Respiratory Therapist / North Dakota
2026 data North Dakota board official source

North Dakota Respiratory Therapist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

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

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Treats patients with breathing disorders. Requires TMC exam.

What the North Dakota data shows for Respiratory Therapists

North Dakota's path to respiratory therapist licensure runs through 1,608 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. North Dakota folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Associate Degree".

Upfront cost is $72, with renewal running $66 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

C+
Licensing Ease Score
62/100
Respiratory Therapist · North Dakota

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
1,608 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee B+
$72
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden B
$33/yr
$66 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 North Dakota

Education / Training Hours
Associate Degree
1,608 hours
Exam Requirement
TMC Exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice)
Required
Initial License Fee
$72
Renewal Fee
$66
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 North Dakota licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with North Dakota licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Respiratory Therapist in North Dakota? ▼
In North Dakota, the license path calls for 1608 education/training hours, a passing score on TMC Exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice), and a $72 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Respiratory Therapist in North Dakota? ▼
North Dakota licenses respiratory therapists who complete its requirements (1608 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the North Dakota licensing board.
Can I transfer my Respiratory Therapist license to North Dakota 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 North Dakota. Verify the specifics with the North Dakota licensing board.
Does North Dakota require a background check for Respiratory Therapist licensing? ▼
Background screening is part of the respiratory therapist licensing process in North Dakota. 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 North Dakota? ▼
Licensed respiratory therapists in North Dakota must complete 24 hours of continuing education every 2 years. The renewal fee is $66.

Related Guides

What to do with this respiratory therapist license

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

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

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