Board of Respiratory Care

Licenses and regulates those qualified in Tennessee to be registered respiratory therapists, certified respiratory therapists, and respiratory care assistants.

About  the Board of Respiratory Care

The Board of Respiratory Care was created in 1998 to succeed the Board of Medical Examiners Council on Respiratory Care. Its mission is to safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of Tennesseans by requiring that all that practice respiratory care within this state are qualified. The Board interprets the laws, rules, and regulations to determine the appropriate standards of practice in an effort to ensure the highest degree of professional conduct. The Board is authorized to issue licenses and certificates to qualified candidates who have completed appropriate education and successfully completed required examinations. The Board is also responsible for the investigation of alleged violations of the Practice Act and rules, and is responsible for the discipline of licensees who are found guilty of such violation.

The Board works with the Tennessee Professional Assistance Program which provides peer assistance to impaired practitioners in an effort to both protect the public and rehabilitate practitioners who can safely return to the practice of respiratory care.

The administrative staff of the Division of Health Related Boards supports the Board by issuing licenses to those who meet the requirements of the law and rules. Renewal notices are mailed from the Board's administrative office forty-five (45) days prior to the expiration of the license to the current address on record. Licenses can be renewed on-line one hundred twenty (120) days prior to expiration at Tennessee.gov/health. Click on the "License Renewal" link and follow the prompts. Licensees are responsible for renewing their licenses on time and keeping the Board apprised of current information. It is a violation of the law and of the board’s rules to practice on an expired license.

Licenses or certificates are awarded in the following categories:

  • Licensed Registered Respiratory Therapists
  • Licensed Certified Respiratory Therapists
  • Respiratory Care Assistant (Renewals Only)

The Board currently meets four (4) times per year. The Governor appoints all members of the Board. The Board consists of four (4) respiratory care practitioners holding credentials from the National Board for Respiratory Care, at least two (2) of whom shall be respiratory therapists; one (1) practicing physician with expertise in pulmonary medicine; one (1) hospital administrator, one (1) hospital employee licensed as a respiratory therapist, and one (1) consumer member. A majority of members is required to conduct business. The meetings are open to the public

Featured Links

Licensure Scam Alert

The Department of Health has been made aware that some licensees of a few different health licensure boards have received fraudulent communications from individuals claiming to be from those licensee’s licensing boards. The communications, often by phone, may threaten arrest or license suspension, demand personal information, or require payment of fines.  Some of them have been accompanied by fraudulent letters claiming to suspend the license. Please note: 

  • Phone calls may “spoof” or appear to be from the boards’ number;
  • If you need to verify the identity of a TN board investigator, call (615) 741-8485 or email OIV.Complaints@tn.gov.
  • The health-related board investigators will never demand that you provide personally identifying information, such as a social security number, date of birth, or bank or credit card account numbers over the phone;
  • These types of licensing scams are a problem nationwide.

 If you believe you are the recipient of a fraudulent communication claiming to be from your licensing board:

  • If you believe you are the recipient of a fraudulent communication claiming to be from your licensing board:
  • Report the communication to the Internet Crime Complaint Center Internet Crime Complaint Center at using the code "TDHHPBSCAM2026".  This will allow law enforcement to link these scams for improved investigation.
  • Complainants can alternatively call the Fusion Center Tipline (800TBIFIND) or submit a tip online at TBI but the IC3 is preferred.

·         Notify the Department of Health at (615) 741-8485 or email OIV.Complaints@tn.gov

  • The Federal Trade Commission also accepts reports about “Imposter Scams” online or at 1-877-382-4357.

Contact

Contact the Board of Respiratory Care

615-532-5090 local or 1-800-778-4123 nationwide, or write:

665 Mainstream Drive, 2nd Floor
Nashville, TN 37243

Email: Unit3HRB.Health@tn.gov

Applying for Licensure

When completing the application process below, you will be required to submit an official transcript from the institution where you completed your education. The transcript must be mailed directly from the educational institution to the board office located at 665 Mainstream Drive, Nashville, TN 37243.

Applications

► Applying for initial licensure from your professional licensing board has become a bit easier.  The Department of Health has an online application process that will allow all health care professionals to apply online for an initial license and complete (and update as necessary) a practitioner profile mandatory for certain professions.  The process is user friendly and convenient and even allows you to pay for your initial application utilizing a credit card, debit card or e-check.  You will also be able to upload many of the documents required to complete your initial application!  Please go to the initial application link below to begin the online process.

