Thank you for your interest in obtaining Continuing Respiratory Care Education (CRCE®) accreditation for your continuing education activity. The following information can assist you in determining if you want to submit your planned educational activity for review. You should also review the detailed information in the document titled AARC CRCE Policy Manual which you can download by clicking on the hyperlink. Because our policies will likely change, you be sure that the application packet you are using is current. The month and date of the revision will be identified on the document cover. The most current revision date is 4-2008.
Continuing Education DefinedContinuing education programs considered for AARC CRCE approval consists of learning experiences designed to strengthen and expand the knowledge and skills of respiratory therapists involved in respiratory therapy practice, education, administration and research.
Inservice education for activities that fulfill assigned responsibilities specific to the expectations of employers will not be approved for CRCE contact hours. Examples of these activities include sessions covering general institutional policies and procedures and orientation to the facility.
CRCE Approval CriteriaThe content of the course or program shall be relevant to the scope of practice of respiratory care. This includes
- All areas addressed by the RRT®, CRT®, RPFT®, CPFT®, RPSGT®, and AE-C® examination content outlines.
- Emerging technology and its application in the delivery of respiratory care
Courses and/or programs not directly related to the direct application of patient care may be acceptable if the course or program relates to any of the following:
- Education, supervision, and management.
- Health care cost containment or cost management.
- Preventative health services and health promotion
- Medical ethics and legal aspects of health care
- Patient Safety
- Bioterrorism
AARC CRCE Continuing Education Program StandardsThe American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) is committed to providing high quality continuing education programs to meet the professional needs of respiratory therapists. The AARC’s Continuing Respiratory Care Education (CRCE®) system adheres to high standards of excellence by assuring that each accredited educational program:
- Is planned in response to needs identified for a particular group of respiratory therapists.
- Has specific written behavioral outcomes (objectives).
- Is planned and conducted by qualified individuals.
- Provides program content and instructional methods based on the specified learning outcomes.
- Includes methods to evaluate a participant’s attainment of the specified learning outcomes.
- Awards a number of CRCE contact hours that accurately reflect instructional time required.
Additionally the sponsors (providers) of CRCE accredited programs must furnish accurate information to potential participants about course content, the number of contact hours awarded, the requirements for successful course completion, and a list of faculty members. For each course participant, the sponsor must issue a certificate of completion, report their participation to the AARC, and maintain records of their attendance.
Applying for Approval of a Continuing Education ActivityTraditional and Non-Traditional Programs: There are two basic types of programs that can be approved: those in which the learning is principally directed by the provider, commonly called traditional (292 KB zip file) programs, most commonly in the form of lectures but can be a web cast, or participation in viewing a video or audio presentation. Any of these are considered traditional programs so long as there is a means for the learner to communicate with the presenter in real time. Programs in which the participants study provided learning materials at their own pace and in a place of their choosing are commonly known as non-traditional (292 KB zip file) programs. The learner must demonstrate their mastery of the course content by passing an examination to earn CRCE contact hours for their participation in non-traditional activities. An examination is not required for traditional courses.
You can download the application packet for each type of program by clicking on the hyperlinks above. Each packet contains the forms that must be completed, instructions for competing these forms, and examples of the completed forms. By completing this form you will provide the information required for the AARC to determine whether your educational activity can be approved for continuing education contact hours. Since this form may change over time to reflect changes in policy and procedures, you should always download this form each time you submit an educational activity for approval. This form may be opened in your word processing software, completed, and submitted either electronically as an email attachment or as a hard copy that you can submit by mail. Applications must be computer generated or typewritten. Handwritten applications will not be accepted.
Any questions can be emailed to CRCE@aarc.org or you may call the AARC CRCE Coordinator for telephone assistance at 972-243-2272.