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

New York Respiratory Therapist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

State-board requirements, fees, and renewal cycle drawn from official regulator records.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Treats patients with breathing disorders. Requires TMC exam.

What the New York data shows for Respiratory Therapists

To practice as a respiratory therapist in New York, the state licensing board requires 2,089 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 York's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Associate Degree".

Upfront cost is $168, with renewal running $138 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
45/100
Respiratory Therapist · New York

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
2,089 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$168
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden D
$69/yr
$138 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 York

Education / Training Hours
Associate Degree
2,089 hours
Exam Requirement
TMC Exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice)
Required
Initial License Fee
$168
Renewal Fee
$138
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 York licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with New York licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Respiratory Therapist in New York? ▼
In New York, the license path calls for 2089 education/training hours, a passing score on TMC Exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice), and a $168 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Respiratory Therapist in New York? ▼
Certification as a respiratory therapist in New York means clearing the state's checklist: 2089 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The New York licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Respiratory Therapist license to New York from another state? ▼
Here's how reciprocity typically plays out for respiratory therapists: Respiratory Therapy Licensure Compact: adoption underway. Many occupations are additionally covered by interstate licensing compacts that ease cross-state moves. Check with the New York licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does New York require a background check for Respiratory Therapist licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for respiratory therapist licensing in New York. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for Respiratory Therapist in New York? ▼
Licensed respiratory therapists in New York must complete 24 hours of continuing education every 2 years. The renewal fee is $138.

Related Guides

What to do with this respiratory therapist license

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

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

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