🫁 Respiratory Therapist License Requirements by State

Compare respiratory therapist license requirements across all 50 states and DC — experience, exams, fees, and salary data.

Last updated 2026-05-08

By the numbers: 46 of 51 jurisdictions require a state-level respiratory therapist license. Apprenticeship and Experience requirements range varies hours. Exam Application Fees range $190–$190. Most state Boards require Continuing Education at every Renewal cycle.

State	License Required	Experience	Exam Fee	Median Salary
ALAlabama	Required	—	$190	$67,825
AKAlaska	Not Required	—	—	$96,670
AZArizona	Required	—	$190	$75,621
ARArkansas	Required	—	$190	$65,486
CACalifornia	Required	—	$190	$107,584
COColorado	Not Required	—	—	$84,196
CTConnecticut	Required	—	$190	$89,654
DEDelaware	Required	—	$190	$77,960
DCDistrict of Columbia	Required	—	$190	$99,788
FLFlorida	Required	—	$190	$74,841
GAGeorgia	Required	—	$190	$72,502
HIHawaii	Required	—	$190	$105,246
IDIdaho	Not Required	—	—	$73,282
ILIllinois	Required	—	$190	$81,858
INIndiana	Required	—	$190	$70,943
IAIowa	Required	—	$190	$69,384
KSKansas	Required	—	$190	$69,384
KYKentucky	Required	—	$190	$69,384
LALouisiana	Required	—	$190	$70,164
MEMaine	Required	—	$190	$75,621
MDMaryland	Required	—	$190	$84,976
MAMassachusetts	Required	—	$190	$95,111
MIMichigan	Not Required	—	—	$73,282
MNMinnesota	Required	—	$190	$81,078
MSMississippi	Required	—	$190	$64,706
MOMissouri	Required	—	$190	$70,164
MTMontana	Required	—	$190	$74,841
NENebraska	Required	—	$190	$70,164
NVNevada	Required	—	$190	$79,519
NHNew Hampshire	Required	—	$190	$81,078
NJNew Jersey	Required	—	$190	$91,992
NMNew Mexico	Required	—	$190	$70,943
NYNew York	Required	—	$190	$101,348
NCNorth Carolina	Required	—	$190	$71,723
NDNorth Dakota	Required	—	$190	$74,062
OHOhio	Required	—	$190	$71,723
OKOklahoma	Required	—	$190	$67,825
OROregon	Required	—	$190	$85,756
PAPennsylvania	Required	—	$190	$76,400
RIRhode Island	Required	—	$190	$80,298
SCSouth Carolina	Required	—	$190	$70,943
SDSouth Dakota	Required	—	$190	$68,604
TNTennessee	Required	—	$190	$70,164
TXTexas	Required	—	$190	$73,282
UTUtah	Required	—	$190	$75,621
VTVermont	Not Required	—	—	$78,739
VAVirginia	Required	—	$190	$79,519
WAWashington	Required	—	$190	$91,992
WVWest Virginia	Required	—	$190	$67,045
WIWisconsin	Required	—	$190	$73,282
WYWyoming	Required	—	$190	$74,062

Common questions about respiratory therapist licensing

Do all states require a respiratory therapist license?

No — 46 of 51 jurisdictions require a state-level respiratory therapist license. The remainder license at the local or county level, or not at all. See the table above for the per-state breakdown.

How much does it cost to get a respiratory therapist license?

Application fees across the states range $190–$190. Renewal fees and continuing education hours vary by jurisdiction — check the state-specific page for the exact numbers.

How many apprenticeship hours does a respiratory therapist license typically require?

Required apprenticeship/work experience hours range varies across states, with most states requiring 2–4 years of supervised on-the-job training plus passing a board-administered exam.

Data last verified 2026. Salary data from BLS OEWS. Always verify with your state licensing board.