Respiratory Therapist / Michigan
2026 data Michigan board official source

Michigan 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 Michigan data shows for Respiratory Therapists

Becoming a licensed respiratory therapist in Michigan means clearing a defined set of hurdles: 1,973 training hours, a passing score on TMC Exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice), plus a background history check once the applicant turns 18. Michigan regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Associate Degree".

Budget $145 to get started, plus $121 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.

Reciprocity for this profession works like this: Respiratory Therapy Licensure Compact: adoption underway.

Licensing Ease Score

D
Licensing Ease Score
48/100
Respiratory Therapist · Michigan

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
1,973 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$145
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden D
$61/yr
$121 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 Michigan

Education / Training Hours
Associate Degree
1,973 hours
Exam Requirement
TMC Exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice)
Required
Initial License Fee
$145
Renewal Fee
$121
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 Michigan licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Michigan licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Respiratory Therapist in Michigan? ▼
In Michigan, the license path calls for 1973 education/training hours, a passing score on TMC Exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice), and a $145 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Respiratory Therapist in Michigan? ▼
To become a licensed respiratory therapist in Michigan, you must meet the state's requirements including 1973 hours of education. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Michigan licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Respiratory Therapist license to Michigan from another state? ▼
Reciprocity for respiratory therapists nationally works like this: Respiratory Therapy Licensure Compact: adoption underway. Beyond that baseline, interstate compacts exist for many professions and may smooth a transfer into Michigan. Verify the specifics with the Michigan licensing board.
Does Michigan require a background check for Respiratory Therapist licensing? ▼
Background screening is part of the respiratory therapist licensing process in Michigan. 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 Michigan? ▼
To stay licensed as a respiratory therapist in Michigan, plan on 24 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $121.

Related Guides

What to do with this respiratory therapist license

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

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

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