The professionals engaged in this field are titled as Registered Respiratory Therapist and also as Certified Respiratory Therapist. National Board of Respiratory care is responsible for the imposition of rules and regulations and qualification standards. This board gives the certification to the qualified, learned and experienced respiratory therapists.

The field of respiratory therapy traces its history back to very earlier times when some group of oxygen tank makers contacted doctors regarding the more efficient and useful application of oxygen. This gave birth to oxygen masks. A lot of research was started to be conducted in different universities and hospitals in order to design and devise more efficient and technically advanced equipment for patients.

The applications or the places where the respiratory therapists can be very commonly seen include Intensive care units. They were very essential in every operation and has a very vital role to play. Almost every patient has to once or more deal with the respiratory therapist in critical conditions. Other patients having very ill or crucial situation require immediate respiratory therapist assistance.

The education which is required to attain before practicing as a respiratory therapists is associate's degree program. This, in addition, requires several certifications from recognized bodies as well as practical work experience in the related field or under some senior therapist to become eligible to offer his own services. As also stated earlier, United States of America has National Board of Respiratory Care(NBRC) which regulates the respiratory therapy scheme, set the course and its goals, require certifications and impose strict rules and regulations.

At the end, the main goal of respiratory therapy and respiratory therapist is to assist the patient to make his respiratory system most perfect to the eligible extent. In addition, respiratory therapists have very strict and tough job as it has a great responsibility for them.