Respiratory Therapist / Louisiana
2026 data Louisiana board official source

Louisiana 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 Louisiana data shows for Respiratory Therapists

Louisiana's path to respiratory therapist licensure runs through 2,230 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. Louisiana folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Associate Degree".

The initial price tag is $196, and renewal costs $159 every 2 years. 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

D
Licensing Ease Score
42/100
Respiratory Therapist · Louisiana

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
2,230 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$196
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$80/yr
$159 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 Louisiana

Education / Training Hours
Associate Degree
2,230 hours
Exam Requirement
TMC Exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice)
Required
Initial License Fee
$196
Renewal Fee
$159
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 Louisiana licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Louisiana licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Respiratory Therapist in Louisiana? ▼
Louisiana's requirements cover 2230 hours of education or training, the TMC Exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice) exam, and an initial fee of $196. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Respiratory Therapist in Louisiana? ▼
To become a licensed respiratory therapist in Louisiana, you must meet the state's requirements including 2230 hours of education. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Louisiana licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Respiratory Therapist license to Louisiana 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 Louisiana licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does Louisiana require a background check for Respiratory Therapist licensing? ▼
Background screening is part of the respiratory therapist licensing process in Louisiana. The state licensing board determines which offenses disqualify an applicant and how appeals are handled.
What are the continuing education requirements for Respiratory Therapist in Louisiana? ▼
To stay licensed as a respiratory therapist in Louisiana, plan on 24 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $159.

Related Guides

What to do with this respiratory therapist license

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

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

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