How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Louisiana – LA

By an allied health world contributing writer
Published: January, 9 2010

Becoming a Respiratory Therapist in Louisiana

1. Louisiana respiratory therapist careers begin when you earn your degree as a respiratory therapist from an accredited program at a university or college. 


2. After gaining a degree you are eligible to sit for the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) examination.  This examination costs $190 for the exam fee and if you have already attempted to take the examination and failed you will only have to pay $150.  If you allow for your license to expire without renewing it on time, you will have to pay $150 in order to become re-certified.  If you are trying to renew your license through taking the exam the fee is $75.  In order to take this examination you must be 18 years old and live within Canada or the United States.  You are to provide your college transcript(s) before 60 days of when you pass the examination or you will be giving up your CRT license.  The CRT examination take approximately three hours to finish and consists of about 160 questions covering the practices and duties of a CRT.  You must obtain at least a 75% on the examination in order to receive your license.
3. Once you pass the CRT examination, you are eligible to take any of the other four special licensure exams in order to compete on a higher pay scale with increased work duties.  The other four include the Certified Pulmonary Function Therapist (CPFT), the Registered Pulmonary Function Therapist (RPFT), the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT), and the Neonatal/Pediatric Specialists. 

Professional Organizations within Respiratory Therapy

American Association for Respiratory Care
A professional organization that is set-up for allied health care specialists as well as professionals within the Respiratory Therapy field that share an interest in cardiopulmonary care.  The organization was established in 1947 and since has been dedicated to improving professionalism for respiratory care practitioners, enhancing job performance, as well as assisting in expanding the knowledge that is needed for being successful within this job occupation.  There are about 47,000 members that are nationally involved with this association and is the only professional organization available for respiratory therapists that hold a job at hospitals, manage cardiopulmonary and respiratory services, engage in providing education/training within the field, and work through a home care company.  Membership is free.
http://www.aarc.org/member_services/

Louisiana Society for Respiratory Care
The purpose of this organization according to the LSRC website is “To encourage and develop on a regional basis educational programs for those persons interested in the field of Respiratory Care.”  Members of this organization work toward improvements and advancements within the field of respiratory care.  This organization also works toward building a trusting, cooperative relationship between respiratory care occupations and other medical professions, the hospitals in which they work, any type of service companies, and any other type of agencies that would work with directly or indirectly.   They also promote education for the public about pulmonary health as well as prevention of disease.