INTRODUCTION

The Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (RHPA) sets out the framework for the regulation of health professions in Ontario. This piece of legislation grants the privilege of self-regulation to Respiratory Therapists as well as other healthcare professionals. The RHPA also permits each regulatory College to determine the appropriate registration requirements for its own profession. In addition, as a public protection mechanism, the profession-specific Acts restrict the use of certain professional titles and designations to members of health regulatory Colleges.

The Respiratory Therapy Act, 1991 (RTA) confers the title “Respiratory Therapist” to those individuals who have met the College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario’s (CRTO) registration requirements. The intent of this practice guideline is to offer clarification with respect to the different classes of registration, protected titles and maintaining one’s registration with the CRTO.