Respiratory Therapist License Cost by State (2026): Complete Fee Breakdown
Government licensing fees for respiratory therapists range from $220 to $615 across the 51 states we track. But government fees are only a small part of the total cost picture. This guide breaks down every cost component — from education to NBRC exams to annual renewal fees — so you can plan your budget accurately.
Of the 51 states, 50 require state licensure. The others may still require NBRC credentials (CRT or RRT) as a condition of employment. The National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) administers the Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) exam and Clinical Simulation Exam (CSE) that are required for CRT and RRT credentials, respectively.
Cost Components: What You’ll Pay
Government & Credentialing Fees
- State license application: $220–$615
- NBRC TMC exam: ~$190
- NBRC CSE exam (for RRT): ~$200
- NBRC credential application: ~$100–$150
- Background check / fingerprinting: $25–$100
Education & Ongoing Costs
- Associate’s degree (CoARC program): $10,000–$30,000
- Bachelor’s degree: $40,000–$100,000+
- Textbooks & equipment: $500–$2,000
- CE courses for renewal: $50–$500/year
- NBRC credential renewal (every 5 years): ~$100
- State license renewal: varies by state
Min Gov’t Fee
$220
Max Gov’t Fee
$615
States Licensed
50
RRT-Only States
3
CRT vs. RRT: The Cost Difference
Earning the CRT credential requires only the TMC exam (~$190). Earning the RRT (the preferred and increasingly required credential) requires passing the TMC at the high-cut score AND the CSE (~$200). That is ~$390 in NBRC exam fees alone to reach RRT, compared to ~$190 for CRT only. In the 3 states that require the RRT as the minimum, you must plan for both exams.
5 Cheapest States (Government Fees)
Min credential: CRT (minimum NBRC credential required for RI licensure) • CE: 12 hrs • Renewal: 2 years (biennial)
5 Most Expensive States (Government Fees)
Min credential: CRT (as of November 2023 law amendment) • CE: 30 hrs • Renewal: 2 years (biennial)
Min credential: CRT • CE: 0 hrs • Renewal: 3 years (triennial, renew by June 30 every 3 years: 2026, 2029, 2032)
Full State Table — All 51 States
Government fees only. NBRC exam fees (~$190 TMC, ~$200 CSE) and education costs are additional. Sorted alphabetically.
| State | Licensed | Min Credential | Gov’t Fees | CE Hours | Renewal | Telehealth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Yes | CRT (NBRC) | $320 | 24 hrs | 2 years | Yes |
| Alaska | No | — | — | — | N/A — no state license exists to renew | — |
| Arizona | Yes | CRT | $460 | 20 hrs | 2 years (biennial) | Yes |
| Arkansas | Yes | CRT | $265 | 12 hrs | 2 years | Yes |
| California | Yes | CRT | $615 | 15 hrs | 2 years | Yes |
| Colorado | Yes | CRT | $275 | 0 hrs | 2 years (biennial) | Yes |
| Connecticut | Yes | CRT | $380 (application fee $190 + TMC exam fee $190) | 10 hrs | Annual (1 year) | Yes |
| Delaware | Yes | CRT | $291 | 20 hrs | 2 years (expires November 30 of even-numbered years) | Yes |
| District of Columbia | Yes | CRT | $444 | 16 hrs | 2 years | Yes |
| Florida | Yes | CRT | $355 | 24 hrs | 2 years (biennial) | Yes |
| Georgia | Yes | CRT | $340 | 30 hrs | 2 years | Yes |
| Hawaii | Yes | CRT | $460 | 0 hrs | 3 years (triennial, renew by June 30 every 3 years: 2026, 2029, 2032) | Yes |
| Idaho | Yes | CRT | $255 | 12 hrs | 1 year | Yes |
| Illinois | Yes | CRT (NBRC credential required) | $310 | 24 hrs | 2 years | Yes |
| Indiana | Yes | CRT | $240 | 15 hrs | 2 years | Yes |
| Iowa | Yes | CRT | $265 | 24 hrs | Biennial (license expires March 31 of even-numbered years) | Yes |
| Kansas | Yes | CRT | $290 | 24 hrs | 2 years | Yes |
| Kentucky | Yes | CRT | $340 | 24 hrs | 2 years | Yes |
| Louisiana | Yes | CRT | $353 | 10 hrs | 1 year | Yes |
| Maine | Yes | CRT | $276 | 0 hrs | 1 year | Yes |
| Maryland | Yes | CRT | $390 | 16 hrs | 2 years | Yes |
