NBRC · RT
NBRC Respiratory Therapy Examination (formerly TMC) practice exams
NBRC's Respiratory Therapy Examination (replacing the TMC in 2027) — practice patient data, devices, interventions and clinical judgment, with every answer explained.
Or read 15 sample questions with answers.
About the RT exam
Starting January 1, 2027, NBRC's Respiratory Therapy Examination replaces the Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) exam. One exam with two cut scores leads to the CRT or RRT credential, and there is no separate Clinical Simulation Examination.
Our practice bank follows the 2027 outline: a Breadth of Knowledge portion (patient data, devices and safety, interventions) and a Depth of Clinical Judgment portion built around adult, pediatric and neonatal cases.
The real exam
Public information published by NBRC. A ExamWize practice exam matches this format — it is not a copy of the exam's contents.
- Format
- 185 multiple-choice items (160 scored, 25 pretest) in 4 hours: 100 Breadth of Knowledge items and 60 Depth of Clinical Judgment items.
- Cost
- NBRC lists exam fees on its website — check NBRC for current pricing.
- Scoring
- Two cut scores: the lower earns the CRT, the higher earns the RRT. NBRC does not publish a percent-correct equivalent, so practice scores here use a 70% line as an estimate, not a prediction.
- Validity
- Credential maintenance follows NBRC's Credential Maintenance Program — check NBRC for current requirements.
Practice by exam topic
ExamWize practice exams draw questions in these same proportions, from a bank of 596 RT questions. Open a topic for what it covers and free questions with answers.
Who it's for
- Respiratory therapy students graduating in 2027 and later
- Graduates preparing for the CRT or RRT credential
- TMC candidates checking the new exam's content
How to prepare
- Interventions are half of the Breadth portion — master airway care, oxygen therapy, ventilation and pharmacology.
- Practice interpreting ABGs, pulmonary function tests and chest radiographs quickly.
- Work through adult cases on COPD, ARDS, heart failure and trauma, plus neonatal resuscitation.
- For each case, decide what to assess first and what to add, change or stop.
See the free RT cheat sheet for a one-page domain summary, and the content policy for how these questions are written.
Free RT practice resources
- 15 free RT practice questionsSpread across the exam's topics, each with the answer and an explanation for every option.
- Free 10-question diagnosticA quick, scored check of where you stand, with no account needed.
- RT cheat sheetThe topics and the facts that come up most, on one page.
- RT study guideHow to plan your preparation.
RT exam FAQ
- What is the format of the RT exam?
- 185 multiple-choice items (160 scored, 25 pretest) in 4 hours: 100 Breadth of Knowledge items and 60 Depth of Clinical Judgment items.
- How much does the RT exam cost?
- NBRC lists exam fees on its website — check NBRC for current pricing.
- How is the RT exam scored?
- Two cut scores: the lower earns the CRT, the higher earns the RRT. NBRC does not publish a percent-correct equivalent, so practice scores here use a 70% line as an estimate, not a prediction.
- How long is the credential valid?
- Credential maintenance follows NBRC's Credential Maintenance Program — check NBRC for current requirements.
- How many RT practice questions does ExamWize have?
- 596 original practice questions, drawn into full practice exams in the same format and domain proportions as the real RT. Every option has its own explanation.
- Are these real RT exam questions?
- No. Every question is original, written from NBRC's public content outline — never copied from the real exam or from exam dumps. They match the real exam's format, not its contents.
- Can I try ExamWize for free?
- Yes. The free diagnostic has 10 RT practice questions with a full explanation for every answer, and no account is needed.