Oakes Academy

Test Preparation from the People Behind the Blue Book

For more than 45 years, respiratory therapists and students have trusted Oakes’ resources for practical, clinically relevant education. Oakes Academy brings that same concise, no-fluff approach online—helping respiratory professionals prepare for credentialing examinations, strengthen clinical judgment, and grow throughout their careers.


Who Are We

About us

Our Story

It Started with One Pocket Guide

In the early 1980s, respiratory therapist Dana Oakes created a practical resource clinicians could carry and use at the bedside. That first guide became the Oakes’ Respiratory Care Pocket Guide-known to generations of respiratory therapists simply as the Blue Book.

Today, Oakes remains a small, family-owned company serving the profession through trusted pocket guides, test preparation, and online education. The format has evolved, but the purpose has not: make important information clear, useful, and easy to apply.


The Oakes Approach

Education Designed for Respiratory Therapists

Respiratory-Specific

Created by respiratory therapists for respiratory students, clinicians, and educators.

Clinically Grounded

Created by respiratory therapists for respiratory students, clinicians, and educators.

No-Fluff Teaching

Simplifies complex material without oversimplifying it—so you understand what matters and why.

Experience Behind Every Resource

Oakes’ resources combine decades of respiratory education with current clinical practice and examination-preparation experience.

Scot Jones

MS, RRT-ACCS

Founder, Oakes Academy
Author, Oakes' Pocket Guides


Scot founded Oakes Academy as the test-preparation division of Oakes’ Publishing. He combines years of bedside practice, respiratory education, and coauthoring the Oakes’ Pocket Guides with a practical understanding of the challenges learners face when preparing for NBRC examinations.

Dana Oakes

BS, RRT-NPS

Founder, Oakes' Pocket Guides
Senior Reviewer, Oakes Academy


Dana created the original Oakes’ Respiratory Care Pocket Guide from notes he developed as a student and new graduate. Over nearly five decades, that “little Blue Book” grew into a trusted family of titles shaped by his bedside practice, respiratory education, and writing.


Explore practical respiratory education designed to help you prepare, understand and apply what you know at the bedside.