Respiratory Therapist / California
2026 data California board official source

California Respiratory Therapist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.

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Treats patients with breathing disorders. Requires TMC exam.

What the California data shows for Respiratory Therapists

Becoming a licensed respiratory therapist in California means clearing a defined set of hurdles: 2,486 training hours, a passing score on TMC Exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice), plus a background history check once the applicant turns 18. California regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Associate Degree".

Upfront cost is $247, with renewal running $198 on a 2-year cycle. Maintaining the license requires 24 hours of continuing education per 2-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

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

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
38/100
Respiratory Therapist · California

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
2,486 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$247
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$99/yr
$198 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 California

Education / Training Hours
Associate Degree
2,486 hours
Exam Requirement
TMC Exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice)
Required
Initial License Fee
$247
Renewal Fee
$198
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 California licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with California licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Respiratory Therapist in California? ▼
California's requirements cover 2486 hours of education or training, the TMC Exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice) exam, and an initial fee of $247. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Respiratory Therapist in California? ▼
To become a licensed respiratory therapist in California, you must meet the state's requirements including 2486 hours of education. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the California licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Respiratory Therapist license to California 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 California licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does California require a background check for Respiratory Therapist licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for respiratory therapist licensing in California. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for Respiratory Therapist in California? ▼
Licensed respiratory therapists in California must complete 24 hours of continuing education every 2 years. The renewal fee is $198.

Related Guides

What to do with this respiratory therapist license

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

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

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