Professional Qualifications Committee - Working Timeline

September 28, 2014

California Governor Jerry Brown signed Senate Bill 850 (Block, 2014), authorizing the California Community Colleges Board of Governors to establish a statewide baccalaureate degree pilot program at 15 California community colleges. In May 2015, the Board of Governors approved 15 colleges to participate. In Spring of 2018, the first graduates of the Baccalaureate Degree Program received their degrees.

May 1, 2017

The Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies at UCSF conducted a study examining key challenges in California’s respiratory care workforce. Through interviews, surveys, and focus groups, the study found gaps in critical thinking, evidence-based practice, and consistency in clinical training among new graduates. It recommended raising the minimum education requirement to a bachelor’s degree to better prepare respiratory therapists for clinical demands.
California Respiratory Care Workforce Study

2017

As part of the 2017–2021 Strategic Plan, the RCB identified a goal to develop an action plan to incorporate a baccalaureate degree provision in the Respiratory Care Practice Act (RCPA), ensuring education requirements meet the field's demands.
2017-2021 Respiratory Care Board Strategic Plan

May 2019

The American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) issued a position statement recommending that, by 2030, respiratory therapists entering practice hold at least a baccalaureate degree and the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential. The AARC emphasized that raising educational and credentialing standards is critical to ensuring safe, effective patient care and meeting the demands of a more complex healthcare environment.
AARC Entry to Respiratory Therapy Practice 2030 Issue Paper

May 17, 2021

The California Society for Respiratory Care (CSRC) issued a position statement supporting a baccalaureate degree (or equivalent) as the minimum requirement for respiratory care licensure by 2030. The CSRC emphasized the need for advanced critical thinking skills to support independent practice and improve patient outcomes, and encouraged practitioners aiming for leadership, research, or education roles to pursue graduate degrees. This position aligns with national efforts to raise professional standards.
CSRC Position Statement on Minimum Education Requirements

June 30, 2021

At the June 30, 2021, Board meeting, the Professional Qualifications Committee (PQC) discussed incorporating a baccalaureate degree requirement into the Respiratory Care Practice Act. Led by Raymond Hernandez and Michael Terry, the discussion emphasized the evolving role of respiratory therapists, national initiatives to raise standards, and the Board’s strategic plan to align education with advancing practice demands. The committee also acknowledged potential challenges related to workforce impact and program availability.
Presentation: Incorporation of a Baccalaureate Degree in the Respiratory Care Practice Act
Reference Materials
June 30, 2021, Meeting Minutes

October 20, 2021

At the October 20, 2021, Board meeting, President Guzman led a discussion on CoARC’s proposal to allow new respiratory care education programs to offer associate degrees due to staffing shortages and low enrollment. Board members expressed concerns about reversing progress toward baccalaureate standards, with Mr. Terry volunteering to provide testimony in opposition. Public comments largely supported maintaining higher education requirements, and the Board emphasized its role in protecting program quality and consumer safety.
CoARC: Proposed Change to Accreditation Standard 1.01, Reversing Associate Degree Prohibition
October 20, 2021 Meeting Minutes

November 23, 2021

At the November 23, 2021, Board meeting, the PQC discussed supporting Crafton Hills College's proposal to establish a Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care program, utilizing AB 927 to offer baccalaureate degrees at community colleges. While the Board expressed support for the concept of such programs, concerns were raised about endorsing specific institutions. The importance of program accreditation and evaluation metrics, such as completion and success rates, was emphasized. The Board ultimately approved a letter of support for the Crafton Hills College program, contingent on meeting accreditation standards.
Letter of Support: Establishment of Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care Program at Crafton Hills College
November 23, 2021 Meeting Mintes

March 24, 2022

At the March 24, 2022, Board meeting, the PQC reviewed academic requirements for respiratory therapists, drawing from the 2017 Respiratory Care Workforce Study and employer feedback. The discussion focused on the potential benefits of a baccalaureate degree, with key findings highlighting the need for enhanced critical thinking in graduates and support for baccalaureate-level education to improve professional standing. Employer perspectives from organizations like Kaiser and UCSF were also shared, considering the impact of higher education on both workforce development and employers. The Board acknowledged the need for further evaluation and feedback before taking action.
Presentation: Incorporation of a Baccalaureate Degree Requirement in Respiratory Care Practice Act

