2016 Examinations in ReviewAt the NBRC, our Board of Trustees makes it a priority to ensure all examination candidates experience the best possible testing service. Our data suggest that most candidates prefer to schedule examinations online – last year alone, our credentialing candidates scheduled 27,937 appointments online, accounting for just more than 96 percent of all exams scheduled in 2016. To make our credentialing examinations as convenient as possible for candidates, our testing agency, PSI, offers morning and afternoon sessions Monday through Saturday at nearly 300 locations nationwide.

In 2016, the NBRC administered 28,391 examinations and awarded 14,180 new CRT, RRT, CPFT, RPFT, Neonatal/Pediatric Specialist, Sleep Disorders Specialist and Adult Critical Care Specialist credentials. The charts on page 11 present the pass/fail statistics for the respective NBRC examination programs over the past two years.

Therapist Multiple Choice ExaminationIn 2016, of the 13,737 Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) Examinations we administered, 6,266 individuals passed the exam at a minimum of the low cut score, earning the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credential—bringing the total number of CRT credentials awarded over the years to nearly a quarter million (243,399).

Clinical Simulation ExaminationCandidates earn the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential by successfully completing the TMC exam at the high cut score and passing the Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE). In 2016, 12,150 candidates attempted the CSE, and 6,105 individuals earned the RRT credential by successfully completing both testing requirements. With the addition of more than 6,000 RRT credential holders last year, the total number of RRT credentials awarded over the years has now reached 152,248.

Pulmonary Function Technology ExaminationsDuring 2016, 465 candidates attempted the Pulmonary Function Technology (PFT) Examination, with 233 individuals earning the Certified Pulmonary Function

Technologist (CPFT) credential and 124 individuals achieving the Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist (RPFT) credential. Welcoming these individuals as newly credentialed professionals has raised the total number of CPFTs to 13,528. Among them, 4,640 have also earned the RPFT credential to date.

Neonatal/Pediatric Specialty ExaminationIn 2016, 1,137 CRTs and RRTs attempted the Neonatal/Pediatric Specialty (NPS) Examination. Of those candidates, 808 practitioners earned the CRT-NPS or RRT-NPS credential. The total number of CRTs and RRTs recognized as Neonatal/Pediatric Respiratory Care Specialists reached 14,065 at the end of 2016.

Sleep Disorders Specialty ExaminationOf the 107 CRTs and RRTs who attempted the Sleep Disorders Specialty (SDS) Examination in 2016, 84 earned the CRT-SDS or RRT-SDS credential. As of the end of 2016, there are now 480 CRTs and RRTs recognized as Sleep Disorders Specialists.

Adult Critical Care Specialty ExaminationIn 2016, 795 RRTs attempted the Adult Critical Care Specialty (ACCS) Examination. Of those, 560 practitioners earned the RRT-ACCS credential. The total number of RRTs who have earned this specialty credential to date reached 2,021 at the end of 2016.

On behalf of everyone at the NBRC, we congratulate all respiratory care professionals who together achieved 14,180 new NBRC credentials in 2016. Thanks to your hard work and dedication, the total number of NBRC credentials awarded to date has now reached 432,561…and counting.

10 Second Quarter 2017

New CandidatesLow Cut 85.0% 81.7%High Cut 76.5% 72.2%

Repeat CandidatesLow Cut 52.8% 47.5%High Cut 34.2% 27.6%

2015 2016

Therapist Multiple-Choice Examination

New Candidates 55.8% 56.8%

Repeat Candidates 43.2% 44.7%

Clinical Simulation Examination

New CandidatesLow Cut 77.2% 70.5%High Cut 37.2% 33.0%

Repeat CandidatesLow Cut 46.9% 60.4%High Cut 12.8% 13.6%

Pulmonary Function Technology Examination

New Candidates 78.3% 78.2%

Repeat Candidates 44.0% 48.5%

Neonatal/Pediatric Specialty Examination

New Candidates 87.6% 83.3%

Repeat Candidates 61.5% 56.3%

Sleep Disorders Specialty Examination

New Candidates 79.0% 75.0%

Repeat Candidates 44.8% 47.2%

Adult Critical Care Specialty Examination

2016 MAINTENANCE OF CREDENTIALSAt the NBRC, we commend the following individuals for their dedication to excellence, and for their determination to voluntarily evaluate their continued competence by passing an examination in 2016 for voluntary recredentialing.

