The Ultimate Guide to Respiratory Therapy CEUs

TheCEPlace December 4, 2025

If you're a Respiratory Therapist, you already know that continuing education is part of the job. But between long shifts, ever-changing state rules, and multiple certifying bodies, figuring out exactly what you need can get confusing fast.

This guide breaks everything down—what respiratory therapist continuing education units (CEUs) are, why they matter, and the easiest ways to earn them. 

Respiratory Therapy CEUs: What They Are & Why They Matter

CEUs are structured learning hours required for respiratory therapists to maintain their licenses and credentials. But they’re more than a regulatory box to check. CEUs exist to:

  • Bridge the gap between new research and everyday clinical practice
  • Help RTs keep pace with rapidly changing technology
  • Prepare RTs for specialty roles and career progression
  • Protect public safety by maintaining minimum competency standards
  • Reinforce ethics and professional accountability

In simple terms? CEUs ensure respiratory therapists continue to grow professionally while protecting the quality of care patients rely on. 

Understanding RT CEU Requirements 

Every state has its own rules for CEUs, but most require anywhere from 12 to 30 hours every 1, 2, or 3 years. Requirements usually outline:

  • Total number of hours
  • Mandatory topics (e.g., ethics, clinical care, opioids, safety)
  • Limits on self-paced learning
  • Limits on course repetition
  • Additional requirements for first-time renewals

To make the process easier, the next step is choosing a provider you can trust—one that meets all accreditation and state-level requirements.

How to Choose an Accredited CEU Provider

With so many CEU websites out there, it’s not always obvious which ones count and which ones don’t. Before registering, make sure the provider meets the standards set by your state board and national credentialing agencies.

Here’s what to look for:

  • AARC Approval: When you see AARC-approved CEUs, you know that the course has been approved by the American Association for Respiratory Care and is accepted in all states including Puerto Rico.
  • NBRC Recognition: If you maintain RRT (Registered Respiratory Therapist) or CRT (Certified Respiratory Therapist) credentials, look for NBRC-approved CEUs so your hours count toward your NBRC (National Board for Respiratory Care) renewal requirements.
  • State-by-State Approval: Boards don’t all follow the same rules. Your provider should clearly outline whether their CEUs are accepted in your state—and ideally offer state-specific CEU bundles tailored to your renewal requirements.
  • Clear Course Descriptions and Requirements: Legitimate providers will explain how many CEUs each course offers and how the exams and certifications work. If the details are vague, look for another provider. 
  • Instant Certificates and Reliable Recordkeeping: You should be able to download your CEU certificate immediately after passing the exam. Credible providers make audit preparation easy by offering digital certificates you can save for your records.

Can I Earn My CEUs Online?

Yes! Online CEUs are treated the same as in-person learning. What matters is accreditation—not where you take the course. As long as the provider is approved for AARC CEUs and meets your state’s rules, online coursework fully counts toward your license renewal.

And that’s exactly why choosing the right provider matters.

TheCEPlace is an AARC-accredited provider approved in all 50 states. We offer everything you need to complete your CEUs online, including:

Once you register, you’ll gain access to a wide variety of AARC-approved courses. All you need to do is select your state, see exactly how many CEUs you need, choose your courses, and complete them at your own pace. 

If you’re unsure which courses or requirements apply in your state, there’s an even easier way to find the exact information you need.

A Better Way to Check Your State’s CEU Requirements

Every state sets its own CEU rules, and those requirements change over time. Instead of trying to track 50 different regulations here, we recommend visiting the state pages on TheCEPlace website. Each page breaks down:

  • How many CEUs your state requires
  • How often you need to renew
  • Mandatory or traditional course requirements
  • Reporting rules, including CE Broker (where applicable)
  • Audit preparation guidelines

This gives you a clear, accurate overview of your state’s expectations—all in one place and always up to date.

How to Document Your CEUs 

This section is not needed because we store the certificates on their Certificates Tab so no need to create a folder on their desktop. You can state we store their certificates for them in case they are audited and need to show they completed the required CEUs.

Here’s the easiest way to stay on top of your documentation:

  • Create a digital folder for each renewal cycle
  • Save PDFs of your certificates as soon as you receive them
  • Keep a simple log of how many hours you’ve completed and which courses they came from
  • Store everything in one place so you can submit proof quickly if needed
  • Use a provider that simplifies recordkeeping

Earning Your CEUs Doesn’t Have to Be Stressful

Completing your CEUs matters—but completing them with the right provider makes all the difference. At TheCEPlace, we’re here to make continuing education easy and stress-free. With AARC-approved courses and 100% online learning, you can complete your CEUs at your own pace and feel confident knowing you’re fully in compliance. Contact us today!