Kentucky Respiratory Therapist CEUs: 24-Hour Biennial Renewal Guide

 

Each state sets its own requirements for respiratory therapist license renewal, and Kentucky follows a clearly defined standard. To maintain an active license, respiratory therapists in Kentucky must complete 24 continuing education units (CEUs) every two years.

This requirement is established under 201 KAR 29:050 and applies to both Certified Respiratory Therapists (CRT) and Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRT). The Kentucky Board of Respiratory Care oversees compliance to ensure all practitioners maintain clinical competency and uphold patient safety standards.

The 24-CEU Requirement

Kentucky requires all licensed respiratory therapists to complete exactly 24 CEUs during each two-year certification period.

This is a strict requirement:

  • All 24 hours must be completed within the active renewal cycle
  • Partial completion does not qualify for renewal
  • Missing hours may result in penalties or license suspension

This rule applies equally to both CRT and RRT credential holders, with no variation in the number of required hours.

Ethics Hour Requirement

As part of the 24 CEUs, Kentucky mandates at least 1 hour dedicated to ethics.

This ethics requirement:

  • Must specifically relate to respiratory care practice
  • Cannot be replaced with general clinical or elective topics
  • It is required for a complete renewal application

Failure to include the ethics hour may result in rejected CEU submissions during an audit or renewal review.

AARC and KBRC Approval Defines CEU Compliance in Kentucky

The Kentucky Board of Respiratory Care only accepts CEUs from two approved sources:

  1. American Association for Respiratory Care
  2. The KBRC itself

Any CEUs earned through a provider without these approvals are not valid for license renewal.

To ensure compliance, every CEU certificate must include:

  • Provider name
  • Approval body (AARC or KBRC)
  • Learner’s full name
  • Total CEU hours earned
  • Completion date

If any of these details are missing, the KBRC may reject the credits during an audit.

KBRC Compliance Checklist

Before submitting your renewal, verify:

  1. You have completed all 24 CEUs
  2. Your CEUs include the required ethics hour
  3. All courses are AARC- or KBRC-approved
  4. All CEUs were completed within the active certification period

Following this checklist ensures full compliance and avoids delays or penalties.

Where to Get Approved CEUs

Using an accredited provider simplifies the entire process. TheCEPlace offers AARC-approved courses designed to meet Kentucky requirements.

With an accredited platform, you can:

  • Access fully compliant CEU courses
  • Receive certificates with all required documentation
  • Track your progress throughout the renewal cycle
  • Ensure your credits are accepted without issue

Explore and complete your Kentucky CEU courses.

Certification Period and Deadlines

Kentucky follows a statewide two-year certification cycle from January 1 to December 31.

Key rules to follow:

  • CEUs must be completed within the active cycle
  • Credits do not carry over into the next period
  • Missing the deadline may result in license expiration

Because there is no grace period, completing CEUs early is strongly recommended.

Recordkeeping and Compliance

Respiratory therapists are responsible for maintaining their own CEU records. The KBRC may conduct audits, requiring proof of completed education.

Best practices include:

  • Keeping certificates for at least three years
  • Ensuring all CEUs meet approval requirements
  • Tracking progress throughout the cycle

Proper documentation helps prevent issues during renewal or audits.

Frequently Asked Questions 

How many CEUs are required for Kentucky respiratory therapists?

Kentucky respiratory therapists must complete 24 CEUs during every two-year certification period as mandated by 201 KAR 29:050. This requirement applies to all practitioners licensed by the Kentucky Board of Respiratory Care (KBRC), including both CRT and RRT credential holders. All 24 hours must be completed within the active biennial window to be eligible for license renewal.

Is an ethics CEU required in Kentucky?

Yes, at least one of the 24 required CEUs must specifically cover an ethics hour related to respiratory care practice. The KBRC mandates this as a distinct requirement under 201 KAR 29:050, meaning it cannot be waived or substituted with clinical topics. We provide AARC-approved ethics courses that fulfill this specific Kentucky RT license renewal condition.

Which providers are accepted by the KBRC for CEU credit?

The KBRC accepts CEU credits from providers that are either AARC-approved or KBRC-approved. Practitioners must ensure their completion certificates explicitly state the approval body and the provider’s identification number. Courses from non-approved third-party platforms or internal hospital in-services without these specific markers do not count toward the 24 CEUs required for renewal.

Finalizing Your Kentucky Respiratory Care Compliance

Successfully maintaining your Kentucky RT license requires meeting the 24-CEU requirement within the January 1–December 31 biennial cycle, including the mandatory ethics hour and proper documentation. By following the KBRC Compliance Checklist, you can ensure your credits meet all AARC and KBRC standards and avoid delays or penalties.

By making TheCEPlace your go-to place for respiratory therapist CEUs in Kentucky, you get the most updated courses all in one place. We offer a wide variety of high-quality, affordable CEUs approved by the AARC.

You can easily register online to gain access to our courses. Take each course and complete the test at your convenience. Take the test as many times as needed for successful completion, and instantly download your certificate for your records. 

If you’re ready to take the next step in advancing your career, register with TheCEPlace today.