior to the expiration date.
3. Online System: Renewal is completed through the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS).
4. Fees: The biennial renewal fee is approximately $25.00 - $30.00. Late renewals will incur penalty fees.
5. Credential Verification: You must maintain your NBRC credentials (CRT or RRT) to be eligible for renewal.
6. Audit: The Board conducts random audits. You must retain your CE certificates for at least four years (two renewal cycles) to prove compliance if audited.

Additional Information for Pennsylvania

• Child Abuse Course Provider: Do not take a generic child abuse course; it must be one that electronically submits your completion directly to the PA State Board (e.g., University of Pittsburgh offers a free approved course).
• Extension Requests: Extensions are rarely granted and only for specific extenuating circumstances (e.g., active military deployment, serious illness). Work conflicts or financial hardship are not accepted reasons.
• Reactivation: If your license has been expired for less than 5 years, you can reactivate it by paying past fees and showing proof of CEUs. If expired for more than 5 years, you may need to retake the licensing exam.