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.
- 3
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 exam
2 to 4 months
From January 2027 there is one exam. Pass at the lower cut score for the CRT (Certified Respiratory Therapist) credential, or at the higher one for the RRT (Registered Respiratory Therapist), which most hospitals now require.
- 5
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.