What Are AARC CEUs and Why Do They Matter?
What Are AARC CEUs and Why Do They Matter?
If you’re a respiratory therapist, you already know CEUs are required. What might be less clear is which CEUs actually count—and whether they must be approved by the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC).
That distinction matters more than many therapists realize, particularly when it comes to license renewal and credential maintenance. Here’s why.
What Are AARC CEUs?
AARC CEUs are continuing education units that have been reviewed and approved by the American Association for Respiratory Care. They are designed specifically for respiratory therapists and meet nationally recognized professional standards.
To put it simply, AARC approval is important because it signals that the course:
- Is relevant to respiratory care practice
- Meets quality and competency standards
- Is broadly accepted across states, including Puerto Rico
For therapists navigating different state rules and credentialing requirements, AARC-approved CEUs offer the safest way to ensure their education will be accepted.
What AARC Approval Actually Means
The American Association for Respiratory Care isn’t a licensing board, but its approval carries weight.
When a CEU course is AARC-approved, it means the course has been reviewed for relevance, quality in respiratory care, and is widely accepted for license renewal and credential maintenance.
In practical terms, AARC approval gives you reassurance that:
- Your CEUs will be accepted by most state licensing boards
- Your education aligns with expectations for CRT and RRT renewal
- You’re not guessing whether a course will count
Checking for AARC approval is a simple way to avoid unnecessary surprises. It helps avoid extra verification, last-minute surprises, and the stress that comes with them.
Why AARC Approval Makes a Practical Difference
Just because CEUs aren’t AARC-approved doesn’t automatically mean they’re invalid. But it does mean therapists may need to:
- Confirm acceptance with their state licensing board
- Verify whether hours count toward The National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) credential renewal
- Provide additional documentation during audits
- Risk discovering late in the renewal cycle that certain CEUs don’t qualify
AARC-approved CEUs eliminate that guesswork.
AARC CEU Requirements and Accepted Course Types
The AARC doesn’t set a single CEU requirement for every Respiratory Therapist. How many hours you need (and how often) depends on your state licensing board and, if you hold national credentials, the NBRC.
For most therapists, that means completing 12 to 30 CEUs over a one-, two-, or three-year renewal cycle.
With CEU requirements varying by state and credential, many therapists don’t just want approved courses—they want to feel confident they’re choosing the right ones.
That’s where The CE Place comes in.
Our courses are not only AARC-approved, but they are accepted in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Beyond that, our team also helps therapists make sense of their specific requirements.
If you’re unsure which CEUs apply to your state or credentials, we can help point you in the right direction so you’re not left guessing or sorting through regulations on your own.
A Simpler Way to Stay Compliant
Sorting out CEUs can be frustrating, particularly when you want to be sure everything counts. Whether you have questions about state requirements or you’re ready to enroll, we’re available to help you sort it out. Contact us today!
