California Respiratory Therapist Exam Mastery
2025–2026: 100 Must-Know Questions &
Answers with Rationales
1. Which credential is required by the state of California to be licensed as a Respiratory
Care Practitioner (RCP)?
A. CRT
B. RRT
C. CRT + additional years of experience
D. State board exam only
Answer: B. California requires the RRT credential from NBRC as part of licensure to
practice as an RCP. Under California law, which code section dictates that all licenses
for the practice of respiratory care be issued by the Board?
A. § 3702
B. § 3730
C. § 3775
D. § 3740
Answer: B. Business & Professions Code § 3730 states that all licenses for respiratory
care in California must be issued by the Board. To be eligible for licensure in California,
which of the following educational requirements must be met (unless waived)?
A. High school diploma only
B. Bachelor’s degree in any field
C. Associate degree from CoARC-accredited respiratory care program
D. Certificate program of 1 year
Answer: C. The Board requires completion of an accredited respiratory care education
program awarding at least an associate degree (CoARC or equivalent) unless a waiver is
granted
2. California requires all applicants for licensure to complete which of the following before
licensure is granted?
A. Clinical internship
B. Physics course
C. Law & professional ethics course
D. Phlebotomy certification
Answer: C. The Respiratory Care Board requires completion of a Board-approved law
& professional ethics course
3. The scope of practice defined by the California Respiratory Care Board includes all
EXCEPT:
, A. Administration of medical gases
B. Maintenance of artificial airways
C. General anesthesia management
D. Diagnostic testing of respiratory secretions
Answer: C. Respiratory care does not include general anesthesia management, which is
outside the scope under physician supervision
4. Under Business & Professions Code § 3739, an applicant who has met education
requirements may perform as a respiratory care practitioner applicant under direct
supervision until license issuance.
A. True
B. False
Answer: A. Section 3739 allows an applicant (after meeting education requirements) to
practice under direct supervision until licensure is granted
5. Which of the following statements about pretest items on the NBRC TMC exam is
correct?
A. Pretest items count toward your final score
B. There are 20 pretest questions among the total 160
C. Pretest items are shorter than scored items
D. Candidates know which items are pretest items
Answer: B. The TMC exam includes 20 pretest (unscored) items among its 160
questions. How many attempts does NBRC allow without waiting between attempts for
the TMC exam?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. Unlimited
Answer: C. Candidates may attempt the TMC exam three times without waiting; after
that, they must wait 120 days between attempts. The Clinical Simulation Exam (CSE)
consists of how many total problems (including pretest)?
A. 20
B. 22
C. 25
D. 27
Answer: B. The CSE includes 22 problems: 20 scored + 2 pretest. Which of the
following is not a permitted task under the scope of practice of respiratory care in
California, as per the Board’s definition?
A. Bronchopulmonary hygiene
B. Insertion of artificial airway without cutting tissue
, C. Management of extracorporeal life support
D. Performing open-heart surgery ventilation
Answer: D. Respiratory care includes ECMO, ventilatory support, etc., but not
performing open-heart surgery itself. In California, Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs)
may perform basic respiratory tasks under regulation. True or false?
A. True
B. False
Answer: A. Recent regulations define “basic respiratory tasks and services” that LVNs
may perform; beyond that, respiratory care is restricted to licensed practitioners. The
California Respiratory Care Board enforces which range of Business & Professions Code
sections?
A. 3600–3679
B. 3700–3779
C. 3800–3879
D. 3900–3979
Answer: B. The Board enforces the Respiratory Care Practice Act under B&P Code §§
3700–3779If an applicant fails to pass the NBRC exams but has held a CRT credential,
does that credential get revoked by retaking the exam?
A. Yes
B. No
Answer: B. No — failing to re-pass the TMC will not revoke an existing CRT credential.
Which cut score on the TMC exam makes a candidate eligible for the CSE (and RRT
credential)?
A. Low cut score
B. High cut score
C. Medium cut score
D. Passing grade only
Answer: B. You must achieve the high cut score on TMC to be eligible to take the CSE
and obtain the RRT credential
6. For how long are NBRC eligibility records maintained once you apply?
A. 6 months
B. 1 year
C. 2 years
D. Indefinitely
Answer: B. Eligibility records are maintained for one year; after that, they become
inactive
2025–2026: 100 Must-Know Questions &
Answers with Rationales
1. Which credential is required by the state of California to be licensed as a Respiratory
Care Practitioner (RCP)?
