If you want a healthcare career that combines patient care, medical technology, and respiratory science, becoming a respiratory therapist may be a strong option. Respiratory therapists help patients who have trouble breathing and support people with acute and chronic cardiopulmonary conditions.
The path to becoming a respiratory therapist usually includes an accredited education program, supervised clinical training, professional credentialing, and state licensure. This guide explains each step, what respiratory therapists do, where they work, how much they earn, and what you can expect from the career.
What Does a Respiratory Therapist Do?
Respiratory therapists assess and treat patients with breathing and cardiopulmonary problems. They work with physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to evaluate symptoms and provide appropriate respiratory care.
Their responsibilities can include:
- Assessing patients with breathing difficulties
- Administering oxygen and other respiratory treatments
- Managing ventilators and other breathing-support equipment
- Performing pulmonary function tests
- Collecting and analyzing blood gas samples
- Helping with airway management
- Monitoring patients during treatment
- Teaching patients how to use respiratory equipment and medications
- Supporting patients during respiratory emergencies
- Documenting treatments and patient responses
Respiratory therapists work with patients across different age groups. Their patients may include premature infants, children, adults, and older adults with acute or chronic conditions.
The work can change quickly. An RT may provide a scheduled breathing treatment during one part of a shift and respond to a patient in respiratory distress later.
How to Become a Respiratory Therapist
The exact requirements vary by state, but the general path follows several key stages.
1. Complete a Respiratory Therapy Program
Start by completing an accredited respiratory therapy program. An associate degree is the typical entry-level education requirement, although some employers prefer or require a bachelor’s degree.
Respiratory therapy programs combine classroom education with hands-on clinical experience. Coursework commonly covers subjects such as:
- Human anatomy and physiology
- Cardiopulmonary science
- Pharmacology
- Respiratory care procedures
- Patient assessment
- Mechanical ventilation
- Pulmonary diagnostics
- Critical care
Before choosing a program, check its accreditation and admission requirements. CoARC accredits respiratory care programs at the associate, bachelor’s, and master’s levels, along with certain advanced and degree-advancement programs.
2. Complete Clinical Training
Classroom instruction alone does not prepare you for the full scope of respiratory care. Accredited programs include supervised clinical training where students apply what they learn with real patients.
Clinical rotations can expose students to different areas of care, such as hospitals, intensive care units, emergency departments, neonatal care, and other healthcare settings.
During clinical training, you can build experience with patient assessment, respiratory equipment, oxygen therapy, ventilator management, diagnostic procedures, and treatment documentation.
Clinical experience also helps you understand which areas of respiratory care interest you most before you enter the workforce.
3. Earn a Professional Credential
After completing an eligible respiratory therapy program, you can pursue professional credentials through the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).
The credentialing process currently includes the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) and Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) pathways. The NBRC uses the Therapist Multiple-Choice Examination to assess entry-level respiratory therapy knowledge.
The RRT represents the advanced credential. Under the current system, eligible candidates use the TMC and Clinical Simulation Examination pathway to earn it.
There is also an important examination change coming in 2027. The NBRC plans to replace the existing examination pathway with a new Respiratory Therapy Examination. The final TMC application deadline is December 15, 2026, and the last day to take the TMC is December 31, 2026. Beginning January 1, 2027, eligible candidates can use the new examination pathway for the RRT credential.
If you are currently choosing a respiratory therapy program or preparing for credentialing, check the NBRC’s current requirements for the date you plan to test.
4. Apply for State Licensure
Most respiratory therapists need a state license before they can practice.
Respiratory therapy is licensed in every state except Alaska. However, each state sets its own requirements. A state may require specific education, examination results, an application, background checks, or other documentation.
Do not assume that meeting one state’s requirements automatically satisfies another state’s rules. Check the licensing board in the state where you plan to work before applying for jobs. Proper credentialing and compliance can also help prevent delays when you begin a new healthcare role.