Meetings, Members, & Minutes

Meeting Schedule

Click for the [Board] Calendar of Events

Public Notices will remain online until the minutes are ratified and posted on the Meeting Minutes page.

Unless otherwise noted, all events take place at 665 Mainstream Drive, MetroCenter.

Board Members

Member Position Representation Term Expires
Robert E. Farmer
 Board Chair Registered Respiratory Therapist 03-31-2024
Jeffery Craig Rooks
 Board Member Registered Respiratory Therapist 03-31-2024
Kira Anderson Board Member
 Registered Respiratory Therapist 03-31-2026
Gary Keith Lovelady, M.D.
 Board Member Practicing Physician 03-31-2025
Ray A. Davis Board Secretary Registered Respiratory Therapist 03-31-2025
Curtis D. Powell Board Member Hospital Administrator 03-31-2025
Kimberly D. Christmon Board Member Registered Respiratory Therapist 03-31-2024
Delmar Mack, EdD Board Member Citizen Member 03-31-2026

Continuing Education

Failure to comply with continuing education requirements may result in disciplinary action against the licensee or registrant. The disciplinary action will be reported on the Department of Health license verification web site. 

Every therapist and assistant licensed or certified by the Board must complete twelve (12) contact hours of continuing education every calendar year, effective November 26, 2015. Appropriate educational content may include the clinical practice of respiratory care, education, management, or research relating to the cardio-pulmonary system.

Continuing education provided by the organizations or associations listed below is considered acceptable if the educational content is acceptable:

  • American Association for Respiratory Care and any of its chartered affiliates
  • American Cancer Association
  • American College of Chest Physicians
  • American College of Emergency Physicians
  • American Heart Association
  • American Lung Association
  • American Medical Association
  • American Nurses Association
  • American Society of Cardiovascular Professionals
  • American Society of Anesthesiologists
  • American Thoracic Society
  • Association of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists
  • Critical Care Nurse Association
  • Tennessee Association for Home Care
  • Tennessee Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation
  • Tennessee Medical Association
  • Tennessee Society for Respiratory Care
  • All hospitals or institutions belonging to the Tennessee Hospital Association, or which are J.C.A.H.O. accredited.
  • American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation
  • American Association of Pediatric Physicians

Each individual must retain independent proof of attendance and completion of all continuing education requirements. This documentation must be retained for a period of three (3) years from the end of the calendar year in which the continuing education was acquired. This documentation must be produced for inspection and verification, if requested in writing by the Board during its verification process.

If a person submits documentation for training that is not clearly identifiable as appropriate continuing education, the Board will request a written description of the training and how it applies to the practice of respiratory care. If the Board determines that the training cannot be considered appropriate continuing education, the individual may be granted an extension, not to exceed ninety (90) days to replace the hours not allowed. Those hours will be considered replacement hours and cannot be counted during the next current calendar year.

Continuing education credit will not be allowed for the following:

  • Regular work activities, administrative staff meetings, case staffing/reporting, etc.
  • Membership in, holding office in, or participation on boards or committees, business meetings of professional organizations, or banquet speeches.
  • Training specifically related to policies and procedures of an agency.

An individual whose license has been retired for one (1) year or less will be required to fulfill continuing education requirements to reinstate the license. Those hours may not be counted toward future continuing education requirements.

Any individual requesting reactivation of a license which has been retired for one (1) or more years must submit, along with the reactivation request, verification which indicates the attendance and completion of twelve (12) contact hours of continuing education for every year for which the license has been retired up to a maximum of twenty-four (24) hours. The continuing education hours must have been successfully completed within the year before the date of reinstatement.

Extension of Time to Complete Continuing Education

The Board may grant an extension of time to a licensee to attend and complete the required hours of continuing education because of emergency or hardship. Extensions will be considered only on an individual basis and may be requested by submitting to the Board's administrative office a written request for extension, which documents the nature of the emergency or hardship. Any practitioner making such a request may be required to appear before the Board to explain their request.

Whenever you have a question regarding continuing education, refer to Rule 1330-1-.12, Continuing Education, or call the Board's administrative office and speak to the board administrator.

