Respiratory Therapist / Florida
2026 data Florida board official source

Florida 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 Florida data shows for Respiratory Therapists

Florida's path to respiratory therapist licensure runs through 2,122 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. Florida folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Associate Degree".

Upfront cost is $174, with renewal running $143 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
44/100
Respiratory Therapist · Florida

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
2,122 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$174
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$72/yr
$143 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 Florida

Education / Training Hours
Associate Degree
2,122 hours
Exam Requirement
TMC Exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice)
Required
Initial License Fee
$174
Renewal Fee
$143
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 Florida licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Florida licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Respiratory Therapist in Florida? ▼
In Florida, the license path calls for 2122 education/training hours, a passing score on TMC Exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice), and a $174 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Respiratory Therapist in Florida? ▼
Florida licenses respiratory therapists who complete its requirements (2122 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Florida licensing board.
Can I transfer my Respiratory Therapist license to Florida 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 Florida licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does Florida require a background check for Respiratory Therapist licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for respiratory therapist licensing in Florida. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for Respiratory Therapist in Florida? ▼
To stay licensed as a respiratory therapist in Florida, plan on 24 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $143.

Related Guides

What to do with this respiratory therapist license

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

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

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