​Statement on Support for Respiratory Therapists (RTs)

Developed By: Committee on Respiratory Care
Last Amended: October 18, 2023 (original approval: October 17, 2001)

Respiratory Therapy is a highly specialized allied health profession requiring a minimum of an Associate Degree for entry into the field.  Respiratory therapists (RTs) are trained to care for patients under the guidance and direction of a qualified medical director in various clinical settings, including home care, subacute care, as well as specialty or general-care hospitals.  Patients under their care may include a disproportionately sicker population than may be the case for most other allied health practitioners since RTs often have responsibility for the control of life support equipment (mechanical ventilators) in critically ill patients.  RTs also play an indispensable role in the coordination and quality control of respiratory care services in these multiple settings.

RTs undergo unique and rigorous formalized training in respiratory programs adhering to the national Accreditation Standards for the Profession of Respiratory Care as established by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC). Their competence is validated by the nationally accredited testing system of the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).

ASA remains deeply concerned about reports that other caregivers may be delivering respiratory care services in some clinics, hospitals or other healthcare settings without validation of their competency.  The standard of care for patients could be compromised unless these other individuals receive extensive education, training and competency testing similar to that required of credentialed respiratory therapists.

ASA strongly supports NBRC-credentialed respiratory therapists using physician-approved, patient-driven respiratory care protocols that provide the highest quality, safest and most efficacious respiratory care under the direction of knowledgeable physicians. ASA further believes that respiratory care delivered in intensive care units, emergency rooms, skilled nursing facilities, patients’ homes, outpatient departments and doctors’ offices is best delivered by professional respiratory therapists who are graduates of the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) approved respiratory programs, with competency tested by validated NBRC examinations.  In addition, ASA does not support delegation of respiratory care to unlicensed and/or assistive personnel.