RECREDENTIALED PRACTITIONERS

CREDENTIALED PRACTITIONERS BY STATEAs previously mentioned, a total of 432,561 respiratory care practitioners have earned NBRC credentials in the United States and abroad, as of December 31, 2016. The following table shows how many CRT, RRT, CPFT, RPFT, NPS, SDS, and ACCS credentials have been awarded to respiratory care practitioners in each of the 50 states, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

When reviewing the “Total Practitioners” column, it is important to note that many practitioners hold multiple credentials. For example, all RRTs are also recognized as CRTs, and all RPFTs are also recognized as CPFTs. Similarly, all Neonatal/Pediatric Respiratory Care Specialists and Sleep Disorders Specialists are also recognized as CRTs and/or RRTs, and all Adult Critical Care Specialists are also recognized as RRTs. The “Total Practitioners” column approximates the number of individual practitioners who reside in a state and is not a summation of the credentialed national groups.

In addition to the information provided for each state, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, we also have record of approximately 2,483 credentialed practitioners who reside in other countries or have U.S. military overseas addresses.

12 Second Quarter 2017

Last Name First Name City State

RRT-NPS Credential

HULSE JAMES ASHLAND OR

RRT Credential

CLARK JENNIFER SEATTLE WA

COSA ELIAZAR BUENA PARK CA

DANISH SHOAIB WINCHESTER CA

EVANS JOHN HENDERSONVILLE NC

GREER BRENDA HICKSVILLE OH

HILL KIM ATHENS GA

HILL THOMAS ATHENS GA

KIRKEGAARD THOMAS SHAWNEE KS

LEWIS-SELLS STACY IOWA CITY IA

MC MILLIN MARGARET APOLLO BEACH FL

MCKINNEY MARBY HOUSTON TX

MEDFORD ANN SUNSET TX

MOORE ANN N CHARLESTON SC

SCANLAN CRAIG RUMSON NJ

RRT-SDS Credential

DILLARD GARY SYLVA NC

Last Name First Name City State

RRT-ACCS Credential

LITCHFIELD PAMELA POINT PLEASANT WV

CRT Credential

BALLENTINE ALYCIA GILBERT AZ

BRANDREEN KIM PETERSBURG VA

BRISLAWN KATHERINE NEW BOSTON IL

CLAVON MICHAEL FOREST VA

CONIGLIO THOMAS HEMET CA

CONRAD KIMBERLY BALLINGER TX

COSA ELIAZAR BUENA PARK CA

COSA JOSHUA FULLERTON CA

CUTNO CHARLES NEW ORLEANS LA

DANISH SHOAIB WINCHESTER CA

DENMAN CAULEEN GAMBIER OH

EVANS JOHN HENDERSONVILLE NC

FUENTEZ AARON ANAHEIM CA

GERSTENBERGER ROBERT OAXACA MX

GREER BRENDA HICKSVILLE OH

GUNDERSON ALAN EAST GRAND FORKS MN

HILL KIM ATHENS GA

HILL THOMAS ATHENS GA

HODDE ROCK INDIAN HARBOR BEACH FL

HOLLOMAN JOHN FAYETTEVILLE NC

IBEH GLADYS ASHBURN VA

KELLY MICHAEL ST PAUL MN

KIRKEGAARD THOMAS SHAWNEE KS

KUBICKI JACQUELINE MEDINA OH

