Information on the alignment requirements for the Respiratory Care Program
CIP Code: 51.0908
CIP Name: Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist
Definition: A program that prepares individuals, under the supervision of physicians, to assist in developing respiratory care plans, administer respiratory care procedures, supervise personnel and equipment operation, maintain records, and consult with other health care team members. Includes instruction in the applied basic biomedical sciences; anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the respiratory system; clinical medicine; therapeutic procedures; clinical expressions; data collection and record-keeping; patient communication; equipment operation and maintenance; personnel supervision; and procedures for special population groups.
Approval Status
The Respiratory Care Realignment was approved by the Kansas Board of Regents Technical Education Authority on April 28, 2022. Colleges are granted one year from the approval date to implement the alignment. Implementation due by the Fall 2023 semester.
State Faculty Committee recommendation
The Respiratory Care State Faculty Committee recommended the following:
1. Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) offered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC). Minimum of a Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT).
2. All programs must be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).
3. Minimum length is an AAS. Maximum of 71 credit hours for State Funding.
4. Strengthening of the following curriculum components: customer service, soft skills, clinical affiliate opportunities that maximize hands-on experience, time management and production skills, interdisciplinary RT training with nurses and others on the medical team, emphasis on process and critical thinking (application rather than memorization), skills practice with neonatal patients, NRP, PALS, pulmonary functions, purposeful relationship between clinical affiliate and instructors.
Alignment Map
Click here(pdf)Common Courses
No common courses aligned – institutions may utilize their existing CoARC standards.
Support Courses - minimum 15 credit hours
Institutions may utilize existing like courses which adhere to the agreed upon course lengths and competencies.
| English Composition | 3 credit hours |
| Math | 3 credit hours |
| Social Science and Behavioral Science | 3 credit hours |
| Human Anatomy and Physiology | Min 5 credit hours |
| Additional General Education Course | Min 1 credit hour |
To learn where this program is available in Kansas, visit the Kansas Career Technical Education Program Search.