Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care

Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care

Logo of the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care

The Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) is a non-profit organization that accredits respiratory therapy education programs in the United States. CoARC's mission is to ensure that respiratory care programs provide high-quality education that meets the needs of students, employers, and the public.

History

The CoARC was established in 1996, evolving from the Joint Review Committee for Respiratory Therapy Education (JRCRTE), which was founded in 1963. The organization was created to provide a more focused and specialized accreditation process for respiratory care programs. Over the years, CoARC has developed standards and guidelines to ensure that educational programs produce competent respiratory therapists who can meet the demands of the healthcare industry.

Accreditation Process

The accreditation process conducted by CoARC involves several steps designed to evaluate the quality and effectiveness of respiratory care programs. These steps include:

• Self-Study Report: Programs seeking accreditation must submit a comprehensive self-study report that details their compliance with CoARC standards.
• Site Visit: A team of CoARC evaluators conducts an on-site visit to assess the program's facilities, faculty, and resources.
• Review and Decision: The CoARC Board reviews the findings from the self-study and site visit to make an accreditation decision.

Programs that meet CoARC's standards are granted accreditation, which is typically valid for a period of five to ten years, depending on the program's compliance and performance.

Standards and Guidelines

CoARC's standards and guidelines are designed to ensure that respiratory care programs provide a comprehensive education that covers all aspects of respiratory therapy. These standards include requirements for curriculum content, faculty qualifications, student assessment, and program resources. CoARC regularly updates its standards to reflect changes in the field of respiratory care and advancements in medical education.

Importance of Accreditation

Accreditation by CoARC is crucial for respiratory care programs as it validates the quality of education provided and ensures that graduates are prepared to enter the workforce as competent respiratory therapists. Accreditation also plays a significant role in the eligibility of graduates to sit for credentialing examinations, such as those offered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).

Related Pages

• Respiratory therapy
• National Board for Respiratory Care
• American Association for Respiratory Care