Predictors of first-time national board passage for respiratory therapy associate degree program graduates

Background Limited research exists regarding predictors of success on the National Board for Respiratory Care Therapist Multiple Choice (TMC) exam. This research examined whether 26 academic and nonacademic variables predicted first-attempt TMC passage of graduates from two Midwestern community colleges’ associate degree respiratory therapy programs. Methods A non-experimental, ex post facto research design was used to analyze data that included 254 graduates. Stepwise logistic regression identified variables significantly associated with first-attempt TMC success. Results Grades in four courses (Pre-Program Biology Anatomy and Physiology, Pharmacology, Cardiovascular Physiology, and Pediatric/Neonatal Critical Care) were significantly associated with first-time TMC passage. A model including these four predictors correctly classified 91.9% of pass or fail outcomes. Conclusions This is the only study found that examined 26 independent variables as potential predictors of first-time TMC passage for associate degree respiratory therapy graduates. Identification of four course-level predictors provides opportunities for early academic monitoring, targeted remediation, and curriculum refinement to improve credentialing outcomes.