Medical
NBRC RRTRegistered Respiratory Therapist
The NBRC RRT (Registered Respiratory Therapist) credential requires passing both the Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) Examination at the high cut score AND the Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE). RRT is the advanced respiratory therapy credential preferred by hospitals and required by most ICU, ECMO, and adult/neonatal critical-care roles.
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Exam facts
Everything you need to know about the NBRC RRT exam.
- Passing score
- TMC high cut score of 92/140 + pass the CSE (criterion-referenced)
- Format & length
- TMC: 160 questions · 3 hours · then CSE: 22 clinical simulation problems (20 scored) · 4 hours
- Voucher cost
- $190 TMC + $200 CSE (≈$390 total)
- Prerequisites
- Graduation from a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program (most RRT roles require bachelor's-level coursework)
- Validity
- 5 years (Continuing Competency Program: 30 CE hours or pass alternate NBRC exam)
What’s tested
Key topics on the NBRC RRT exam.
The Cert Climb question bank is mapped to every domain on the official NBRC RRT exam blueprint, so what you study is what the test asks.
- Patient Data Evaluation & Recommendations
- Equipment Troubleshooting & Quality Control
- Initiation & Modification of Interventions
- Clinical Decision Making (CSE)
- Information Gathering (CSE)
- Therapeutic Interventions (CSE)
Who it’s for
Built for the people taking this exam.
Respiratory therapists pursuing the gold-standard practice credential. Most US hospitals — particularly academic medical centers and ICUs — hire only RRTs.
Why it matters in 2026
The career signal.
Distinct from CRT: RRT requires the additional Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE), widely considered one of the toughest allied-health board exams (first-attempt pass rate around 62%). RRT is the credential employers preferentially hire for, the only one accepted for advanced specialty exams (NPS, ACCS, SDS), and is increasingly the practical floor for adult/neonatal critical care roles.
What you get
Everything you need to actually pass.
Full question bank
600 questions covering every objective on the official NBRC RRT exam blueprint, with detailed explanations on every option — right and wrong.
Quiz modes
Timed exam simulation, missed-only review, topic drills, and a daily question of the day. Practice the way you study best.
Flashcards
Spaced-repetition flashcards generated from each topic. Pull them up on a phone in the gap between meetings.
Progress tracking
See per-topic accuracy and answered counts. Find weak areas before they cost you on test day.
Per-category premium
Unlocking NBRC RRT unlocks every other Medical exam in the Cert Climb catalog — pay once, stack credentials.
No-fluff explanations
Every wrong answer comes with a 2-3 sentence explanation of why it’s wrong, not just “the correct answer is X.” Pattern recognition is the whole game.
Read while you study
NBRC RRT articles & study guides
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about NBRC RRT
How many questions does the NBRC RRT bank have?
600 questions, organized into 6 subject areas mapped to the official exam objectives.
Is the free trial really free?
Yes. 30 questions, no credit card, no email-trap, no “activate by Friday or pay” spam. You either upgrade because the bank’s good, or you don’t.
What does premium cost?
Premium is sold per category and unlocks every Medical exam in the Cert Climb catalog. Plans are 1-month, 3-month, or 12-month — see the upgrade modal for current pricing.
How current is the NBRC RRT content?
We track exam version updates and refresh the bank within weeks of new objectives. Where the version of an exam matters (e.g. CompTIA SY0-701 vs. SY0-601), question explanations call it out.
Can I cancel my subscription anytime?
Yes. Cancellation is one click from your profile. Your access continues through the end of the period you’ve already paid for.
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