Respiratory Therapist / Alabama
2026 data Alabama board official source

Alabama Respiratory Therapist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Requirements, fees, and renewal timing for this license, sourced from state board records.

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Treats patients with breathing disorders. Requires TMC exam.

What the Alabama data shows for Respiratory Therapists

Alabama sets the entry bar for respiratory therapists at 1,811 training hours and a passing score on TMC Exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice). A background check is a standard part of the process, and applicants must be 18 or older. The credential is administered under Alabama's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Associate Degree".

The initial price tag is $112, and renewal costs $97 every 2 years. The license also carries an ongoing 24-hour continuing-education requirement per 2-year cycle that adds to the true cost of staying licensed.

Reciprocity for this profession works like this: Respiratory Therapy Licensure Compact: adoption underway.

Licensing Ease Score

C-
Licensing Ease Score
53/100
Respiratory Therapist · Alabama

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training F
1,811 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee D
$112
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden C
$49/yr
$97 every 2 years
Continuing Education C-
12.0 hrs/yr
24 hours every 2 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Alabama

Education / Training Hours
Associate Degree
1,811 hours
Exam Requirement
TMC Exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice)
Required
Initial License Fee
$112
Renewal Fee
$97
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
24 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Respiratory Therapist All Alabama licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Alabama licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Respiratory Therapist in Alabama? ▼
In Alabama, the license path calls for 1811 education/training hours, a passing score on TMC Exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice), and a $112 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Respiratory Therapist in Alabama? ▼
Certification as a respiratory therapist in Alabama means clearing the state's checklist: 1811 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The Alabama licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Respiratory Therapist license to Alabama from another state? ▼
For respiratory therapists, the reciprocity landscape looks like this: Respiratory Therapy Licensure Compact: adoption underway. Many professions are also covered by interstate licensing compacts that facilitate portability between states. Contact the Alabama licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does Alabama require a background check for Respiratory Therapist licensing? ▼
Background screening is part of the respiratory therapist licensing process in Alabama. The state licensing board determines which offenses disqualify an applicant and how appeals are handled.
What are the continuing education requirements for Respiratory Therapist in Alabama? ▼
To stay licensed as a respiratory therapist in Alabama, plan on 24 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $97.

Related Guides

What to do with this respiratory therapist license

Respiratory Therapist in Alabama, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a respiratory therapist-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Alabama's respiratory therapist requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Respiratory Therapist in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state respiratory therapist license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Alabama's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Alabama overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Alabama licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.