Respiratory Care - FAQ

The approximate core class schedule for the first year is Tuesday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. The approximate core class schedule for the second year is Monday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. and the clinical schedule is any other day of the week, including weekends. Typical clinical shifts are 12 hours, day or night shifts.

In order to get licensed in the State of Oregon as a registered respiratory therapist you will have to provide proof of high school completion. We have determined we should confirm you have a high school degree (or GED® equivalent) at the time of admission so that you do not run into any problems getting licensed after you graduate.

If you will be graduating from high school the same year you are applying, we will accept a letter from your high school stating you are on track to graduate that spring along with a transcript which shows you are in your last year of high school. In the event you are accepted to the program it will be contingent upon receiving the final transcript showing your high school degree earned. If you are unable to supply this by the date listed in your acceptance letter, your acceptance will be revoked.

Students that received their high school diploma or attended a foreign college institution will need to have the transcripts evaluated by one of our approved credential services. See more information on transcripts and student records. The evaluated transcript must be submitted by the application deadline for the program. This process should be started very early on. Once you turn in your evaluated transcript from the credential services, our process could take up to six weeks.

Students are required to meet all health and safety requirements established by affiliate health care facilities and by the college. These requirements include annual training, immunizations, tuberculosis screening, drug and alcohol testing, and criminal background check. Students will be advised of the requirements and timeline for completion upon acceptance into the program. It is the responsibility of the students to provide documentation and maintain currency. Students who are not in compliance will be unable to attend clinical practicum. Please note, this drug screening may also check for prescription drugs that contain amphetamines, barbiturates, opioids, benzodiazepines, and marijuana. If you are taking any prescribed medication that may contain these drugs you will need to meet with the program director before completing the drug screen. Even though marijuana use is legal in Oregon and Washington, since it is not legal federally, hospitals and clinical sites will not allow it, and you will fail your drug screen if it shows up.

The mandatory orientation is held for accepted students in late spring / early summer each year. If you have an extenuating circumstance that makes it so you are unable to attend, please reach out to the program faculty beforehand to see if an exception can be made. A “no show, no call” will forfeit your position in the program, and a waitlisted candidate will be given your assigned place in the program.

Graduates of the program are able to sit for the national credentialing examinations administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC). The graduates are eligible to take the Therapist Multiple Choice (TMC) certification examination for entry-level therapist / certified respiratory therapist (CRT), the Clinical Simulation Exam for Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT), and other specialty credential exams such as certification in pulmonary function technology (CPFT) and neonatal and pediatric specialist (NPS). Examination information can be found on the NBRC website or by contacting them at 913-599-4200. Almost all states require successful completion of the TMC examination as part of the state license requirement. Oregon and Washington require successful completion of the NBRC's RRT exam to satisfy the requirements for a regular license to practice.