Retaking Prerequisites to Get Into RT School- how to repair a low GPA or replace expired credits — and get your respiratory therapy application back on track .If a low grade or an expired course is standing between you and a respiratory therapy (RT) program, you are not stuck — you are in one of the most fixable situations in healthcare admissions. Two problems send most applicants looking to retake prerequisites: a science grade too low to be competitive, and credits that have aged past a program’s recency window. Both have clear solutions, and this guide walks through exactly how to approach each one.
The good news is that prerequisites are designed to be repeatable. Unlike a degree you have to start over, a single course can be retaken on its own — often quickly and online — to refresh the credit or raise the grade. The key is knowing your target program’s rules before you spend time and money, so your retake actually counts the way you need it to.
| The short versionIf a prerequisite grade is too low or a course has expired, you can usually retake just that course rather than redo a degree. Before you do, confirm two things with your target program: how it treats retaken grades (replaces vs. averages) and its recency window for science courses. Self-paced courses are often the fastest way to repair a GPA or refresh expired credit — but always verify acceptance first. |
RT admissions are competitive and usually points-based, so a single weak science grade can quietly sink an otherwise strong application. Most programs publish a minimum grade — often a C — but admitted students are frequently far above that floor. If your Anatomy & Physiology or microbiology grade is dragging down your science GPA, retaking it is often the highest-leverage move you can make. For how programs weigh these numbers, see our guide to respiratory therapy GPA requirements.
This is the question that determines whether a retake is worth it — and the answer depends entirely on the program. There are three common policies:
| Retake policy | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Grade replacement | The new grade replaces the old one in the prerequisite GPA — best case for repair |
| Grade averaging | Both attempts are averaged — a retake helps less, so the new grade must be strong |
| Highest grade counts | The program uses your best attempt — favorable, similar to replacement |
Some programs also limit how many times you can retake a course, or how many total retakes they will accept across your prerequisites. Confirm the exact policy in writing before you register, because it changes the math on whether a retake moves your ranking enough to matter.
| Do the math before you retakeUnder grade replacement, retaking a C and earning an A can dramatically lift your science GPA. Under averaging, that same retake yields a B-equivalent at best — still an improvement, but a smaller one. Knowing which policy applies tells you whether the retake is a high-impact fix or a marginal one, and helps you decide where to focus your effort. |
Many RT programs require that science prerequisites — especially Anatomy & Physiology, microbiology, and chemistry — be completed within a set recency window, commonly five to seven years before you apply. The logic is that the science you learned a decade ago may be out of date or no longer fresh in memory. If your strong A&P grade from years back no longer counts, you do not need a new degree — you need to refresh that one course.
Recency rules are among the most common reasons career changers and returning students get tripped up. Someone who took A&P during an earlier degree, worked for several years, and now wants to enter RT often finds those credits have aged out — even though the grade was excellent. A targeted retake solves this cleanly.
For the full list of which courses RT programs require and how they treat them, see our complete guide to respiratory therapy prerequisites.
Once you know what needs repairing or refreshing, the goal is to do it as quickly and cheaply as possible without jeopardizing acceptance. Your main options:
| Option | Best for | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|
| Community college | Lowest per-credit cost | Waitlists for lab sciences; fixed term schedule |
| Four-year university | If already enrolled there | Usually higher cost per credit |
| Self-paced online provider | Speed and flexibility; working adults | Must confirm the program accepts the credit |
For applicants racing a deadline, self-paced courses are usually the fastest route — you can start immediately rather than waiting for a term to begin, and finish on your own schedule. Browse self-paced respiratory therapy prerequisite courses to see what you can retake online. See also how long respiratory therapy prerequisites take for timeline planning.
| Confirm acceptance before you enroll — every timeThis is the one step you cannot skip. Before paying for any retake, confirm with your target program’s registrar that (1) the course and provider are accepted, (2) it satisfies the recency window, and (3) the new grade will be applied the way you expect. This guide cannot guarantee any course will be accepted or that a retake will result in admission — only the program can confirm that. Get it in writing where possible. |
Working through the broader admissions process too? See how to get into a respiratory therapy program and grab the prerequisite & application checklist to track every requirement.
Can I retake just one prerequisite course for respiratory therapy?
Yes. Prerequisites can usually be retaken individually — you do not need to redo a degree to repair one course. Confirm with your target program that the course and provider you choose are accepted and that the retake satisfies its requirements.
Does retaking a prerequisite replace my old grade?
It depends on the program. Some replace the old grade with the new one, some average both attempts, and some count only your highest grade. Check your target program’s retake policy before registering, because it determines how much a retake will lift your GPA.
How long are respiratory therapy prerequisites valid?
Many programs require science prerequisites such as Anatomy & Physiology, microbiology, and chemistry to be completed within roughly five to seven years of applying, while general-education courses often do not expire. Recency windows vary by program, so confirm the exact rule with each one.
Can I retake an expired prerequisite online?
Often yes. Self-paced online courses are a common way to refresh expired credit quickly. Before enrolling, confirm that your target program accepts the online course and that completing it will satisfy the recency window.
Will retaking prerequisites get me into an RT program?
Retaking can make you eligible or more competitive, but it does not guarantee admission, which remains competitive and based on many factors. Always confirm requirements with the specific program and treat a retake as one part of a stronger overall application.
How fast can I retake a prerequisite?
Self-paced courses let you start immediately and finish on your own schedule, which can be much faster than waiting for a community-college term. The exact time depends on the course and your pace; see our guide on how long prerequisites take for planning detail.
For official requirements and accreditation information, consult these primary sources directly:
Don’t let one course hold you back. A low grade or an expired credit is fixable — often faster than you think. Browse self-paced respiratory therapy prerequisite courses to repair your GPA or refresh expired credit on your own schedule, and confirm acceptance with your target program before you enroll.
