2026 data Maine board official source

Maine Respiratory Therapist License Requirements

What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.

Treats patients with breathing disorders. Requires TMC exam.

What the Maine data shows for Respiratory Therapists

Becoming a licensed respiratory therapist in Maine means clearing a defined set of hurdles: 1,527 training hours, a passing score on TMC Exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice), plus a background history check once the applicant turns 18. Maine regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Associate Degree".

Upfront cost is $55, with renewal running $54 on a 2-year cycle. Maintaining the license requires 24 hours of continuing education per 2-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

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

Licensing Ease Score

B-
Licensing Ease Score
66/100
Respiratory Therapist · Maine

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
1,527 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee A
$55
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden B+
$27/yr
$54 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 Maine

Education / Training Hours
Associate Degree
1,527 hours
Exam Requirement
TMC Exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice)
Required
Initial License Fee
$55
Renewal Fee
$54
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
24 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Maine licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Respiratory Therapist in Maine?
Maine requires 1527 education/training hours, passing an exam (TMC Exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice)), and an initial fee of $55. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Respiratory Therapist in Maine?
Maine licenses respiratory therapists who complete its requirements (1527 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Maine licensing board.
Can I transfer my Respiratory Therapist license to Maine 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 Maine licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does Maine require a background check for Respiratory Therapist licensing?
A criminal background check is mandatory for respiratory therapist licensing in Maine. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for Respiratory Therapist in Maine?
To stay licensed as a respiratory therapist in Maine, plan on 24 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $54.

What to do with this respiratory therapist license

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

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

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