Considering a career in respiratory care in California? You’ve made a great choice! Respiratory therapists are essential healthcare professionals who play a critical role in helping patients breathe easier. To become a licensed respiratory therapist in California, graduating from an accredited respiratory care program is a mandatory first step. These programs provide the necessary education and training to excel in this rewarding field.
California law, specifically Business and Professions Code section 3740(a), mandates that all licensure applicants must complete a respiratory care education program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC). Furthermore, candidates must hold a minimum of an associate degree from a regionally accredited institution. Choosing a CoARC-accredited program ensures that you meet these requirements and receive high-quality education recognized nationwide.
Why Choose a CoARC Accredited Respiratory Care Program?
Accreditation by CoARC signifies that a respiratory care program has met rigorous standards for quality and effectiveness. This is crucial for several reasons:
- Licensure Eligibility: As stated by California law, graduation from a CoARC-accredited program is a prerequisite for obtaining your respiratory therapist license. Without it, you cannot legally practice respiratory care in California.
- Quality Education: CoARC accreditation ensures that the program curriculum, faculty, resources, and student outcomes meet established professional benchmarks. You can be confident that you will receive comprehensive training and be well-prepared for your career.
- Employer Recognition: Employers in the healthcare industry highly value graduates from accredited programs. It demonstrates that you have received a standardized and recognized education, making you a more competitive job candidate.
- Professional Advancement: Accreditation can be important for future career advancement and further education opportunities within respiratory care and related healthcare fields.
List of CoARC Accredited Respiratory Care Programs in California
Below is a comprehensive list of CoARC-accredited respiratory care programs currently available in California. This list is essential for prospective students looking for reputable and recognized educational pathways in respiratory therapy. For your convenience, we’ve compiled the program names, locations, website links, and contact information for each institution. This information is current as of 2024 and is designed to help you begin your journey towards becoming a respiratory therapist.
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American Career College – Ontario
- Address: 3130 East Sedona Court Ontario, CA 91764
- Website: American Career College Respiratory Therapy Program
- 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: Antelope Valley College Respiratory Therapy Program
- 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: Carrington College Pleasant Hill Respiratory Therapy Program
- 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: Concorde Career College Respiratory Therapy Program
- 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: Crafton Hills College Respiratory Therapy Program
- 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: El Camino College Respiratory Therapy Program
- 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: Fresno City College Respiratory Therapy Program
- Program Director: Diana Day
- Phone: (559) 244-2631
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Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts – Modesto
- Address: 4712 Stoddard Rd #200 Modesto, CA 95356
- Website: Gurnick Academy Respiratory Therapy Program
- 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: Loma Linda University Respiratory Therapy Program
- Program Director: Abdullah Alismail
- Phone: (909) 558-4932
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Modesto Junior College – Modesto
- Address: 435 College Avenue Modesto, CA 95350
- Website: Modesto Junior College Respiratory Therapy Program
- 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: Napa Valley College Respiratory Therapy Program
- 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: Orange Coast College Respiratory Therapy Program
- 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: Platt College Respiratory Therapy Program
- 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: San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield Respiratory Therapy Program
- 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: San Joaquin Valley College Rancho Cordova Respiratory Therapy Program
- 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: San Joaquin Valley College Visalia Respiratory Therapy Program
- 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: Simi Institute Respiratory Therapy Program
- 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: Victor Valley College Respiratory Therapy Program
- Program Director: Traci Marin
- Phone: (760) 245-4271, ext 2463
Understanding Program Pass/Fail Rates
Choosing the right respiratory care program involves more than just location and convenience. It’s also wise to consider program outcomes, such as pass/fail rates on credentialing exams. These rates can offer insights into the program’s effectiveness in preparing students for professional practice. The 2019-2024 Program Pass/Fail Rates document linked in the original article provides valuable data that you can use to further evaluate program performance. While pass/fail rates are just one factor, they can be a helpful metric when comparing different programs.
Take Your First Breath Towards a Respiratory Care Career
Embarking on a career in respiratory care is a significant and rewarding decision. By choosing a CoARC-accredited program in California, you are taking the necessary steps to ensure a quality education and future licensure. Explore the programs listed above, visit their websites, and reach out to program directors to learn more. Your journey to becoming a respiratory therapist starts with selecting the right educational program. Good luck!
