In Ontario, the use of the title “Respiratory Therapist” is granted to Members of the CRTO only*. The title and any variation or abbreviation of the title (e.g., RT, RRT) are protected under the Respiratory Therapy Act (RTA). In addition, the RTA has a “holding out” provision which prohibits any person who is not a Member of the CRTO from holding themselves out as a person who is qualified to practice Respiratory Therapy in Ontario* (even if the person does not use the protected title).

Both the protected title and the holding out provision help assure that anyone using the Registered Respiratory Therapist title is authorized to practice and, as such, meets certain requirements and is professionally accountable for providing safe, competent and ethical care to the public in accordance with the standards of the profession.

To verify if an individual is registered with the CRTO, please visit our online Public Register of Members.

* with the exception of Inter-jurisdictional Respiratory Therapists who meet the conditions under O. Reg. 199/23 Exemption – Restricted Titles, which include having submitted an application for registration to the CRTO. For more information, please see the “As of Right” Exemption webpage.