Respiratory Therapist / Ohio
2026 data Ohio board official source

Ohio 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 Ohio data shows for Respiratory Therapists

To practice as a respiratory therapist in Ohio, the state licensing board requires 2,014 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 Ohio's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Associate Degree".

Upfront cost is $153, with renewal running $127 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

D
Licensing Ease Score
46/100
Respiratory Therapist · Ohio

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
2,014 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$153
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden D
$64/yr
$127 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 Ohio

Education / Training Hours
Associate Degree
2,014 hours
Exam Requirement
TMC Exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice)
Required
Initial License Fee
$153
Renewal Fee
$127
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 Ohio licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Ohio licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Respiratory Therapist in Ohio? ▼
Ohio's requirements cover 2014 hours of education or training, the TMC Exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice) exam, and an initial fee of $153. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Respiratory Therapist in Ohio? ▼
Ohio licenses respiratory therapists who complete its requirements (2014 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Ohio licensing board.
Can I transfer my Respiratory Therapist license to Ohio 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 Ohio. Verify the specifics with the Ohio licensing board.
Does Ohio require a background check for Respiratory Therapist licensing? ▼
Yes, Ohio 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 Ohio? ▼
Licensed respiratory therapists in Ohio must complete 24 hours of continuing education every 2 years. The renewal fee is $127.

Related Guides

What to do with this respiratory therapist license

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

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

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