Respiratory Therapist / Georgia
2026 data Georgia board official source

Georgia Respiratory Therapist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

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Treats patients with breathing disorders. Requires TMC exam.

What the Georgia data shows for Respiratory Therapists

To practice as a respiratory therapist in Georgia, the state licensing board requires 1,959 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 Georgia's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Associate Degree".

Upfront cost is $142, with renewal running $119 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.

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

Licensing Ease Score

D
Licensing Ease Score
48/100
Respiratory Therapist · Georgia

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
1,959 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$142
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden D
$60/yr
$119 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 Georgia

Education / Training Hours
Associate Degree
1,959 hours
Exam Requirement
TMC Exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice)
Required
Initial License Fee
$142
Renewal Fee
$119
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 Georgia licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Georgia licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Respiratory Therapist in Georgia? ▼
In Georgia, the license path calls for 1959 education/training hours, a passing score on TMC Exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice), and a $142 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Respiratory Therapist in Georgia? ▼
Certification as a respiratory therapist in Georgia means clearing the state's checklist: 1959 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The Georgia licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Respiratory Therapist license to Georgia from another state? ▼
Here's how reciprocity typically plays out for respiratory therapists: Respiratory Therapy Licensure Compact: adoption underway. Many occupations are additionally covered by interstate licensing compacts that ease cross-state moves. Check with the Georgia licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does Georgia require a background check for Respiratory Therapist licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for respiratory therapist licensing in Georgia. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for Respiratory Therapist in Georgia? ▼
Georgia ties continued respiratory therapist licensure to 24 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $119 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this respiratory therapist license

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

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

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