Respiratory Therapist / Montana
2026 data Montana board official source

Montana 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.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Treats patients with breathing disorders. Requires TMC exam.

What the Montana data shows for Respiratory Therapists

Becoming a licensed respiratory therapist in Montana means clearing a defined set of hurdles: 2,257 training hours, a passing score on TMC Exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice), plus a background history check once the applicant turns 18. Montana regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Associate Degree".

Budget $201 to get started, plus $164 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
42/100
Respiratory Therapist · Montana

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
2,257 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$201
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$82/yr
$164 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 Montana

Education / Training Hours
Associate Degree
2,257 hours
Exam Requirement
TMC Exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice)
Required
Initial License Fee
$201
Renewal Fee
$164
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 Montana licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Montana licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Respiratory Therapist in Montana? ▼
In Montana, the license path calls for 2257 education/training hours, a passing score on TMC Exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice), and a $201 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Respiratory Therapist in Montana? ▼
Montana licenses respiratory therapists who complete its requirements (2257 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Montana licensing board.
Can I transfer my Respiratory Therapist license to Montana 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 Montana licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does Montana require a background check for Respiratory Therapist licensing? ▼
Montana does require a background check before issuing a respiratory therapist license. What counts as disqualifying, and how it's reviewed, is up to the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Respiratory Therapist in Montana? ▼
Montana ties continued respiratory therapist licensure to 24 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $164 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this respiratory therapist license

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

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

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