LESNESKI DEBORAH TUCSON AZ

LEWIS-SELLS STACY IOWA CITY IA

MC MILLIN MARGARET APOLLO BEACH FL

MCKINNEY MARBY HOUSTON TX

MEDFORD ANN SUNSET TX

MICKEL REGINALD COLUMBIA SC

MOORE ANN N CHARLESTON SC

MOUAT ANDREA DAYTON OH

SANTOS MICHAEL PERRIS CA

SCANLAN CRAIG RUMSON NJ

SULLIVAN TOM COON RAPIDS MN

TALLEY HAROLD BOGALUSA LA

TEDROW JOHN CROOKSVILLE OH

THOMAS TIFFANY DUNBAR PA

TOTH CRISTIAN ANAHEIM CA

WOLLENWEBER BECKY TOLEDO OH

State CRT RRT CPFT RPFT NPS SDS ACCS TOTAL

AK 301 168 27 9 45 2 4 556

AL 3,524 2,094 151 51 148 2 8 5,978

AR 2,876 1,400 101 34 158 10 12 4,591

AZ 6,269 3,500 228 78 171 10 34 10,290

CA 28,601 16,665 1,408 586 2,091 35 332 49,718

CO 3,841 2,486 283 99 243 22 55 7,029

CT 2,454 1,602 192 81 140 7 17 4,493

DC 222 122 13 5 10 0 0 372

DE 747 566 50 20 86 0 6 1,475

FL 16,495 10,312 913 298 754 26 118 28,916

GA 7,648 5,403 463 162 493 6 69 14,244

GU 29 20 4 1 10 0 0 64

HI 782 570 57 18 89 0 13 1,529

IA 2,248 1,432 81 29 98 4 21 3,913

ID 1,221 773 62 18 54 3 8 2,139

IL 9,671 5,262 434 135 634 3 118 16,257

IN 6,353 4,139 282 100 329 12 73 11,288

KS 3,532 2,339 178 50 164 4 13 6,280

KY 4,765 2,420 190 73 133 13 36 7,630

LA 4,831 2,565 199 72 215 42 16 7,940

MA 3,967 2,483 215 74 255 4 24 7,022

MD 4,008 2,581 278 101 209 1 37 7,215

ME 1,028 705 79 32 57 3 4 1,908

MI 8,347 6,333 387 135 166 6 43 15,417

MN 2,947 1,889 263 60 251 5 22 5,437

MO 5,652 3,486 260 71 206 8 48 9,731

MS 3,441 1,775 100 20 104 13 9 5,462

MT 877 530 66 21 56 2 5 1,557

NC 6,747 5,083 314 112 414 11 94 12,775

ND 683 500 46 20 16 4 3 1,272

NE 1,873 1,404 81 31 96 4 8 3,497

NH 770 481 65 20 45 1 9 1,391

NJ 4,956 3,136 402 149 433 6 54 9,136

NM 1,559 1,012 90 32 140 16 28 2,877

NV 2,161 1,284 97 30 155 3 15 3,745

NY 9,682 6,879 810 269 814 19 76 18,549

OH 11,360 8,133 619 176 514 27 64 20,893

OK 3,000 1,695 93 28 150 8 87 5,061

OR 2,637 1,689 133 44 130 6 25 4,664

PA 10,389 6,738 979 311 628 36 82 19,163

PR 250 90 31 9 27 0 0 407

RI 724 406 41 6 23 0 7 1,207

SC 3,717 2,655 139 42 154 9 24 6,740

SD 707 498 55 25 23 0 2 1,310

TN 6,032 3,774 287 85 239 12 24 10,453

TX 19,895 12,398 1,008 342 1,620 40 201 35,504

UT 1,806 1,293 136 42 168 4 16 3,465

VA 5,351 3,465 352 136 339 8 111 9,762

VI 21 15 1 0 2 0 0 39

VT 413 309 41 13 22 1 7 806

WA 4,183 2,735 258 96 215 7 53 7,547

WI 4,022 2,510 243 100 153 2 25 7,055

WV 2,080 1,223 119 40 67 5 16 3,550

WY 444 257 27 10 12 1 8 759

Published Quarterly by the NATIONAL BOARD FOR RESPIRATORY CARE, INC.10801 Mastin St., Suite 300Overland Park, Kansas 66210-1658913.895.4900Fax: 913.712.9283Email: nbrc-info@nbrc.orgWebsite: nbrc.org

