Respiratory Therapist / Arkansas
2026 data Arkansas board official source

Arkansas 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.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Treats patients with breathing disorders. Requires TMC exam.

What the Arkansas data shows for Respiratory Therapists

To practice as a respiratory therapist in Arkansas, the state licensing board requires 1,743 documented education or training hours, a passing score on TMC Exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice). A criminal history background check is also part of the application. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. The regulation sits under Arkansas's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Associate Degree".

The initial price tag is $99, and renewal costs $86 every 2 years. Renewal isn't the end of the cost: 24 hours of continuing education are due every 2-year cycle, a recurring time commitment worth planning for.

For respiratory therapists, the reciprocity picture is: Respiratory Therapy Licensure Compact: adoption underway.

Licensing Ease Score

C
Licensing Ease Score
55/100
Respiratory Therapist · Arkansas

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
1,743 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee C-
$99
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden C+
$43/yr
$86 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 Arkansas

Education / Training Hours
Associate Degree
1,743 hours
Exam Requirement
TMC Exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice)
Required
Initial License Fee
$99
Renewal Fee
$86
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 Arkansas licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Arkansas licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Respiratory Therapist in Arkansas? ▼
In Arkansas, the license path calls for 1743 education/training hours, a passing score on TMC Exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice), and a $99 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Respiratory Therapist in Arkansas? ▼
Certification as a respiratory therapist in Arkansas means clearing the state's checklist: 1743 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The Arkansas licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Respiratory Therapist license to Arkansas from another state? ▼
Respiratory Therapist licenses generally reciprocate as follows: Respiratory Therapy Licensure Compact: adoption underway. Interstate licensing compacts cover many professions and can further ease a move between states. The Arkansas licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does Arkansas require a background check for Respiratory Therapist licensing? ▼
Yes, Arkansas requires a criminal background check as part of the respiratory therapist licensing process. Disqualifying offenses and review criteria are determined by the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Respiratory Therapist in Arkansas? ▼
Licensed respiratory therapists in Arkansas must complete 24 hours of continuing education every 2 years. The renewal fee is $86.

Related Guides

What to do with this respiratory therapist license

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

  • See how Arkansas'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 Arkansas's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Arkansas overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Arkansas 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.