How Long Does It Take to Become a Respiratory Therapist (2026)

Q: "How many years does it take to become a respiratory therapist?"

"Commonly two to four years of school, depending on whether you choose an associate or bachelor's degree, plus a few months for the NBRC exams and state licensure. Prerequisites can add a semester or two before admission. Program length varies by school."

Q: "Is there a one-year respiratory therapy program?"

"Not for initial entry. NBRC requires at least an associate degree from a respiratory care program holding CoARC accreditation, which typically takes about two years. Shorter programs exist only for people who are already credentialed and are adding a bachelor's or a specialty."

Q: "What is the difference between CRT and RRT, and does it change the timeline?"

"Both come from the same TMC exam; a higher score qualifies you to sit for the Clinical Simulation Exam, which earns the RRT. Pursuing the RRT adds one more exam, usually within a few months, and it is the credential most hospital employers prefer."

Q: "Can I work while in respiratory therapy school?"

"Many students do, but clinical rotations follow hospital schedules and can include early mornings, nights, and weekends. Programs with part-time tracks exist and take longer. Ask each program about the weekly time commitment."

Q: "Do I need a bachelor's degree to be a respiratory therapist?"

"No. The associate degree meets NBRC and most state requirements. Some employers and professional groups have signaled a preference for bachelor's-prepared therapists, and degree-completion programs of one to two years exist for working RRTs who want to add it later."

Updated August 26, 2026 Table of Contents

Becoming a respiratory therapist commonly takes two to four years: about two years for an associate degree, which is the minimum for entry, or about four years for a bachelor’s degree, plus a few months afterward for the NBRC credentialing exams and state licensure. Nearly every state licenses respiratory therapists, and the license generally depends on passing the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) exams, so the timeline always includes a testing and application stage after graduation. Prerequisite coursework taken before admission can add another semester or two. Program lengths vary by school, and licensing requirements vary by state.

Respiratory Therapist Timeline at a Glance

Step	Typical timing	Notes
Prerequisites (anatomy, chemistry, math)	Often 1 to 2 semesters	Frequently taken before admission
Associate degree in respiratory therapy	Typically about 2 years	Minimum for NBRC eligibility
Bachelor’s degree in respiratory therapy	Typically about 4 years	Growing preference among some employers
NBRC TMC exam, then Clinical Simulation exam	Weeks to a few months after graduation	Two-step credentialing
State licensure	Several weeks to a few months	Varies by state
Total, most people	Roughly 2.5 to 4.5 years	Varies by program and state

The Short Answer

The program itself is the largest block of time, and it comes in two sizes: an associate degree of about two years or a bachelor’s degree of about four. Unlike some health fields, there is no certificate-only route into respiratory therapy; the associate degree is the floor because NBRC requires graduation from a respiratory care program at that level or higher that holds CoARC accreditation. Around the program sit two smaller blocks that people often forget to count: prerequisites before admission and credentialing plus licensure after graduation.

For a student starting with no college credit, a realistic total is about two and a half to three years through the associate route and four to four and a half through the bachelor’s route. People who already hold a degree or have science coursework behind them can trim the front end. Individual timelines vary.

Training Routes and Typical Timelines

Route	Typical length	What it includes
Associate degree (AAS or AS) in respiratory therapy	Typically about 2 years after prerequisites	Cardiopulmonary anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, mechanical ventilation, patient assessment, neonatal and pediatric care, critical care, extensive supervised clinical rotations
Bachelor’s degree (BS) in respiratory therapy or respiratory care	Typically about 4 years	The associate curriculum plus leadership, research, advanced critical care, and general education
Degree-completion (RRT to BS) program	Often 1 to 2 years, frequently online	For credentialed therapists adding a bachelor’s while working
Master’s degree in respiratory care	Typically 1 to 2 years after a bachelor’s	Advanced practice, education, or management tracks; some are entry-level programs for people with a bachelor’s in another field

Curricula vary by program, but every program includes substantial clinical hours in hospitals, because ventilator management and airway care are learned at the bedside. Programs should hold accreditation from a recognized accreditor such as the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC); verify with the school, since NBRC eligibility depends on it.