NBRC Horizons is published quarterly to communicate information about the admission policies and procedures, the day-to-day activities, and the short-term and long-range plans of the NBRC, the national certifying board for the respiratory care profession. The NBRC is sponsored by the American Association for Respiratory Care, the American Society of Anesthesiologists, the American Thoracic Society and the American College of Chest Physicians. Subscriptions to NBRC Horizons are free for active credentialed practitioners and $24 for inactive practitioners and others. Subscription forms can be obtained by contacting the NBRC Executive Office. Copyright © 2017. The National Board for Respiratory Care, Inc. Permission must be secured in writing to reprint any portion of this issue. State societies for respiratory care, respiratory care education programsand state licensure agencies may reprint any portion of this publication in their newsletter provided they mention the source.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEERobert L. Joyner, Jr., PhD, RRT, RRT-ACCS, FAARC (AARC), PresidentAlan L. Plummer, MD, FCCP, FAARC (ATS), Vice PresidentLinda A. Napoli, MBA, RRT, RRT-NPS, RPFT (AARC), SecretaryRobert A. Balk, MD, FCCP (CHEST), TreasurerCarl F. Haas, MLS, RRT, RRT-ACCS, CPFT, FAARC (AARC), Past President

PUBLIC ADVISORGlenna L. Tinney, MSW

MEMBERS-AT-LARGETodd G. Bocklage, MPA, RRT (AARC)Katherine L. Fedor, MBA, RRT, RRT-NPS, CPFT (AARC)Stephen A. Stayer, MD (ASA)

MEMBERS OF THE BOARDSherry L. Barnhart Stadter, RRT, RRT-NPS, FAARC (AARC)Susan B. Blonshine, BS, RRT, RPFT, AE-C, FAARC (AARC)William W. Burgin Jr., MD, FCCP (ATS)Brian W. Carlin, MD, FCCP, FAARC (ATS)Robin J. Elwood, MD, FAAP (ASA)Thomas M. Fuhrman, MD, MMSc, FCCP (CHEST)Kerry E. George, MEd, RRT, RRT-ACCS, FAARC (AARC)Jay Hammerling, MD (ASA)Hyacinth M. Johnson, RN, BSN, MPA, RRT (AARC)Carl A. Kaplan, MD, FCCP (CHEST)James P. Lamberti, MD, FCCP (CHEST)David C. Levin, MD, FCCP (ATS)Robert A. May, MD, FCCP (CHEST)Laura L. McFarland, BS, RRT, RRT-SDS, RPSGT (AARC)Carl D. Mottram, RRT, RPFT, FAARC (AARC)Theodora K. Nicholau, MD, PhD (ASA)Donald S. Prough, MD, FCCP (ASA)Gregg L. Ruppel, MEd, RRT, RPFT, FAARC (AARC)Robert A. Sinkin, MD, MPH, FAAP (ATS)Mark S. Siobal, BS, RRT, RRT-ACCS, FAARC (AARC)David L. Vines, MHS, RRT, FAARC (AARC)Teresa A. Volsko, MBA, MHHS, RRT, CMTE, FAARC (AARC)

TRUSTEE EMERITUSH. F. Helmholz Jr., MD, FAARCRobert M. Lawrence, MDTheodore Oslick, MD, FCCP, FAARC

CHAIRMAN OF THE NBRC PUBLIC RELATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEECarl D. Mottram, RRT, RPFT, FAARC (AARC)

STAFFGary A. Smith, RRT (Hon), FAARC, Chief Executive Officer and Executive DirectorLori M. Tinkler, MBA, Chief Operating Officer and Associate Executive DirectorScott M. Hermansen, CPA, Chief Financial OfficerRobert C. Shaw Jr., PhD, RRT, FAARC, Assistant Executive Director/ Examinations Director and PsychometricianMelanie Thomas, Assistant Executive Director/Certification Director

The information presented in this table is based on the most current address information in the NBRC database. Please keep us informed if you move so we can update your address. You may also change your address online at nbrc.org.