Easiest States to Get a Respiratory Therapist License (2026): Ranked

Respiratory therapist licensing requirements vary considerably by state. Of the 51 states we track, 50 require state licensure, 3 require the RRT as the minimum credential, and government fees range from $220 to $615. This guide ranks every state by overall licensing ease.

Our composite ease score accounts for licensing requirements, minimum credential level (CRT vs. RRT), government fees, CE burden, telehealth allowance, and reciprocity. States without mandatory licensure or with lower credential thresholds rank highest. Note: the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) TMC and CSE exams are the same regardless of state, so that cost (~$390 combined for CRT+RRT) is constant.

Key Metrics Across All States

Min Gov’t Fee

$220

Median Gov’t Fee

$308

Max Gov’t Fee

$615

CE Hours Range

8–30

States requiring licensure

States requiring RRT minimum

States accepting CRT

States allowing telehealth

Top 8 Easiest States for Respiratory Therapist Licensure

States without mandatory licensure rank highest since there is no state application fee. Within licensed states, those accepting CRT (rather than requiring RRT) and with lower fees and CE requirements rank higher.

AlaskaNo state license requiredScore: 60

Gov’t Fees

None

Min Credential

—

CE Hours

—

Renewal

N/A

ColoradoScore: 60

Gov’t Fees

$275

Min Credential

CRT

CE Hours

0 hrs

Renewal

2 years

Telehealth allowedAccepts out-of-stateCRT credential acceptedCoARC required

MaineScore: 60

Gov’t Fees

$276

Min Credential

CRT

CE Hours

0 hrs

Renewal

1 year

Telehealth allowedAccepts out-of-stateCRT credential acceptedCoARC required

UtahScore: 60

Gov’t Fees

$250

Min Credential

CRT

CE Hours

0 hrs

Renewal

2 years

Telehealth allowedAccepts out-of-stateCRT credential acceptedCoARC required

WisconsinScore: 60

Gov’t Fees

$250

Min Credential

CRT

CE Hours

0 hrs

Renewal

2 years

Telehealth allowedAccepts out-of-stateCRT credential acceptedCoARC required

ArkansasScore: 57

Gov’t Fees

$265

Min Credential

CRT

CE Hours

12 hrs

Renewal

2 years

Telehealth allowedAccepts out-of-stateCRT credential acceptedCoARC required

IdahoScore: 57

Gov’t Fees

$255

Min Credential

CRT

CE Hours

12 hrs

Renewal

1 year

Telehealth allowedAccepts out-of-stateCRT credential acceptedCoARC required

MontanaScore: 57

Gov’t Fees

$290

Min Credential

CRT

CE Hours

12 hrs

Renewal

1 year

Telehealth allowedAccepts out-of-stateCRT credential acceptedCoARC required

Full Rankings — All 51 States

#	State	Licensed	Min Cred	Fees	CE Hrs	Telehealth	Score
1	Alaska	No	—	—	—	—	60
2	Colorado	Yes	CRT	$275	0	Yes	60
3	Maine	Yes	CRT	$276	0	Yes	60
4	Utah	Yes	CRT	$250	0	Yes	60
5	Wisconsin	Yes	CRT	$250	0	Yes	60
6	Arkansas	Yes	CRT	$265	12	Yes	57
7	Idaho	Yes	CRT	$255	12	Yes	57
8	Montana	Yes	CRT	$290	12	Yes	57
9	North Dakota	Yes	CRT	$270	10	Yes	57
10	Oklahoma	Yes	CRT	$265	12	Yes	57
11	Rhode Island	Yes	CRT	$250	12	Yes	57
12	Wyoming	Yes	CRT	$290	8	Yes	57
13	Hawaii	Yes	CRT	$460	0	Yes	55
14	Delaware	Yes	CRT	$291	20	Yes	53
15	Indiana	Yes	CRT	$240	15	Yes	53
16	Iowa	Yes	CRT	$265	24	Yes	53
17	Kansas	Yes	CRT	$290	24	Yes	53
18	Michigan	Yes	CRT	$285	24	Yes	53
19	Mississippi	Yes	CRT	$265	20	Yes	53
20	Missouri	Yes	CRT	$230	24	Yes	53
21	South Dakota	Yes	CRT	$250	20	Yes	53
22	West Virginia	Yes	CRT	$255	20	Yes	53
23	Connecticut	Yes	CRT	$380	10	Yes	52
24	Louisiana	Yes	CRT	$353	10	Yes	52
25	North Carolina	Yes	CRT	$365	12	Yes	52
26	Vermont	Yes	CRT	$305	12	Yes	52
27	Pennsylvania	Yes	CRT	$220	30	Yes	49
28	South Carolina	Yes	CRT	$265	30	Yes	49
29	Alabama	Yes	CRT	$320	24	Yes	48
30	Arizona	Yes	CRT	$460	20	Yes	48
31	District of Columbia	Yes	CRT	$444	16	Yes	48
32	Florida	Yes	CRT	$355	24	Yes	48
33	Illinois	Yes	CRT	$310	24	Yes	48
34	Kentucky	Yes	CRT	$340	24	Yes	48
35	Maryland	Yes	CRT	$390	16	Yes	48
36	Massachusetts	Yes	CRT	$450	20	Yes	48
37	Minnesota	Yes	CRT	$399	24	Yes	48
38	Nebraska	Yes	CRT	$308	20	Yes	48
39	Nevada	Yes	CRT	$475	20	Yes	48
40	New Hampshire	Yes	CRT	$360	24	Yes	48
41	New Mexico	Yes	CRT	$340	20	Yes	48
42	Tennessee	Yes	CRT	$340	24	Yes	48
43	Texas	Yes	CRT	$365	24	Yes	48
44	Virginia	Yes	CRT	$325	20	Yes	48
45	Georgia	Yes	CRT	$340	30	Yes	44
46	New Jersey	Yes	CRT	$475	30	Yes	44
47	New York	Yes	CRT	$484	30	Yes	44
48	California	Yes	CRT	$615	15	Yes	43
49	Ohio	Yes	RRT	$265	20	Yes	38
50	Oregon	Yes	RRT	$290	15	Yes	38
51	Washington	Yes	RRT	$355	30	Yes	29

