Respiratory Therapist / Massachusetts
2026 data Massachusetts board official source

Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts data shows for Respiratory Therapists

Massachusetts sets the entry bar for respiratory therapists at 2,135 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 Massachusetts's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Associate Degree".

Budget $177 to get started, plus $145 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.

For respiratory therapists, the reciprocity picture is: Respiratory Therapy Licensure Compact: adoption underway.

Licensing Ease Score

D
Licensing Ease Score
44/100
Respiratory Therapist · Massachusetts

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
2,135 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$177
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$73/yr
$145 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 Massachusetts

Education / Training Hours
Associate Degree
2,135 hours
Exam Requirement
TMC Exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice)
Required
Initial License Fee
$177
Renewal Fee
$145
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 Massachusetts licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Massachusetts licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Respiratory Therapist in Massachusetts? ▼
Massachusetts's requirements cover 2135 hours of education or training, the TMC Exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice) exam, and an initial fee of $177. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Respiratory Therapist in Massachusetts? ▼
Massachusetts licenses respiratory therapists who complete its requirements (2135 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Massachusetts licensing board.
Can I transfer my Respiratory Therapist license to Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does Massachusetts require a background check for Respiratory Therapist licensing? ▼
Background screening is part of the respiratory therapist licensing process in Massachusetts. 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 Massachusetts? ▼
Massachusetts ties continued respiratory therapist licensure to 24 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $145 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this respiratory therapist license

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

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

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