Entry into Practice Standards

Current Version in Effect 3/2024

Accreditation Standards for Entry into Respiratory Care Professional Practice

2027 Version affective January 1, 2027

2027 Accreditation Standards for Entry into Respiratory Care Professional Practice

Revision Highlights

Dear Colleagues,

On behalf of the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC), we are pleased to announce the release of the 2027 Accreditation Standards for Entry into Respiratory Care Professional Practice.

This comprehensive revision reflects the evolving expectations of respiratory care education and practice. The updated Standards are designed to ensure that accredited programs:

• Meet the changing demands of contemporary respiratory care practice;
• Prepare students with career readiness aligned with the degree they earn; and
• Demonstrate the added value of higher levels of academic preparation in respiratory care.

Implementation Timeline

To support programs in this transition, the CoARC Board has established the following timeline:

• January 1, 2027 – The 2027 Standards become effective
• Programs receiving self-studies from the CoARC Executive Office after this date must demonstrate compliance with the new Standards.  
• June 2027 – CoARC will begin assessing compliance through site visits and the Annual Report of Current Status

The revised timeline provides programs with additional time to prepare for implementation, allows CoARC to finalize supporting resources and definitions, and aligns the Standards with updates to the new NBRC Respiratory Therapy Examination.

What to Expect in the Coming Months

Between April and September 2026, CoARC will:

• Finalize supporting materials, including applicable definitions and resources for each Standard
• Update accreditation policies, bylaws, and site visit materials
• Provide webinars and training sessions for program personnel and site visitors
• Create an interactive, web-based format for the final document

Training and Support

CoARC is committed to supporting programs throughout this transition. Training opportunities, including webinars, Q&A sessions, and podcasts, will be offered to ensure clarity and consistency in implementing the revised Standards.

Questions

If you have questions regarding the 2027 Standards or the implementation timeline, please contact CoARC at:

Email: tom@coarc.com
Website: www.coarc.com

Thank you for your continued commitment to excellence in respiratory care education.

Sincerely,
Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC)