Respiratory Therapist / Nebraska
2026 data Nebraska board official source

Nebraska 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 Nebraska data shows for Respiratory Therapists

To practice as a respiratory therapist in Nebraska, the state licensing board requires 1,662 documented education or training hours, a passing score on TMC Exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice). A criminal history background check is also part of the application. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. The regulation sits under Nebraska's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Associate Degree".

Upfront cost is $82, with renewal running $74 on a 2-year cycle. Renewal isn't the end of the cost: 24 hours of continuing education are due every 2-year cycle, a recurring time commitment worth planning for.

On reciprocity, respiratory therapists should know: Respiratory Therapy Licensure Compact: adoption underway.

Licensing Ease Score

C+
Licensing Ease Score
60/100
Respiratory Therapist · Nebraska

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
1,662 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee B-
$82
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden B-
$37/yr
$74 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 Nebraska

Education / Training Hours
Associate Degree
1,662 hours
Exam Requirement
TMC Exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice)
Required
Initial License Fee
$82
Renewal Fee
$74
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 Nebraska licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Nebraska licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Respiratory Therapist in Nebraska? ▼
Nebraska requires 1662 education/training hours, passing an exam (TMC Exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice)), and an initial fee of $82. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Respiratory Therapist in Nebraska? ▼
Certification as a respiratory therapist in Nebraska means clearing the state's checklist: 1662 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The Nebraska licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Respiratory Therapist license to Nebraska 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 Nebraska licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does Nebraska require a background check for Respiratory Therapist licensing? ▼
Nebraska 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 Nebraska? ▼
Licensed respiratory therapists in Nebraska must complete 24 hours of continuing education every 2 years. The renewal fee is $74.

Related Guides

What to do with this respiratory therapist license

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

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

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