Respiratory Therapist / Illinois
2026 data Illinois board official source

Illinois 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 Illinois data shows for Respiratory Therapists

Illinois sets the entry bar for respiratory therapists at 2,419 training hours and a passing score on TMC Exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice). A background check is a standard part of the process, and applicants must be 18 or older. The credential is administered under Illinois's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Associate Degree".

Upfront cost is $234, with renewal running $188 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

F
Licensing Ease Score
39/100
Respiratory Therapist · Illinois

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
2,419 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$234
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$94/yr
$188 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 Illinois

Education / Training Hours
Associate Degree
2,419 hours
Exam Requirement
TMC Exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice)
Required
Initial License Fee
$234
Renewal Fee
$188
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 Illinois licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Illinois licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Respiratory Therapist in Illinois? ▼
Illinois requires 2419 education/training hours, passing an exam (TMC Exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice)), and an initial fee of $234. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Respiratory Therapist in Illinois? ▼
Illinois licenses respiratory therapists who complete its requirements (2419 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Illinois licensing board.
Can I transfer my Respiratory Therapist license to Illinois 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 Illinois licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does Illinois require a background check for Respiratory Therapist licensing? ▼
Yes, Illinois requires a criminal background check as part of the respiratory therapist licensing process. Disqualifying offenses and review criteria are determined by the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Respiratory Therapist in Illinois? ▼
Licensed respiratory therapists in Illinois must complete 24 hours of continuing education every 2 years. The renewal fee is $188.

Related Guides

What to do with this respiratory therapist license

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

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

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