A. CRT
B. RRT
C. CRT + additional years of experience
D. State board exam only
Answer: B. California requires the RRT credential from NBRC as part of licensure to
practice as an RCP. Under California law, which code section dictates that all licenses
for the practice of respiratory care be issued by the Board?
A. § 3702
B. § 3730
C. § 3775
D. § 3740
Answer: B. Business & Professions Code § 3730 states that all licenses for respiratory
care in California must be issued by the Board. To be eligible for licensure in California,
which of the following educational requirements must be met (unless waived)?
A. High school diploma only
B. Bachelor’s degree in any field
C. Associate degree from CoARC-accredited respiratory care program
D. Certificate program of 1 year
Answer: C. The Board requires completion of an accredited respiratory care education
program awarding at least an associate degree (CoARC or equivalent) unless a waiver is
granted
2. California requires all applicants for licensure to complete which of the following before
licensure is granted?
A. Clinical internship
B. Physics course
C. Law & professional ethics course
D. Phlebotomy certification
Answer: C. The Respiratory Care Board requires completion of a Board-approved law
& professional ethics course
3. The scope of practice defined by the California Respiratory Care Board includes all
EXCEPT:
, A. Administration of medical gases
B. Maintenance of artificial airways
C. General anesthesia management
D. Diagnostic testing of respiratory secretions
Answer: C. Respiratory care does not include general anesthesia management, which is
outside the scope under physician supervision
4. Under Business & Professions Code § 3739, an applicant who has met education
requirements may perform as a respiratory care practitioner applicant under direct
supervision until license issuance.
A. True
B. False
Answer: A. Section 3739 allows an applicant (after meeting education requirements) to
practice under direct supervision until licensure is granted
5. Which of the following statements about pretest items on the NBRC TMC exam is
correct?
A. Pretest items count toward your final score
B. There are 20 pretest questions among the total 160
C. Pretest items are shorter than scored items
D. Candidates know which items are pretest items
Answer: B. The TMC exam includes 20 pretest (unscored) items among its 160
questions. How many attempts does NBRC allow without waiting between attempts for
the TMC exam?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. Unlimited
Answer: C. Candidates may attempt the TMC exam three times without waiting; after
that, they must wait 120 days between attempts. The Clinical Simulation Exam (CSE)
consists of how many total problems (including pretest)?
A. 20
B. 22
C. 25
D. 27
Answer: B. The CSE includes 22 problems: 20 scored + 2 pretest. Which of the
following is not a permitted task under the scope of practice of respiratory care in
California, as per the Board’s definition?
A. Bronchopulmonary hygiene
B. Insertion of artificial airway without cutting tissue
, C. Management of extracorporeal life support
D. Performing open-heart surgery ventilation
Answer: D. Respiratory care includes ECMO, ventilatory support, etc., but not
performing open-heart surgery itself. In California, Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs)
may perform basic respiratory tasks under regulation. True or false?
A. True
B. False
Answer: A. Recent regulations define “basic respiratory tasks and services” that LVNs
may perform; beyond that, respiratory care is restricted to licensed practitioners. The
California Respiratory Care Board enforces which range of Business & Professions Code
sections?
A. 3600–3679
B. 3700–3779
C. 3800–3879
D. 3900–3979
Answer: B. The Board enforces the Respiratory Care Practice Act under B&P Code §§
3700–3779If an applicant fails to pass the NBRC exams but has held a CRT credential,
does that credential get revoked by retaking the exam?
A. Yes
B. No
Answer: B. No — failing to re-pass the TMC will not revoke an existing CRT credential.
Which cut score on the TMC exam makes a candidate eligible for the CSE (and RRT
credential)?
A. Low cut score
B. High cut score
C. Medium cut score
D. Passing grade only
Answer: B. You must achieve the high cut score on TMC to be eligible to take the CSE
and obtain the RRT credential
6. For how long are NBRC eligibility records maintained once you apply?
A. 6 months
B. 1 year
C. 2 years
D. Indefinitely
Answer: B. Eligibility records are maintained for one year; after that, they become
inactive