| Massachusetts | Yes | CRT | $450 | 20 hrs | 2 years | Yes |
| Michigan | Yes | CRT | $285 | 24 hrs | 2 years | Yes |
| Minnesota | Yes | CRT | $399 | 24 hrs | 1 year | Yes |
| Mississippi | Yes | CRT | $265 | 20 hrs | 2 years | Yes |
| Missouri | Yes | CRT | $230 | 24 hrs | 2 years | Yes |
| Montana | Yes | CRT | $290 | 12 hrs | Annual (expires May 1 each year; renewal window March 3 – May 1, with 45-day late renewal until June 16) | Yes |
| Nebraska | Yes | CRT | $308 | 20 hrs | Biennial (even-numbered years, expiration June 1 of each even-numbered year) | Yes |
| Nevada | Yes | CRT | $475 | 20 hrs | 2 years (biennial) | Yes |
| New Hampshire | Yes | CRT | $360 | 24 hrs | 2 years | Yes |
| New Jersey | Yes | CRT (as of November 2023 law amendment) | $475 | 30 hrs | 2 years (biennial) | Yes |
| New Mexico | Yes | CRT | $340 | 20 hrs | 2 years | Yes |
| New York | Yes | CRT | $484 | 30 hrs | 3 years | Yes |
| North Carolina | Yes | CRT | $365 | 12 hrs | 1 year (annual) | Yes |
| North Dakota | Yes | CRT | $270 | 10 hrs | 1 year | Yes |
| Ohio | Yes | RRT | $265 | 20 hrs | 2 years | Yes |
| Oklahoma | Yes | CRT | $265 | 12 hrs | 2 years (biennially) | Yes |
| Oregon | Yes | RRT | $290 | 15 hrs | 1 year | Yes |
| Pennsylvania | Yes | CRT | $220 | 30 hrs | 2 years | Yes |
| Rhode Island | Yes | CRT (minimum NBRC credential required for RI licensure) | $250 | 12 hrs | 2 years (biennial) | Yes |
| South Carolina | Yes | CRT | $265 | 30 hrs | 2 years | Yes |
| South Dakota | Yes | CRT | $250 | 20 hrs | 2 years (biennial) | Yes |
| Tennessee | Yes | CRT | $340 | 24 hrs | 2 years | Yes |
| Texas | Yes | CRT (NBRC Therapist Multiple-Choice Examination pass at low-cut score minimum) | $365 | 24 hrs | Biennial (every 2 years, expiring May 31 or November 30) | Yes |
| Utah | Yes | CRT | $250 | 0 hrs | 2 years | Yes |
| Vermont | Yes | CRT | $305 | 12 hrs | 2 years | Yes |
| Virginia | Yes | CRT | $325 | 20 hrs | Biennially, during birth month in each odd-numbered year | Yes |
| Washington | Yes | RRT | $355 | 30 hrs | 2 years | Yes |
| West Virginia | Yes | CRT | $255 | 20 hrs | 1 year | Yes |
| Wisconsin | Yes | CRT | $250 | 0 hrs | 2 years (renewal date 06/30/even years) | Yes |
| Wyoming | Yes | CRT | $290 | 8 hrs | 1 year | Yes |
How to Reduce Your Total Cost
Choose a community college CoARC program
Community college associate’s degree programs in respiratory therapy typically cost $10,000–$20,000, compared to $40,000+ at private colleges. The CoARC accreditation and resulting NBRC credentials are identical.
Earn the RRT on the first attempt
The TMC and CSE exams cost ~$390 combined. Each failed attempt costs additional fees and delays. Thorough preparation with NBRC practice exams and review courses is worth the investment.
Use AARC membership for free CE
The American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) offers CE courses free or at steep discounts to members. Annual AARC membership ($80–$120) can pay for itself quickly through CE savings, especially for the NBRC’s 30 CE credits required per 5-year maintenance cycle.
Negotiate CE reimbursement with employers
Most hospitals and healthcare systems support RT licensure maintenance as part of employment. Ask about CE reimbursement, paid time off for conferences, and employer-sponsored specialty credential programs.
Consider lower-fee states if relocating
Government fees range from $220 to $615. While this difference is modest compared to education costs, in states requiring CoARC accreditation (50 states), you have full flexibility to practice anywhere those credentials are accepted.
Next Steps
How to Become a Respiratory Therapist →
Education, NBRC exams, and state licensure steps
Easiest States for RT Licensure →
Ranked by credential requirements, fees, and CE burden
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
- Data last verified March 2026
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