Education · 1 of 5
The path
An accredited two-year degree, national board exams, then a state license.
- 1
High school
Grades 11 and 12
Biology, chemistry, algebra and physics. Physics matters more here than in most health careers, because you spend your life on gases and pressure.
- 2
Get into an accredited program
Apply a year ahead
It must be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care, or the national exams are closed to you. Most are associate degrees at community colleges; some are bachelor's degrees.
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Classroom, lab and clinical rotations
2 years
Lung anatomy, ventilator mechanics, blood gas analysis and pharmacology, alongside hundreds of supervised hours in real hospital units.
- 4
Pass the board exams
2 to 4 months
The entry exam leads to the CRT (Certified Respiratory Therapist) credential. Score above the higher cut and sit a clinical simulation exam and you earn the RRT (Registered Respiratory Therapist), which most hospitals now require.
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State license and first job
1 to 3 months
Apply to your state's licensing board, then join a hospital respiratory department, usually with several months of supervised orientation.