What “Easiest” Does Not Mean

RRT is the standard of practice: Even in states that accept CRT as the minimum, the RRT credential is preferred by most employers and increasingly required for ICU and advanced practice roles. The AARC recommends the RRT as the entry-level standard.
Unlicensed does not mean unregulated at the employer level: In the 1 states without mandatory state licensing, most hospitals and healthcare systems require NBRC credentials (CRT or RRT) as a condition of employment.
CoARC accreditation is required for NBRC eligibility: Regardless of state, you must graduate from a CoARC-accredited program to sit for the NBRC exams. This requirement applies in all 51 states.
Specialty credentials add cost: RRTs in advanced roles may pursue specialty credentials (ACCS, NPS, SDS, etc.) from the NBRC, each requiring additional exams and fees beyond initial licensure.

Next Steps

How to Become a Respiratory Therapist →

CoARC programs, NBRC exams, and state licensure

RT License Cost by State →

Full cost breakdown from $220 to $615

Sources

State respiratory care board websites (all 51 jurisdictions)
National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) — nbrc.org
Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) — coarc.com
American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) — aarc.org
Ease scores are composite calculations; not official rankings.
Data last verified March 2026

Top 8 Easiest States for Respiratory Therapist Licensure

AlaskaNo state license requiredScore: 60

Gov’t Fees

None

Min Credential

—

CE Hours

—

Renewal

N/A

ColoradoScore: 60

Gov’t Fees

$275

Min Credential

CRT

CE Hours

0 hrs

Renewal

2 years

Telehealth allowedAccepts out-of-stateCRT credential acceptedCoARC required

MaineScore: 60

Gov’t Fees

$276

Min Credential

CRT

CE Hours

0 hrs

Renewal

1 year

Telehealth allowedAccepts out-of-stateCRT credential acceptedCoARC required

UtahScore: 60

Gov’t Fees

$250

Min Credential

CRT

CE Hours

0 hrs

Renewal

2 years

Telehealth allowedAccepts out-of-stateCRT credential acceptedCoARC required

WisconsinScore: 60

Gov’t Fees

$250

Min Credential

CRT

CE Hours

0 hrs

Renewal

2 years

Telehealth allowedAccepts out-of-stateCRT credential acceptedCoARC required

ArkansasScore: 57

Gov’t Fees

$265

Min Credential

CRT

CE Hours

12 hrs

Renewal

2 years

Telehealth allowedAccepts out-of-stateCRT credential acceptedCoARC required

IdahoScore: 57

Gov’t Fees

$255

Min Credential

CRT

CE Hours

12 hrs

Renewal

1 year

Telehealth allowedAccepts out-of-stateCRT credential acceptedCoARC required

MontanaScore: 57

Gov’t Fees

$290

Min Credential

CRT

CE Hours

12 hrs

Renewal

1 year

Telehealth allowedAccepts out-of-stateCRT credential acceptedCoARC required

Full Rankings — All 51 States

#	State	Licensed	Min Cred	Fees	CE Hrs	Telehealth	Score
1	Alaska	No	—	—	—	—	60
2	Colorado	Yes	CRT	$275	0	Yes	60
3	Maine	Yes	CRT	$276	0	Yes	60
4	Utah	Yes	CRT	$250	0	Yes	60
5	Wisconsin	Yes	CRT	$250	0	Yes	60
6	Arkansas	Yes	CRT	$265	12	Yes	57
7	Idaho	Yes	CRT	$255	12	Yes	57
8	Montana	Yes	CRT	$290	12	Yes	57
9	North Dakota	Yes	CRT	$270	10	Yes	57
10	Oklahoma	Yes	CRT	$265	12	Yes	57
11	Rhode Island	Yes	CRT	$250	12	Yes	57
12	Wyoming	Yes	CRT	$290	8	Yes	57
13	Hawaii	Yes	CRT	$460	0	Yes	55
