Here are a list of professional organizations available to you as respiratory therapists. Each one offers different benefits. The NBRC membership is pretty much required if you want to keep your credentials current. All other memberships are fully optional, but can really help you keep on top of your profession. The AARC lists a bunch of partner organizations HERE.
State Societies are always the best way to keep up to date on RT happenings in your area. There is a list of these organizations HERE on the AARC website.
The American Thoracic Society offers FREE membership for students. This is a huge savings since their membership isn’t cheap! The ATS is a wonderful group that offers extensive access to research, studies, trials, etc… Here is their statement:
The roots of the American Thoracic Society reach back to 1905, when a small group of physicians decided that the best way to improve care for tuberculosis patients was to share their experiences and discoveries. Today, the ATS has grown into an international society with more than 15,000 members. In this introductory section, you will find information about the people and programs that make the ATS the world’s leading medical association dedicated to advancing our clinical and scientific understanding of pulmonary diseases, critical illnesses and sleep-related breathing disorders.
American Association for Respiratory Care says this about themselves and their membership:
Since 1947, the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) has been committed to enhancing your professionalism as a respiratory care practitioner, improving your performance on the job, and helping you broaden the scope of knowledge essential to your success. With more than 49,000 members nationwide, the AARC is the only professional society for respiratory therapists in hospitals and with home care companies, managers of respiratory and cardiopulmonary services, and educators who provide respiratory care training.
The National Board of Respiratory Care is our credentialing board.