Becoming a licensed respiratory therapist in California requires completing a Respiratory Care Education Program that meets specific accreditation standards. According to Business and Professions Code section 3740(a), all applicants must graduate from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) or its successor. Furthermore, these programs must be associated with an institution or university holding regional accreditation recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, and award at least an associate degree. Choosing the right respiratory care education program is a crucial first step in your healthcare career.
To assist prospective respiratory therapists in California, we have compiled a list of CoARC-approved education programs. This list is designed to provide you with the essential information needed to begin your journey toward becoming a qualified respiratory care professional. Below, you will find contact details, website links, and program director information for each accredited program in California. We encourage you to explore these resources to find the program that best fits your educational and career aspirations.
CoARC Accredited Respiratory Care Programs in California
Below is a comprehensive list of respiratory care education programs in California that are accredited by CoARC. Each listing includes the institution name, location, website, program director’s name, and contact phone number. For further details about program performance, including pass/fail rates, please refer to the 2019-2024 Program Pass/Fail Rates document provided by CoARC.
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American Career College – Ontario
- Address: 3130 East Sedona Court Ontario, CA 91764
- Website: http://americancareercollege.edu
- Program Director: Samuel Agrigoroae
- Phone: (909) 218-3308
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Antelope Valley College – Lancaster
- Address: 3041 West Avenue K Lancaster, CA 93536
- Website: www.avc.edu
- Program Director: Wendy Stout
- Phone: (661) 722-6300
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Carrington College – Pleasant Hill
- Address: 380 Civic Drive, Suite 300 Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
- Website: www.carrington.edu
- Program Director: Rita A. Ga, BS, RRT, RCP
- Phone: (925) 273-3922
- Email: [email protected]
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Concorde Career College – North Hollywood
- Address: 12412 Victory Boulevard North Hollywood, CA 91606
- Website: www.concorde.edu
- Program Director: Joseph Curry
- Phone: (818) 766-8151
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Crafton Hills College – Yucaipa
- Address: 11711 Sand Canyon Road Yucaipa, CA 92399
- Website: www.craftonhills.edu
- Program Director: Michael Sheahan
- Phone: (909) 389-3283
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El Camino Community College – Torrance
- Address: 16007 Crenshaw Boulevard Torrance, CA 90506
- Website: www.elcamino.edu
- Program Director: Roy Mekaru
- Phone: (310) 660-3593
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Fresno City College – Fresno
- Address: 1101 East University Avenue Fresno, CA 93741
- Website: www.fresnocitycollege.edu
- Program Director: Diana Day
- Phone: (559) 244-2631
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Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts
- Address: 4712 Stoddard Rd #200 Modesto, CA 95356
- Website: https://www.gurnick.edu
- Program Director: Cristina Ramirez
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: (209) 809-3212
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Loma Linda University – Loma Linda
- Address: 11131 Anderson Street Loma Linda, CA 92350
- Website: www.llu.edu
- Program Director: Abdullah Alismail
- Phone: (909) 558-4932
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Modesto Junior College – Modesto
- Address: 435 College Avenue Modesto, CA 95350
- Website: www.mjc.edu
- Program Director: Bonnie Hunt
- Phone: (209) 575-6381
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Napa Valley College – Napa
- Address: 2277 Napa-Vallejo Highway Napa, CA 94558
- Website: www.napavalley.edu
- Program Director: Ricardo Guzman, MA, RRT, RCP
- Phone: (707) 256-7629
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Orange Coast College – Costa Mesa
- Address: 2701 Fairview Road P.O. Box 5005 Costa Mesa, CA 92628
- Website: www.orangecoastcollege.edu
- Program Director: Alison Riggio
- Phone: (714) 432-5502
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Platt College – Alhambra
- Address: 1000 S. Fremont Avenue, A9 West Alhambra, CA 91803
- Website: http://plattcollege.edu
- Program Director: Nichole McZeal
- Phone Number: (626) 300 5444
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San Joaquin Valley College – Bakersfield
- Address: 201 New Stine Road Bakersfield, CA 93309
- Website: www.sjvc.edu
- Program Director: Michael Valverde, BSRT, RRT, RRT-NPS
- Phone: (661) 834-0126
- Email: [email protected]
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San Joaquin Valley College – Rancho Cordova
- Address: 11050 Olson Drive, Suite 210 Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
- Website: www.sjvc.edu
- Program Director: Elma Dos Santos
- Phone: (530) 417-1329
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San Joaquin Valley College – Visalia
- Address: 8344 West Mineral King Visalia, CA 93291
- Website: www.sjvc.edu
- Program Director: Kristal Alvarez
- Phone: (559) 651-2500
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Simi Institute for Careers and Education – Simi Valley
- Address: 1880 Blackstock Ave. Simi Valley, CA 93065
- Website: www.simiinstitute.org
- Program Director: Becky Jeffrey
- Phone: (805) 579-6200, ext. 1737
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Victor Valley Community College – Victorville
- Address: 18422 Bear Valley Road Victorville, CA 92395
- Website: www.vvc.edu
- Program Director: Traci Marin
- Phone: (760) 245-4271, ext 2463
This list is based on the most current information available and is intended to be a helpful starting point in your search for a respiratory care education program. We advise prospective students to visit the websites of these institutions and contact the program directors directly to obtain the most up-to-date information and to determine which program best aligns with their individual needs and career goals. Choosing a CoARC accredited program is not just a requirement for licensure; it’s an investment in a high-quality education that will prepare you for a successful and rewarding career in respiratory care.
