Part II. Requirements for Licensure As a Respiratory Therapist
18VAC85-40-40. Initial licensure requirements.
An applicant for initial licensure shall submit the following on forms provided by the board:
1. A completed application and a fee as prescribed in 18VAC85-40-35.
2. Verification of professional education in respiratory care as required in 18VAC85-40-45.
3. Verification of practice as required on the application form.
4. Evidence of passage of the national examination as required in 18VAC85-40-50.
5. Verification that there has been no disciplinary action taken or pending in any other jurisdiction.
Statutory Authority
§§ 54.1-2400 and 54.1-2912.1 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR465-04-01 § 2.1, eff. February 14, 1990; amended, Virginia Register Volume 8, Issue 25, eff. October 8, 1992; Volume 14, Issue 21, eff. August 5, 1998; Volume 16, Issue 7, eff. January 19, 2000; Volume 19, Issue 19, eff. July 2, 2003; Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. September 26, 2013; Volume 32, Issue 1, eff. October 7, 2015; Volume 43, Issue 1, eff. September 23, 2026.
18VAC85-40-45. Educational requirements for initial licensure.
An applicant for initial licensure shall:
1. Be a graduate of an accredited educational program for respiratory therapists; or
2. Hold current credentialing as a Certified Respiratory Therapist or a Registered Respiratory Therapist from the NBRC or any other credentialing body determined by the board to be equivalent.
Statutory Authority
§§ 54.1-2400 and 54.1-2912.1 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 16, Issue 7, eff. January 19, 2000; amended, Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 19, eff. July 2, 2003; Volume 32, Issue 1, eff. October 7, 2015; Volume 43, Issue 1, eff. September 23, 2026.
18VAC85-40-50. Examination requirements for initial licensure.
An applicant for an initial license to practice as a licensed respiratory therapist shall submit to the board evidence that the applicant has passed the NBRC entry level examination for respiratory care, or its equivalent as approved by the board.
Statutory Authority
§§ 54.1-2400 and 54.1-2912.1 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR465-04-01 § 2.2, eff. February 14, 1990; amended, Virginia Register Volume 8, Issue 25, eff. October 8, 1992; Volume 14, Issue 21, eff. August 5, 1998; Volume 16, Issue 7, eff. January 19, 2000; Volume 19, Issue 19, eff. July 2, 2003; Volume 32, Issue 1, eff. October 7, 2015; Volume 43, Issue 1, eff. September 23, 2026.
18VAC85-40-51. Licensure by endorsement.
An applicant for licensure by endorsement shall submit the following:
1. Evidence of a current, active license in a United States jurisdiction or Canada that is in good standing;
2. A completed application and fee;
3. Verification of a professional credential as a Certified Respiratory Therapist or Registered Respiratory Therapist from the NBRC; and
4. A current report from the National Practitioner Data Bank.
Statutory Authority
§ 54.1-2400 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 43, Issue 1, eff. September 23, 2026.
18VAC85-40-55. Registration for voluntary practice by out-of-state licensees.
Any respiratory therapist who does not hold a license to practice in Virginia and who seeks registration to practice under subdivision 27 of § 54.1-2901 of the Code of Virginia on a voluntary basis under the auspices of a publicly supported, all volunteer, nonprofit organization that sponsors the provision of health care to populations of underserved people shall:
1. File a complete application for registration on a form provided by the board at least five business days prior to engaging in such practice. An incomplete application will not be considered;
2. Provide a complete record of professional licensure in each state in which he has held a license and a copy of any current license;
3. Provide the name of the nonprofit organization, the dates and location of the voluntary provision of services;
4. Pay a registration fee of $10; and
5. Provide a notarized statement from a representative of the nonprofit organization attesting to its compliance with provisions of subdivision 27 of § 54.1-2901 of the Code of Virginia.
Statutory Authority
§§ 54.1-2400 and 54.1-2912.1 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 18, eff. June 18, 2003; amended, Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 24, eff. September 3, 2008; Volume 32, Issue 1, eff. October 7, 2015.