President Guzman also reported that CoARC held a hearing in December on a proposal to amend Accreditation Standard 1.01, potentially allowing new respiratory care programs to offer associate degrees instead of requiring a baccalaureate degree. Mr. Hernandez and Mr. Terry attended the hearing and expressed the Board’s opposition to the proposal. Mr. Hernandez explained that while CoARC had previously stopped accrediting new associate degree programs in 2017, it has now decided to reinstate accreditation and is seeking input from state boards and professional organizations on entry-level education. No public comments were received at the Board meeting.
COARC: Proposed Change to Accreditation Standard 1.01, Reversing Associate Degree Prohibition Update
March 24, 2022 Meeting Minutes

June 9, 2022

At the June 9, 2022, Board meeting, the Board discussed integrating a baccalaureate degree requirement into the Respiratory Care Practice Act to enhance the qualifications of respiratory care practitioners in California. Key points included a presentation from the Professional Qualifications Committee on how the change could improve patient care and align with national trends. Feedback from stakeholders highlighted both support for enhanced clinical skills and concerns about workforce shortages and the impact on current professionals. The Board also discussed implementation logistics, including grandfathering provisions and bridge programs. The regulatory process for amending the Act was outlined, with an emphasis on transparent communication and stakeholder engagement.
Professional Qualifications Committee Presentation: Incorporation of a Baccalaureate Degree Requirement in Respiratory Care Practice Act
June 9, 2022 Meeting Minutes

October 28, 2022

At the October 28, 2022, Board meeting, the Professional Qualifications Committee (PQC) provided an update on their efforts to define minimum qualifications for respiratory care practitioners. The committee has conducted three study sessions and is exploring different models for setting qualifications. They are engaging discipline experts through focus groups and will gather feedback from a survey before finalizing their recommendations. Mr. Hernandez highlighted that this process mirrors the 2000 decision to establish the associate degree as the minimum qualification for licensure. Vice President Goldstein suggested including home care as an area of expertise, and Mr. Kbushyan inquired about residency and licensure timelines, which are still under review.
Professional Qualifications Committee Update
October 28, 2022 Meeting Minutes

March 9, 2023

At the March 9, 2023, Board meeting, Mr. Hernandez and Mr. Terry provided an update on their efforts to integrate a baccalaureate degree requirement into respiratory care licensing qualifications. The committee has been working for nearly two years, evaluating national trends and gathering input from expert focus groups. Concerns about the impact on current practitioners were addressed, with changes proposed for future respiratory therapists. A final report will be presented to the Board in June.

The Board also voted to adopt the 2023-2027 Strategic Plan, which includes goals 2.3 to evaluate current respiratory care educational requirements and revise, as necessary, to support practice standards and patient safety, and 2.4 to collaborate with professional organizations and schools to perform a needs assessment for the advanced respiratory practitioner role in California to address the projected shortage of physicians and the evolving role of being a physician extender.
2023-2027 Strategic Plan
March 9, 2023 Meeting Minutes

March 2023

In March 2023, the PQC conducted focus groups with respiratory care professionals to explore perceptions on educational preparation. Key findings included broad support for a baccalaureate degree as a minimum licensure standard, with benefits such as improved clinical training and better staff retention. Some questioned if the degree must be in respiratory care. There was also support for tiered licensure, while concerns were raised about the impact on out-of-state applicants, which the Board aims to address through equitable regulation.
Professional Qualifications Committee (PQC) Focus Groups Summary

June 22, 2023

At the June 22, 2023, Board meeting, the PQC provided an update on their ongoing exploration of a baccalaureate degree requirement for respiratory care practitioners (RCPs). Focus group feedback showed support for the degree, citing benefits like improved clinical training and retention. Concerns were raised about the impact on out-of-state applicants and workforce shortages. The committee recommended further data collection, exploration of tiered licensure, and studies on how education levels affect patient safety. Next steps include promoting baccalaureate programs and developing a comprehensive implementation plan.
Professional Qualifications Committee (PQC) Focus Groups Summary
June 22, 2023 Meeting Minutes