What Adds Time

Prerequisites and competitive admission. Many programs require anatomy, physiology, chemistry, microbiology, and math before you apply, and admit one cohort per year. Missing a deadline can cost a full year.
Part-time schedules. Some programs offer part-time tracks that extend the associate degree to three years or more.
Clinical placement limits. Programs depend on hospital partners for rotations. Limited sites can slow progression, especially in specialty rotations such as neonatal intensive care.
Two-exam credentialing. NBRC’s Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) exam comes first; a high enough score then qualifies you for the Clinical Simulation Exam (CSE) needed for the RRT credential. Scheduling both, and any retakes, adds weeks to months.
State licensing processing. Background checks, transcript verification, and board review times vary by state.
Bachelor’s completion later. Some therapists add a bachelor’s after starting work. This does not delay the first job, but it does extend the total education timeline by one to two years.

What Can Shorten It

Prior college coursework or a previous degree. Science and general education credits often transfer, which can eliminate the prerequisite stage and shorten a bachelor’s program. Transfer policies vary by school.
Related healthcare experience. EMT, nursing assistant, or patient care technician experience does not shorten the degree, but it can strengthen an application and make clinical rotations go more smoothly.
Completing prerequisites before applying. Being fully ready for the next admission cycle avoids the most common one-year delay.
Testing soon after graduation. Taking the TMC exam within a few weeks of finishing, then the CSE promptly, keeps the credentialing stage short.
Entry-level master’s programs. For people who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field, a two-year entry-level master’s can be shorter than starting a second bachelor’s.

After Training: Exams and Credentials

The NBRC offers the two credentials that define the profession. Passing the Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) exam at the lower cut score earns the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credential; passing it at the higher cut score makes you eligible for the Clinical Simulation Exam (CSE), and passing the CSE earns the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential. The RRT is the standard most hospital employers look for, and many job postings list it specifically. NBRC also offers specialty credentials in neonatal/pediatric care, adult critical care, sleep disorders, and pulmonary function technology for therapists who want to specialize later.

Nearly all states license respiratory therapists, and the license typically rests on NBRC credentials plus a background check and application. Licensing requirements vary by state; check your state board for current rules, including which NBRC credential the state accepts and what continuing education it expects for renewal.

Pay and Job Outlook

Occupation	BLS median (May 2025)	Projected growth 2024-34	Openings per year
Respiratory Therapists (SOC 29-1126)	$82,280	12.1 percent	About 8,800

According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, the lowest 10 percent of respiratory therapists earned less than $63,660 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $118,050. BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34, expects growth of 12.1 percent, faster than the average across all occupations, with about 8,800 openings per year. Hospitals employ the majority of respiratory therapists, and shift work including nights and weekends is normal in the field. Pay varies by employer, location, experience, and credentials; individual outcomes may vary.

FAQs

How many years does it take to become a respiratory therapist?

Commonly two to four years of school, depending on whether you choose an associate or bachelor’s degree, plus a few months for the NBRC exams and state licensure. Prerequisites can add a semester or two before admission. Program length varies by school.

Is there a one-year respiratory therapy program?

Not for initial entry. NBRC requires at least an associate degree from a respiratory care program holding CoARC accreditation, which typically takes about two years. Shorter programs exist only for people who are already credentialed and are adding a bachelor’s or a specialty.

What is the difference between CRT and RRT, and does it change the timeline?

Both come from the same TMC exam; a higher score qualifies you to sit for the Clinical Simulation Exam, which earns the RRT. Pursuing the RRT adds one more exam, usually within a few months, and it is the credential most hospital employers prefer.

Can I work while in respiratory therapy school?

Many students do, but clinical rotations follow hospital schedules and can include early mornings, nights, and weekends. Programs with part-time tracks exist and take longer. Ask each program about the weekly time commitment.

Do I need a bachelor’s degree to be a respiratory therapist?

No. The associate degree meets NBRC and most state requirements. Some employers and professional groups have signaled a preference for bachelor’s-prepared therapists, and degree-completion programs of one to two years exist for working RRTs who want to add it later.

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