Note: Deadline to apply for fall 2025 semester is June 5, 2025.

What is respiratory care?
Respiratory care is a health care specialty involved in the assessment, treatment, management and diagnostic evaluation of patients with cardiopulmonary disease.

Who are respiratory therapists?
Respiratory therapists work under the direction of a physician as part of a multidisciplinary team of health professionals who provide care for patients with conditions such as asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, chest trauma, as well as other lung and heart diseases. Respiratory therapists are trained in adult, pediatric and neonatal care.

For more information about the field of respiratory care, see aarc.org/ and/or morerts.com.

What credentials are required?

The completion of Stark State College’s associate degree in respiratory care meets the educational requirements for national credentialing and licensure in Ohio. Graduates of Stark State College’s program are eligible to apply for the National Board of Respiratory Care’s Therapist Multiple Choice examination (TMC). Passing the exam at the low- cut score qualifies students for the National Board of Respiratory Care Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credential. Students must pass the Therapist Multiple Choice exam at the high cut score to be eligible to sit for the second portion of the credentialing exams, the Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE). To qualify for the National Board of Respiratory Care Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential, one must pass both the TMC and CSE examinations. For more information regarding credentials, see nbrc.org.

One must be a registered respiratory therapist and be licensed in Ohio to practice in Ohio. After students earn their RRT credential they must apply for licensure through the Ohio Medical Board. Stark State College has not determined whether completion of their CoARC accredited Respiratory Care program meets the educational requirements to apply for a professional license in other states outside of Ohio. See NBRC for a list of contact information for other state licensure agencies.

Many of Stark State’s employer partners offer tuition assistance with job placement opportunities after graduation. For more information on partners such as Akron Children’s Hospital, Mercy Medical Center, Summa Health and others, please contact the program coordinator.