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Retaking the TMC or the RTE: what to do next
Didn't pass the TMC? You are far from alone, and the 2027 switch changes your options. Here is what the NBRC's own numbers and rules say, and how to plan your next attempt.
You are not the only one
In 2025 the NBRC gave 11,086 TMC exams. Pass rates for repeat candidates were much lower than for first-time candidates:[1]
| 2025 TMC | Passed at low cut (CRT) | Passed at high cut (RRT-eligible) |
|---|---|---|
| New candidates | 78.5% | 68.2% |
| Repeat candidates | 48.9% | 29.4% |
Repeating the same prep usually gives the same result. The fix is changing how you study, not just studying more.
Retaking the TMC before it ends (2026)
- The last day to apply for the TMC is December 15, 2026, and the last day to test is December 31, 2026.[3]
- You can reapply online two business days after your exam.[2]
- The TMC repeat fee is $150 (first attempt $190).[2]
- After three attempts, you must wait 120 days between attempts.[2]
Retaking as the RTE (2027 and later)
- The RTE launches January 4, 2027. The fee is $360 for new applicants and $300 for repeat applicants. Check which one applies to you in the Practitioner Portal.[3]
- Your earlier TMC and CSE attempts do not count toward the RTE's three-attempt limit.[3]
- If you already hold the CRT and score below the low cut, you keep your CRT and can retake as many times as you need, within the waiting-period rules.[3]
- If you passed the TMC at the high cut before December 31, 2026, you can still take the CSE through December 31, 2027, or take the RTE and earn the RRT at its high cut.[3]
Practice it now. See exactly which outline sections are costing you points: take the free 50-item mock and get a heat map by section.
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Take the free mock
Which path fits you?
| Your situation | What the NBRC rules allow |
|---|---|
| Haven't passed the TMC, ready to test in 2026 | Apply for the TMC by Dec 15, 2026, and test by Dec 31, 2026.[3] |
| Haven't passed the TMC, not ready before the deadline | Take the RTE from Jan 4, 2027. Prior attempts don't count toward its limit.[3] |
| Hold the CRT, want the RRT, haven't hit the TMC high cut | Take the RTE. A score below the low cut does not cost you the CRT.[3] |
| Passed the TMC at the high cut, need the CSE | CSE through Dec 31, 2027, or the RTE high cut.[3] |
How to study differently for a retake
This part is our advice, not NBRC policy.
- Start from data, not feelings. Your score report gives a raw score.[2] Pair it with a diagnostic test that breaks down your results by outline section, so you know where to spend your time.
- Study the 2027 outline if you'll test in 2027. Interventions is half of the Breadth section, and 60 items are clinical judgment.
- Read every rationale, including for questions you got right. Know why each wrong choice is wrong. That is what moves a score from the low cut to the high cut.
- Do one full-length timed run. 185 items in 4 hours is about 78 seconds each. Running out of time is a common, fixable problem.
- Use the official tools. The NBRC's free practice exam and paid SAEs use the real exam software; see our practice exam guide.
Our free 6-week study plan PDF lays this out week by week, and our free calculators help you drill ABGs, RSBI, P/F, A–a gradient, and tidal volume.
Practice it now. Try 50 free practice questions, including 3 full clinical-judgment cases. No account or card needed.
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Start free: 50 questions