Educational Programs

Baptist College of Health Sciences
1003 Monroe Avenue
Memphis, TN  38104
Phone:  (901) 227-6933

Chattanooga State Technical Community College
4501 Amnicola Highway
Chattanooga, TN 37406-1097
Phone: (423) 697-4450

Phone: (423) 697-3171

Columbia State Community College
1665 Hampshire Pike
Columbia, TN 38401
Phone: (615) 540-2722
Phone: (615) 540-2535

East Tennessee State University
P.O. Box 70623
Johnson City, TN 37614-0623
Phone: (423) 547-4900
Phone: (423) 547-4921

Jackson State Community College
2046 N. Parkway Street
Jackson, TN 38301
Phone: (731) 425-2612

Roane State Community College
276 Patton Lane
Harriman, TN 37748
Phone: (865) 354-3000
Phone: (800) 343-9104
Fax: (865) 882-4562

Tennessee State University
3500 John A. Merritt Blvd.
Nashville, TN 37209-1561
Phone: (615) 963-5871

Tennessee Technology Center at Memphis
550 Alabama Avenue
Memphis, TN 38105-3799
Phone: (901) 543-6100
Phone: (901) 543-6197

Volunteer State Community College
1480 Nashville Pike
Gallatin, TN 37066-3188
Phone: (615) 230-3331
Phone: (615) 230-3224

Walters State Community College
500 South Davy Crockett Parkway
Morristown, TN 37813-6899
Phone: (423) 583-6981

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions

Please go to this link: https://www.tn.gov/health/health-professionals/criminal-background-check/cbc-instructions.html
And follow the directions that are applicable to you.
If you are an out of state applicant, we will mail you the fingerprint card upon receipt of your application.
Your OCA # is:Registered Respiratory Therapist: 3747
Certified Respiratory Therapist: 3750

You can update your address/name online at https://lars.tn.gov. If you don’t have an account already, you’ll make an account, onboard your license and then you may update your information. The next time you renew your license, you will receive certificates with your updated name. If you want an updated certificate before then, you can order a replacement copy of your license online at https://lars.tn.gov for $25.
-The Wall Certificate is the large manila certificate that has the state seal on it.
-The Renewal Certificate is the medium sized blue/green

The Board’s Rules provide a list of course types the Board defines as "Multi-Media" which includes such course delivery methods as Internet, Teleconferencing, and Videoconferencing, among others; therefore, since a webinar is a video conference and is conducted over the internet, it is not a the same thing as a live course.

All requests, applications, notices, complaints, other communications and correspondence shall be directed to the Administrative Office of the Board no less than 14 days prior to a regularly scheduled meeting of the Board or the item will be set over to the next regularly scheduled meeting thereafter.

 you must meet the license requirements as state in rule 1330-01-.23 and submit the following information to the Board of Respiratory Care, 665 Mainstream Dr. 2nd Floor, Nashville, TN 37243.:
· Completed Polysomnographic application
· Proof of completion of internship in a sleep facility with a letter from the instructor or medical director attesting to the number of hours completed; or
· Verification from NBRC showing certification of sleep disorder exams; or
· Verification from NBRPT showing certification as a registered Polysomnographic technologist
· Mandatory Practitioner Profile

The first license issued will be valid for at least 12 months but may be active for more than 12 months as a new licensee enters the licensure renewal cycle. Every license issued after the first renewal date will expire every 24 months. The expiration date is printed on all license certificates. While the Board Administrative Office will send one courtesy renewal notice, the license will expire whether the notice has been received or not. It is the responsibility of the licensee to know when their license expires and to renew accordingly.

Policies, Rules, & Statutes

Policies

Rules

 

Click here for Rules and Regulations pertaining to the Tennessee Board of Respiratory Care

Statutes

Statutes are proposed and made law by the Tennessee State General Assembly (Legislature). The Board, following specific notice requirements and hearings, adopts rules. Both have the force of law and may be used in the regulation of a profession. The statutes pertaining to this Board are found at T. C. A. 63-1 (Division of Health Related Boards) and T.C.A. 63-27 (Respiratory Care Practitioners).

Click Here to review the Tennessee Code Annotated. (This link will take you to a website that is not maintained by the Tennessee Department of Health).

This Page Last Updated: March 30, 2026 at 2:55 PM