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How to become a licensed respiratory therapist in Oregon. State licensure required. Minimum credential: RRT. Education: Associate's degree. Total initial fees: $290. Verified 2026-03-09. Data verified 2026-03-09. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Respiratory Therapist
Governing Authority
Oregon Respiratory Therapist and Polysomnographic Technologist Licensing Board
Official website →RT
Credential Title
Required
TMC Exam
Not Required
CSE Exam
Associate's degree
Min. Degree
15 hrs
CE Hours
$290
Total Initial Fees
Official Title
Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT)
Requirements
Graduate from CoARC-accredited program + pass NBRC TMC exam
NBRC Credential Required
CRT
Additional Requirements
Official Title
Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT)
Requirements
CRT credential + pass NBRC CSE (Clinical Simulation Exam)
NBRC Credential Required
RRT
Additional Requirements
Education & Program Requirements
VerifiedMinimum Degree
Associate's degree
CoARC Accredited
Required
Program Length
2 years
Clinical Hours
Varies by program (set by CoARC-accredited programs) hours
Accepted Programs
Respiratory therapy programs must be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC). Graduates are eligible to sit for the NBRC Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) examination.
Exam Requirements
VerifiedRequired
NBRC TMC Exam
→ CRT
Not Required
NBRC CSE Exam
→ RRT
Required
Jurisprudence Exam
NBRC Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) Exam → CRT
160
Questions
3 hrs
Time Limit
Scaled score; low-cut for CRT, high-cut for RRT eligibility
Passing Score
$190
Exam Fee
Format: Computer-based, multiple-choice
Jurisprudence Exam Details
Oregon Laws and Administrative Rules examination required within 2 years before application
Authorized Practice Areas
VerifiedAuthorized
Ventilator Management
Authorized
Oxygen Therapy
Authorized
Arterial Blood Gases (ABGs)
Authorized
Pulmonary Function Testing (PFTs)
Authorized
Airway Management
Authorized
Medication Administration
Additional Scope
Notes
Full respiratory therapy scope under physician orders or protocols
Supervision Requirements
VerifiedPhysician Supervision
Required
Supervision Type
General supervision
Protocol-Based Practice Allowed
Details
Respiratory therapists in Oregon practice under physician orders or approved institutional protocols. Direct bedside supervision is generally not required for routine procedures.
Respiratory therapists typically work under the direction of a physician, but the level of supervision varies by state. Some states allow protocol-based practice where RTs follow physician-approved protocols without direct orders.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $100 |
NBRC TMC Exam Fee | $190 |
NBRC CSE Exam Fee | $200 |
State License Fee | $100 |
Renewal Fee | $50 |
Total Initial Fees Includes NBRC TMC exam ($190) and application/license fee ($100); CSE/RRT fees additional | $290 |
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified1 year
Renewal Period
15 hrs
CE Hours Required
Yes
NBRC Maintenance
CE Topics
Renewal Fee
$50
Regulatory Board
Respiratory therapist licenses must be renewed on schedule. Most states require continuing education covering clinical practice updates, patient safety, and emerging respiratory care technologies.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State Credentials
NBRC Credential-Based Transfer
Accepted
Reciprocity Type
Endorsement
Transfer Details
Accepts out-of-state applicants with NBRC credentials and good standing
Additional Requirements for Transfer
Respiratory therapist license transfer is typically facilitated by holding current NBRC credentials (CRT or RRT). Most states accept the NBRC credential as the primary basis for out-of-state licensure.
Oregon requires 30 CE hours biennially and combines RT and polysomnographic technologist licensing under one board.
Telehealth Rules
VerifiedTelehealth: Allowed
Remote Monitoring: Allowed
Telehealth permitted for licensed respiratory therapists in Oregon
Board also licenses polysomnographic technologists
30 CE hours per biennium — one of the highest
NBRC exam system changes January 2027: The current TMC + CSE two-exam system will be replaced by a single 'Respiratory Therapy Examination' (185 questions, 4 hours, $360 new applicants / $300 repeat). Two cut scores will award CRT (low) or RRT (high) — no separate CSE needed. The CRT-to-Registry pathway is eliminated December 31, 2026. CSE remains available through December 31, 2027 for those who passed TMC high cut before that date.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Oregon.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#7 of 51
Cost
#20 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Respiratory Therapists (SOC 29-1126)
Entry Level
$82,490
25th percentile
Median
$96,130
+19% vs. national avg ($80,450)Experienced
$101,390
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
1,410 employed in this state
Source: BLS OEWS – Respiratory Therapists (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+9.7%
High DemandNew Jobs
+12,700
over 10 years
Annual Openings
8,100
per year (avg.)
131,400 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Respiratory Care Career Path
You are here
Respiratory Therapist
$96,130
Associate/bachelor's in respiratory care + NBRC TMC + CSE
You are here
Respiratory Therapist
Associate/bachelor's in respiratory care + NBRC TMC + CSE
$96,130
Bachelor's + perfusion program (2 years) + ABCP certification
$73,850
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 112–222 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
4–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Study guides for the TMC and RRT certification exams.
Browse Study Guides on Amazon →As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Current as of accessed date
Accessed 2026-03-09
Current as of accessed date
Accessed 2026-03-09
Current as of accessed date
Accessed 2026-03-09
Oregon requires state licensure for respiratory therapists. The minimum credential is RRT. All licensing is managed through the Oregon Respiratory Therapist and Polysomnographic Technologist Licensing Board.
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.