Respiratory Therapist / Iowa
2026 data Iowa board official source

Iowa Respiratory Therapist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

State-board requirements, fees, and renewal cycle drawn from official regulator records.

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Treats patients with breathing disorders. Requires TMC exam.

What the Iowa data shows for Respiratory Therapists

Becoming a licensed respiratory therapist in Iowa means clearing a defined set of hurdles: 1,689 training hours, a passing score on TMC Exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice), plus a background history check once the applicant turns 18. Iowa regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Associate Degree".

Budget $88 to get started, plus $78 at each renewal on a 2-year cycle. The license also carries an ongoing 24-hour continuing-education requirement per 2-year cycle that adds to the true cost of staying licensed.

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

Licensing Ease Score

C
Licensing Ease Score
58/100
Respiratory Therapist · Iowa

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
1,689 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee C+
$88
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden B-
$39/yr
$78 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 Iowa

Education / Training Hours
Associate Degree
1,689 hours
Exam Requirement
TMC Exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice)
Required
Initial License Fee
$88
Renewal Fee
$78
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 Iowa licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Iowa licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Respiratory Therapist in Iowa? ▼
In Iowa, the license path calls for 1689 education/training hours, a passing score on TMC Exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice), and a $88 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Respiratory Therapist in Iowa? ▼
Iowa licenses respiratory therapists who complete its requirements (1689 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Iowa licensing board.
Can I transfer my Respiratory Therapist license to Iowa 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 Iowa licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does Iowa require a background check for Respiratory Therapist licensing? ▼
Iowa 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 Iowa? ▼
To stay licensed as a respiratory therapist in Iowa, plan on 24 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $78.

Related Guides

What to do with this respiratory therapist license

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

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

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