5. Start Building Your Respiratory Therapy Career
Once you meet the education, credentialing, and licensing requirements that apply to you, you can pursue respiratory therapy jobs. Working with a healthcare staffing agency can also help you find opportunities that match your specialty, location, and career goals.
Many RTs begin in hospital-based positions. With experience, you can move into specialized clinical roles, education, management, diagnostics, or other areas of respiratory care.
Your first position can also help you identify the patient populations and work settings you prefer.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Respiratory Therapist?
The timeline depends on the education path you choose.
An associate degree in respiratory therapy typically takes about two years. A bachelor’s degree generally takes about four years when completed as a traditional undergraduate program. Both paths can include classroom coursework and supervised clinical training.
Your total timeline may also depend on:
- Prerequisite courses
- Program requirements
- Clinical rotation schedules
- Credentialing exam timing
- State licensing requirements
An associate degree can provide a faster entry into the profession. A bachelor’s degree can provide broader preparation for advancement and may meet the preferences of some employers.
Where Do Respiratory Therapists Work?
Hospitals employ most respiratory therapists. BLS data shows that state, local, and private hospitals accounted for about 80% of respiratory therapist jobs in 2025.
Other work environments can include:
- Intensive care units
- Emergency departments
- Neonatal intensive care units
- Outpatient clinics
- Physicians’ offices
- Nursing care facilities
- Sleep centers
- Home healthcare
- Pulmonary rehabilitation settings
The work schedule depends on the setting. Hospital-based RTs may work nights, weekends, or holidays because patients need respiratory care around the clock.
What Specialties Can Respiratory Therapists Pursue?
Respiratory therapy offers several areas of specialization. Your choice may depend on your interests, experience, additional credentials, and available positions.
Critical Care
Critical care RTs support patients with severe respiratory conditions. They may manage ventilators, assist with airway procedures, monitor patients, and respond to emergencies.
Neonatal and Pediatric Care
These RTs work with infants and children who have breathing problems. The work can involve premature infants, congenital conditions, infections, and other pediatric respiratory disorders.
Pulmonary Diagnostics
Some respiratory therapists focus on diagnostic testing. They may perform pulmonary function tests and other assessments that help clinicians understand how well a patient’s lungs are working.
Sleep Medicine
Respiratory therapists can work with patients who have sleep-related breathing disorders. Depending on their role and additional training, they may support sleep studies and related respiratory care.
Home Care
Home-care RTs help patients manage respiratory conditions outside traditional healthcare facilities. They may teach patients and caregivers how to use oxygen systems, ventilators, and other respiratory equipment.
Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Pulmonary rehabilitation focuses on helping people manage chronic respiratory conditions and improve their ability to function. RTs may educate patients about breathing techniques, exercise, medications, and disease management.
What Skills Do You Need as a Respiratory Therapist?
Technical knowledge is only one part of the job. Respiratory therapists also need strong communication and problem-solving skills.
Important qualities include:
- Clinical judgment: You need to assess patient information and respond appropriately.
- Attention to detail: Small changes in a patient’s condition or equipment settings can matter.
- Communication: You must explain treatments and equipment clearly to patients and caregivers.
- Compassion: Many patients feel anxious or frightened when they have trouble breathing.
- Problem-solving: Respiratory care can require quick decisions when a patient’s condition changes.
- Teamwork: RTs work closely with physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.
- Physical stamina: Clinical work can involve standing for long periods and helping move or position patients.
You should also feel comfortable using medical technology. Respiratory therapists regularly work with equipment used for oxygen delivery, ventilation, monitoring, and diagnostic testing.
How Much Do Respiratory Therapists Make?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for respiratory therapists was $82,280 in May 2025.
Pay varies by location, experience, work setting, and role. In May 2025, the median annual wages were $82,730 for respiratory therapists working in hospitals, $79,270 in nursing care facilities, and $77,890 in physicians’ offices.
