Respiratory Therapist / Delaware
2026 data Delaware board official source

Delaware 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 Delaware data shows for Respiratory Therapists

Delaware's path to respiratory therapist licensure runs through 2,054 hours of approved instruction and a passing score on TMC Exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice), plus a criminal history screening before applicants younger than 18 can be licensed. Delaware folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Associate Degree".

Budget $161 to get started, plus $133 at each renewal on a 2-year cycle. 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.

On reciprocity, respiratory therapists should know: Respiratory Therapy Licensure Compact: adoption underway.

Licensing Ease Score

D
Licensing Ease Score
45/100
Respiratory Therapist · Delaware

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
2,054 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$161
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden D
$67/yr
$133 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 Delaware

Education / Training Hours
Associate Degree
2,054 hours
Exam Requirement
TMC Exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice)
Required
Initial License Fee
$161
Renewal Fee
$133
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 Delaware licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Delaware licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Respiratory Therapist in Delaware? ▼
Delaware's requirements cover 2054 hours of education or training, the TMC Exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice) exam, and an initial fee of $161. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Respiratory Therapist in Delaware? ▼
Delaware licenses respiratory therapists who complete its requirements (2054 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Delaware licensing board.
Can I transfer my Respiratory Therapist license to Delaware 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 Delaware licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does Delaware require a background check for Respiratory Therapist licensing? ▼
Delaware does require a background check before issuing a respiratory therapist license. What counts as disqualifying, and how it's reviewed, is up to the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Respiratory Therapist in Delaware? ▼
Licensed respiratory therapists in Delaware must complete 24 hours of continuing education every 2 years. The renewal fee is $133.

Related Guides

What to do with this respiratory therapist license

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

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

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