14	Delaware	Yes	CRT	$291	20	Yes	53
15	Indiana	Yes	CRT	$240	15	Yes	53
16	Iowa	Yes	CRT	$265	24	Yes	53
17	Kansas	Yes	CRT	$290	24	Yes	53
18	Michigan	Yes	CRT	$285	24	Yes	53
19	Mississippi	Yes	CRT	$265	20	Yes	53
20	Missouri	Yes	CRT	$230	24	Yes	53
21	South Dakota	Yes	CRT	$250	20	Yes	53
22	West Virginia	Yes	CRT	$255	20	Yes	53
23	Connecticut	Yes	CRT	$380	10	Yes	52
24	Louisiana	Yes	CRT	$353	10	Yes	52
25	North Carolina	Yes	CRT	$365	12	Yes	52
26	Vermont	Yes	CRT	$305	12	Yes	52
27	Pennsylvania	Yes	CRT	$220	30	Yes	49
28	South Carolina	Yes	CRT	$265	30	Yes	49
29	Alabama	Yes	CRT	$320	24	Yes	48
30	Arizona	Yes	CRT	$460	20	Yes	48
31	District of Columbia	Yes	CRT	$444	16	Yes	48
32	Florida	Yes	CRT	$355	24	Yes	48
33	Illinois	Yes	CRT	$310	24	Yes	48
34	Kentucky	Yes	CRT	$340	24	Yes	48
35	Maryland	Yes	CRT	$390	16	Yes	48
36	Massachusetts	Yes	CRT	$450	20	Yes	48
37	Minnesota	Yes	CRT	$399	24	Yes	48
38	Nebraska	Yes	CRT	$308	20	Yes	48
39	Nevada	Yes	CRT	$475	20	Yes	48
40	New Hampshire	Yes	CRT	$360	24	Yes	48
41	New Mexico	Yes	CRT	$340	20	Yes	48
42	Tennessee	Yes	CRT	$340	24	Yes	48
43	Texas	Yes	CRT	$365	24	Yes	48
44	Virginia	Yes	CRT	$325	20	Yes	48
45	Georgia	Yes	CRT	$340	30	Yes	44
46	New Jersey	Yes	CRT	$475	30	Yes	44
47	New York	Yes	CRT	$484	30	Yes	44
48	California	Yes	CRT	$615	15	Yes	43
49	Ohio	Yes	RRT	$265	20	Yes	38
50	Oregon	Yes	RRT	$290	15	Yes	38
51	Washington	Yes	RRT	$355	30	Yes	29

What “Easiest” Does Not Mean

RRT is the standard of practice: Even in states that accept CRT as the minimum, the RRT credential is preferred by most employers and increasingly required for ICU and advanced practice roles. The AARC recommends the RRT as the entry-level standard.
Unlicensed does not mean unregulated at the employer level: In the 1 states without mandatory state licensing, most hospitals and healthcare systems require NBRC credentials (CRT or RRT) as a condition of employment.
CoARC accreditation is required for NBRC eligibility: Regardless of state, you must graduate from a CoARC-accredited program to sit for the NBRC exams. This requirement applies in all 51 states.
Specialty credentials add cost: RRTs in advanced roles may pursue specialty credentials (ACCS, NPS, SDS, etc.) from the NBRC, each requiring additional exams and fees beyond initial licensure.

Next Steps

Sources

State respiratory care board websites (all 51 jurisdictions)
National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) — nbrc.org
Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) — coarc.com
American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) — aarc.org
Ease scores are composite calculations; not official rankings.
Data last verified March 2026

Easiest States to Get a Respiratory Therapist License (2026): Ranked

Key Metrics Across All States

Top 8 Easiest States for Respiratory Therapist Licensure

Full Rankings — All 51 States

What “Easiest” Does Not Mean

Next Steps

Sources

Respiratory Therapy Exam Prep

Ready to Become a Respiratory Therapist?

Easiest States to Get a Respiratory Therapist License (2026): Ranked

Key Metrics Across All States

Top 8 Easiest States for Respiratory Therapist Licensure

Full Rankings — All 51 States

What “Easiest” Does Not Mean

Next Steps

Sources

Respiratory Therapy Exam Prep

Ready to Become a Respiratory Therapist?