Respiratory Therapy students accomplish perfect pass rate on national certifying exam

The Respiratory Therapy Class of 2026 at the West Virginia University School of Medicine achieved a 100% high-cut pass rate on the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) examination.

The exam, which consists of 160 questions, evaluates the knowledge of entry-level respiratory therapists. Passing the TMC exam earns graduates the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credential. Performance on the exam also determines eligibility to take the Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE), the second examination required to earn the advanced Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential.

The exam has two passing levels. The first is the low-cut score that provides the CRT credential. The second is the high-cut score that not only provides the CRT credential but also qualifies students to advance directly to the Clinical Simulation Examination. Every member of the WVU Respiratory Therapy Class of 2026 achieved the high-cut score, an accomplishment that reflects the program's commitment to preparing graduates for success in the profession.

“Our WVU BSRT program was designed to provide the most comprehensive educational experience, with a focus on successful outcomes for our students. Our students are challenged daily with the latest theories and applications to allow them to develop strong critical thinking skills, which are vital to navigate the NBRC board examinations successfully,” Mike Mehall, M.Ed., RRT, RRT-NPS, RRT-ACCS, CPFT, founding director of the WVU Respiratory Therapy program, said. “I believe that our program’s educational methodology comprehensively prepares our graduates to successfully manage the rigors of the NBRC examinations.”

The national high-cut pass rate for the TMC exam in 2025 was 68.2%. A passing score is required to practice as a licensed respiratory therapist.

“The WVU Respiratory Therapy program did an excellent job preparing me for the NBRC examinations and for my career as a respiratory therapist,” Alyssa Weaver, Respiratory Therapy Class of 2026, said. “The coursework, clinical experiences and board-style review materials helped reinforce the concepts that appeared on the exam and gave me confidence going into test day. What stood out most was the support from the faculty and the dedication of my classmates. Our class showed up every day to learn, ask questions, and help one another succeed. I believe the combination of strong instruction, hands-on clinical experience, and a motivated group of students played a major role in our class achieving a 100% pass rate.”

After graduation, Weaver accepted a position as a respiratory therapist at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

The WVU Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy (BSRT) program is one of two BSRT programs in West Virginia, and the only program in the northern part of the state.

Students learn in a dedicated respiratory therapy laboratory space that includes full medical gases and 20 state-of-the-art ventilators, which ensure hands-on learning opportunities to prepare them to work under the direction of doctors to treat a wide range of patients who have difficulties breathing in a variety of inpatient or outpatient settings. They also train side-by-side with providers from WVU Medicine, the University’s academic medical center partner, for their training and clinical rotations.

“The WVU BSRT graduates and their success epitomize what WVU stands for: hard work and grit, excellence in education, prioritizing student success and great career outcomes,” Mehall said. “It is truly an honor to be a small part of this amazing success story.”

To learn more about Respiratory Therapy at WVU, visit medicine.wvu.edu/respiratory-therapy/.