Qualified Preceptorship
Some Respiratory Care Practitioners (RCPs) may qualify to earn continuing education (CE) credit by serving as a preceptor and providing direct supervision and clinical instruction to students enrolled in an approved respiratory care education program at a licensed facility.
When eligibility requirements are met, preceptorship may count toward RCP Leadership CE and, in some cases, toward the live CE requirement.
CE credit for preceptorship applies only to supervision and instruction of students in an approved respiratory care education program. It does not apply to orientation, training, or supervision of new or existing employees.
Eligibility Requirements
To earn CE credit for preceptorship, an RCP must meet all of the following requirements:
- Hold a valid, current, and unrestricted California RCP license.
- Hold a current and valid Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential.
- Have practiced at least 4,000 hours as an RCP within the last five (5) years.
- Have completed a preceptor course within the last four years, provided by the AARC, CSRC, or a licensed health care facility using AARC or CSRC course materials.
- Be employed by a licensed facility to provide patient care as an RCP.
CE Credit for Preceptorship
When all eligibility requirements are met, CE credit may be earned for time spent providing direct supervision and clinical instruction to students.
CE credit amounts per renewal cycle are as follows:
- 5 CE hours for 500–999 hours of preceptorship
- 10 CE hours for 1,000–1,499 hours of preceptorship
- 15 CE hours for 1,500 or more hours of preceptorship
Preceptorship CE credit may be applied toward the RCP Leadership CE requirement and may also count toward the live CE requirement, when applicable.
Preceptor Course CE Credit
RCPs may also earn CE credit for completing an approved preceptor course.
CE credit for a preceptor course is calculated as double the actual course hours, up to a maximum of six (6) CE hours per renewal cycle. These hours count toward the RCP Leadership requirement and may count toward the live CE requirement if the course meets live CE criteria.
Preceptor Course Instructors
RCPs who teach approved preceptor courses may also qualify to earn CE credit for actual time spent teaching.
To qualify, the instructor must:
- Hold a valid, current, and unrestricted California RCP license.
- Hold a current and valid Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential.
- Have practiced at least 8,000 hours as an RCP within the six (6) years immediately preceding instruction.
- Be employed by a licensed health care facility or designated by the AARC or CSRC to provide the education.
CE credit for teaching preceptor courses is calculated on an hour-for-hour basis, up to a maximum of ten (10) CE hours per renewal cycle. These hours may count toward RCP Leadership CE and the live CE requirement.
This does not include instruction provided as part of employment as an educator or clinical instructor for a respiratory care education program.
Documentation
RCPs claiming CE credit for preceptorship must retain documentation supporting eligibility and hours claimed for four (4) years. Preceptor CE Verification Forms are available for optional use.
Preceptor CE Verification Form (PDF)
If you have questions about CE you can contact the Respiratory Care Board using the form below.
