Respiratory Therapist / New Jersey
2026 data New Jersey board official source

New Jersey 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 New Jersey data shows for Respiratory Therapists

To practice as a respiratory therapist in New Jersey, the state licensing board requires 2,149 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 New Jersey's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Associate Degree".

The initial price tag is $180, and renewal costs $147 every 2 years. Maintaining the license requires 24 hours of continuing education per 2-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

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

Licensing Ease Score

D
Licensing Ease Score
44/100
Respiratory Therapist · New Jersey

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
2,149 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$180
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$74/yr
$147 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 New Jersey

Education / Training Hours
Associate Degree
2,149 hours
Exam Requirement
TMC Exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice)
Required
Initial License Fee
$180
Renewal Fee
$147
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 New Jersey licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with New Jersey licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Respiratory Therapist in New Jersey? ▼
In New Jersey, the license path calls for 2149 education/training hours, a passing score on TMC Exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice), and a $180 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Respiratory Therapist in New Jersey? ▼
Certification as a respiratory therapist in New Jersey means clearing the state's checklist: 2149 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The New Jersey licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Respiratory Therapist license to New Jersey 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 New Jersey licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does New Jersey require a background check for Respiratory Therapist licensing? ▼
Yes, New Jersey requires a criminal background check as part of the respiratory therapist licensing process. Disqualifying offenses and review criteria are determined by the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Respiratory Therapist in New Jersey? ▼
New Jersey ties continued respiratory therapist licensure to 24 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $147 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this respiratory therapist license

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

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

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