How Long Does It Take to Become a Respiratory Therapist?

Quick Answer

Becoming a respiratory therapist takes 2–4 years. The minimum requirement is an associate degree from a CoARC-accredited program (2 years), though many employers now prefer or require a bachelor's degree (4 years). After completing the degree, graduates must pass the TMC exam and earn the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential.

Education Pathway Comparison

Degree Type	Duration	Cost Range	Career Outlook
Associate degree (AS/AAS)	2 years	$10,000–$30,000	Entry-level positions; meets licensure requirements
Bachelor's degree (BS/BSRT)	4 years	$30,000–$80,000	Preferred by most hospitals; better advancement
Associate-to-bachelor's bridge	1–2 years (after AS)	$15,000–$40,000	For working RTs seeking advancement
Master's degree (MSRT)	2 years (after BS)	$20,000–$50,000	Leadership, education, or research roles

Step-by-Step Timeline

Step	Duration	Details
Complete prerequisites	0–1 year	Anatomy, physiology, chemistry, math, English
Respiratory therapy program	2–4 years	Clinical rotations, coursework, lab work
Pass the TMC exam	1–3 months after graduation	Therapist Multiple-Choice examination
Pass the Clinical Simulation Exam	Taken with TMC	Required for RRT credential
Obtain state licensure	2–8 weeks	Varies by state; some require additional exams
Total	2–4.5 years

What to Expect in a Respiratory Therapy Program

Coursework

Programs cover a range of clinical and scientific topics:

• Cardiopulmonary anatomy and physiology
• Pharmacology for respiratory care
• Mechanical ventilation and airway management
• Neonatal and pediatric respiratory care
• Pulmonary diagnostics and function testing
• Critical care medicine
• Patient assessment and care planning

Clinical Rotations

Clinical rotations typically comprise 30–40% of program hours and expose students to various care settings:

Clinical Setting	Skills Practiced
Intensive care unit (ICU)	Mechanical ventilation, arterial blood gas analysis
Emergency department	Acute respiratory distress management
Neonatal ICU (NICU)	Infant ventilation, surfactant therapy
Pulmonary function lab	Diagnostic testing, spirometry
Sleep disorders center	Sleep study monitoring, CPAP/BiPAP setup
General medical/surgical floors	Bronchodilator therapy, oxygen management

Certification and Licensure

All 50 states and the District of Columbia require respiratory therapists to hold a credential from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC). The two credential levels are:

• Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) – Entry-level credential earned by passing the low-cut score on the TMC exam. Being phased out in many states.
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) – Advanced credential earned by passing the high-cut score on the TMC exam plus the Clinical Simulation Exam. Now the standard requirement for most employers.

Career and Salary Overview

Position	Median Salary	Experience Required
Staff respiratory therapist	$62,000–$75,000	Entry-level with RRT
Senior respiratory therapist	$72,000–$85,000	3–5 years
Lead/supervisor	$78,000–$95,000	5–8 years
Respiratory care manager	$85,000–$110,000	8+ years, often BS/MS required
Educator/program director	$80,000–$105,000	MS preferred, teaching experience

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 13% job growth for respiratory therapists through 2032, significantly faster than the average for all occupations.

Tips for Aspiring Respiratory Therapists

• Choose a CoARC-accredited program. Accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care is mandatory for exam eligibility.
• Consider a bachelor's degree. The AARC has recommended the bachelor's degree as the entry-level standard since 2020, and many hospitals are following suit.
• Study for the TMC early. Begin exam preparation in the final semester to increase first-attempt pass rates.
• Gain diverse clinical experience. Rotations in NICU and ICU settings make graduates more competitive in the job market.