Advanced education, specialty credentials, leadership responsibilities, and experience can affect your career options and earning potential. However, salary should not be the only factor when comparing respiratory therapy positions.
What Is the Job Outlook for Respiratory Therapists?
The field has a positive employment outlook.
BLS projects 9% employment growth for respiratory therapists from 2025 to 2035, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. The agency also projects about 8,600 openings per year over that period.
Several factors contribute to continued demand. An aging population can increase the prevalence of respiratory conditions, while hospitals and other healthcare settings continue to need professionals who can provide respiratory care.
How to Choose the Right Respiratory Therapy Program
Choosing the right program can affect your education, credentialing path, and career options.
Before applying, consider these factors:
Check CoARC Accreditation
Look for a respiratory care program accredited by CoARC. Accreditation can help you confirm that the program meets established professional education standards. You can use CoARC’s Find an Accredited Program directory to check available programs.
Compare Degree Options
An associate degree may offer a quicker entry into the field. A bachelor’s degree may provide additional preparation for leadership, specialization, or future education.
Compare the time, cost, clinical requirements, and career goals associated with each option.
Review Clinical Opportunities
Ask where students complete their clinical rotations and which patient populations they can experience.
Strong clinical exposure can help you build practical skills before entering professional practice.
Check Credentialing and Licensing Requirements
Confirm that the program prepares graduates for the credentialing exams and licensing requirements relevant to the state where you plan to work.
Consider Your Long-Term Goals
Think beyond your first job. If you want to move into critical care, education, management, diagnostics, or another specialty, look for a program that supports that direction.
Is Respiratory Therapy a Good Career Choice?
Respiratory therapy can be a good fit if you want direct patient care without pursuing the longer education path required for some other healthcare professions.
The career combines science, technology, clinical decision-making, and patient interaction. It can also offer several work environments and specialty options.
At the same time, the work can be demanding. RTs may care for critically ill patients, work irregular shifts, stand for long periods, and make decisions during emergencies.
Before choosing this career, consider both sides. Shadowing a respiratory therapist or speaking with professionals in the field can help you understand the day-to-day work.
To Conclude!
Becoming a respiratory therapist requires more than completing a degree. You need the right education, clinical experience, professional credentialing, and state license to enter practice.
Start by comparing accredited respiratory therapy programs and their clinical opportunities. Then review the credentialing and licensing requirements for the state where you want to work. If you choose a path that matches your career goals, respiratory therapy can provide opportunities to work with diverse patients, develop specialized skills, and grow within healthcare.
FAQs
Is an RRT Different From a CRT?
Yes. CRT means Certified Respiratory Therapist, while RRT means Registered Respiratory Therapist. RRT is the more advanced credential in the current NBRC credentialing structure.
What Conditions Can a Respiratory Therapist Treat?
Respiratory therapists help manage breathing and lung conditions such as asthma, COPD, pneumonia, respiratory failure, bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, and sleep-related breathing disorders.
When Should You See a Respiratory Therapist?
You may see a respiratory therapist for breathing problems such as shortness of breath, wheezing, a persistent cough, chest symptoms, or abnormal oxygen test results.
What Happens During a Respiratory Therapist’s First Visit?
The therapist may review your medical history, discuss your symptoms, check your breathing and oxygen levels, and provide treatment or instructions based on your care plan.
What Is the Difference Between a Respiratory Therapist and a Nurse?
Respiratory therapists focus on breathing, lung function, and respiratory treatments. Nurses provide broader patient care, including medications, assessments, monitoring, and care coordination.
Is It Harder to Become a Nurse or a Respiratory Therapist?
Both careers require formal education, clinical training, and state licensure. The education path differs, so your choice depends on your career goals and the type of patient care you want to provide.
What Is the Difference Between a Respiratory Therapist and a Respiratory Technologist?
Respiratory therapists receive specialized training to assess and manage respiratory conditions. Respiratory technologists may have different training and may focus on specific technical or diagnostic tasks.
