Requirement

An applicant for registration must:

1. Have successfully completed a respiratory therapy program offered in Canada that, at the time of completion, was approved by the Registration Committee (Note: a list of approved programs is available on the CRTO’s website); or
2. Have,
   1. successfully completed a program in Respiratory Therapy that is acceptable to the Registration Committee, along with any additional education, remediation or period of supervised practice that is required by the Registration Committee, and
   2. demonstrated through an assessment process acceptable to the Registration Committee that the applicant has knowledge skills and judgement equivalent to a graduate of an approved program (referred to in (a) above).

How to demonstrate that you meet the requirement?

Graduates of approved RT programs:

• Official (final) transcript of academic record from an approved RT program – you must request that your school send a copy of your final transcript directly to the CRTO.

Recent graduates– the CRTO may accept an email confirmation of successful completion of an educational program (e.g., a letter from the program director) before your final transcript is available. However, the official transcript must be received within eight weeks of completing the program.

Graduates of Unapproved RT programs:

• Graduates of unapproved RT programs must successfully complete the CRTO’s assessment process, for more information please see the Application and Assessment Guide for Applicants who Graduated from Unapproved Canadian Programs.

Requirement

An applicant for a General Certificate of Registration must have completed the Health Professionals Testing Canada (HTPC) examination.

Note: Before completing the approved examination, an applicant may be granted a Graduate (temporary) Certificate of Registration.

How to demonstrate that you meet the requirement?

Provide a copy of your HPTC exam results letter.

Requirement

An applicant for registration must be able to communicate effectively in English or French in a healthcare environment.

How to demonstrate that you meet the requirement?

You will meet that language fluency requirement if:

• your first language is English or French; or
• the language of your RT program instruction was English or French; or
• you have achieved an acceptable score on a CRTO accepted language test, please refer to our Language Proficiency Requirements Policy for approved tests and scores.

Requirement

An applicant for registration must be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada or be authorized under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada) to engage in the practice of Respiratory Therapy.

How to demonstrate that you meet the requirement?

Provide proof of Canadian citizenship, permanent residency status or a valid work permit, for example:

• a copy of a birth certificate, current passport, or Canadian Citizenship Card; or
• a copy of a valid permanent residency card, or
• a copy of a record of landing, or
• a copy of a valid work permit issued under the Canadian Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, 2001, or
• Certificate of Indian Status or Mertis Citizenship Document

If you do not currently meet this requirement, you may still begin the application process.

Meeting the Currency Requirement:

To maintain your registration, you must meet the currency requirement. This ensures that all Respiratory Therapists (RTs) provide safe, competent, and up-to-date care. You can meet the requirement in one of two ways:

• Recent graduates: You completed your education program (or assessment) within the last three years.
• Graduates more than three years ago: You have practiced Respiratory Therapy for at least 1,125 hours within the past three years. Practice can include both clinical and non-clinical roles, as long as it uses your RT knowledge and competencies (e.g., hospital, community, education, corporate, or volunteer work).

How to show you meet this requirement:

• If you graduated within the past three years, you automatically meet the requirement.
• If you graduated more than three years ago, you must provide proof of respiratory therapy practice within the last three years, for example by completing the Employment Verification Form.

Common questions:

Do I need to do bedside care to meet the requirement?
No. RTs in leadership, education, or non-clinical roles meet the requirement as long as their work uses their RT knowledge and competencies.

I recently retired from my full-time position but still work casually or volunteer. Does that count?
Yes. Practice hours can include both employment and volunteer activities. If you do not meet the 1,125-hour threshold, you may satisfy the requirement through continuing professional development and quality improvement activities.

Can I work in non-clinical roles if I don’t meet the hours?
Yes. The currency requirement only affects direct patient care or supervision of RT practice. Non-clinical roles are not impacted.

How does CRTO monitor this?
Members must declare that they meet the currency requirement on their annual renewal form.

For more information:

• See the Applications for Registration or Reinstatement – Currency Requirement Policy
• Check out the Am I Practising Fact Sheet for additional guidance

Requirement

An applicant for a certificate of registration must:

1. Fully disclose details of any criminal offence of which the applicant has been found guilty, including any offence under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (Canada) or the Food and Drugs Act (Canada).
2. Fully disclose details of every professional misconduct, incompetence, incapacity or other similar proceedings that they are the subject of and that relates to their registration or licensure in Ontario in another profession or another jurisdiction in respiratory therapy or another profession.
3. Fully disclose details of every finding of professional misconduct, incompetence, incapacity or other similar finding that they have previously been the subject of while registered or licensed in Ontario in another profession or another jurisdiction in respiratory therapy or another profession.
4. In addition, the applicant must satisfy the CRTO that their past and present conduct affords reasonable grounds for belief that the applicant,
   
   1. is not suffering from a physical or mental disorder that would make it desirable in the interest of the public that the applicant not be permitted to practise, will practise respiratory therapy with decency, integrity and honesty and in accordance with the law, and,
   2. will display an appropriately professional attitude.

How to demonstrate that you meet the requirement?

As part of your application, you will be required to answer a series of questions about your conduct and practice history. You will also need to submit a Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC).

To learn more about submitting a VSC click here.

Applicants who do not meet the CRTO registration requirements will be referred to the Registration Committee for consideration.