Which of the following is true if you fail to renew your certificate prior to expiration?

If you fail to renew your certificate prior to its expiration, it is indeed true that you cannot practice respiratory care until you receive your renewal certificate. This is a critical aspect of maintaining professional standards and ensuring that all practitioners are up to date with their credentials and continuing education requirements. Practicing without a valid certificate not only jeopardizes the practitioner's legal standing but also poses risks to patient safety, as certifications ensure that practitioners meet established standards of care and knowledge in the field.

The importance of maintaining an active certification cannot be overstated, as it serves to protect both the practitioner and the public. Therefore, being unable to practice until the renewal is complete emphasizes the responsibility of licensed practitioners to keep their certifications current and demonstrates the regulatory body's commitment to maintaining high standards in respiratory care.