October 24, 2023

At the October 24, 2023, Board meeting, Mr. Hernandez updated the Board on the PQC's progress regarding Strategic Plan Goals 2.3 and 2.4. The committee has focused on advocating for increased higher education capacity for respiratory therapists and gathering more data through a statewide survey. The PQC recommended expanding baccalaureate degree programs and is developing a survey for broader stakeholder feedback. SEIU raised concerns about workforce impacts, and the committee clarified that changes would affect future licensees only. The survey findings will be shared at a future meeting.
October 24, 2023 Meeting Minutes

March 28, 2024

At the March 28, 2024, Board meeting, the PQC provided an update on its two-year project to evaluate and potentially modify education requirements for respiratory care practitioners (RCPs). The committee has reviewed case studies, conducted focus groups, and made key recommendations, including advocating for baccalaureate degree programs. A survey will be conducted to gather input from the public and professionals, with findings to be presented at a future meeting. Compensation for RCPs was also discussed but was noted as outside the Board’s jurisdiction.
Draft 2024 Workforce Survey for Review, Discussion and Possible Action
March 28, 2024 Meeting Minutes

April 9, 2024 – May 31, 2024

The PQC launched the California Respiratory Care Educational Requirements Survey from April 9 to May 31, 2024, receiving 1,893 responses with a 47% completion rate. Respondent demographics aligned with prior workforce data. Regarding education, most started with an associate’s degree, and 71% had not pursued further education. When asked about a baccalaureate degree requirement by 2030, 45% agreed, while 55% disagreed. Common solutions to address gaps in clinical readiness included more or better clinical experience, residency programs, and improved education quality. AARC and CSRC support the degree requirement by 2030, but multi-tiered licensure systems were not favored.
2024 California Respiratory Care Educational Requirements Survey Results

October 14, 2024

At the October 14, 2024, Board meeting, Vice President Hernandez presented the results of a survey on respiratory care practitioner education and licensure, discussing the potential shift to a baccalaureate degree as a minimum requirement. While 45% of survey respondents supported this change, there were concerns about its impact on the workforce and diversity. Focus groups and stakeholders generally supported the idea, citing improved clinical training and patient safety, though challenges related to education costs and clinical workforce availability were highlighted. The PQC will continue gathering feedback and exploring options to ensure RCPs are adequately prepared.
2024 California Respiratory Care Educational Requirements Survey Results
October 14, 2024 Meeting Minutes

February 5, 2025, to February 12, 2025

The California Respiratory Care Program Education Requirements Survey was distributed to respiratory care program directors from February 5 to February 12, 2025, to gather data on program requirements. Of 36 programs invited, 19 responded. The survey revealed that prerequisite courses and unit requirements for the Respiratory Care Major varied by program, with some programs discussing reductions in major coursework units. There were concerns about maintaining clinical competency despite these reductions, with some institutions focusing on clearer standards for clinical hours and major coursework.
California Respiratory Care Program Education Requirements Survey Results

March 13, 2025

At the March 13, 2025, Board meeting, the PQC provided an update on educational requirements, revisiting the results of the California Respiratory Care Educational Requirements Survey and discussing findings from the California Respiratory Care Program Education Requirements Survey. Vice President Hernandez clarified the differences between AS and AOS degrees and highlighted variations in clinical hour requirements across programs. Public comments supported raising educational standards, with significant backing for a baccalaureate degree requirement. The CSRC and UC Collaborative also endorsed the shift, emphasizing better patient outcomes and professional development. The PQC plans to review additional public feedback and prepare a recommendation for the June meeting, with the final proposal to be discussed in October.
California Respiratory Care Program Education Requirements Survey Results
CSRC Managers Association Letter
CSRC Professional Advancement Committee Letter
UC Collaborative Letter