Exam Guide
The TMC is the entry-level credentialing exam for respiratory therapists, administered by the NBRC. A passing score earns the CRT credential; a higher score on the same exam earns RRT eligibility.
160
Questions
3 Hours
Time Limit
140
Scored Items
$190
Exam Fee
ABG interpretation, pulmonary function testing, chest X-ray evaluation, patient assessment, and clinical recommendations.
Respiratory care equipment operation, troubleshooting malfunctions, ventilator alarms, and quality control procedures.
Therapeutic procedures, pharmacology, airway management, mechanical ventilation, emergency care, and weaning protocols.
The TMC uses scaled scoring with two cut points. The lower cut score earns the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credential. The higher cut score earns eligibility for the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential. Both outcomes come from the same exam - there is no separate RRT exam at the TMC level.
Your study strategy should target the RRT-level score from the start. The content is the same - you just need a deeper command of it.
Candidates must hold an associate degree (or higher) from a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program. Graduation from the program is required before sitting for the exam.
The TMC rewards candidates who can make clinical decisions quickly. The most effective prep combines flashcards for factual recall (drug names, normal values, equipment specs) with scenario-based practice questions that mirror real exam items.
NBRCprep provides 1,500+ flashcards, 100+ timed practice exams, and detailed clinical explanations for every answer.