Respiratory Therapist / Pennsylvania
2026 data Pennsylvania board official source

Pennsylvania Respiratory Therapist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Requirements, fees, and renewal timing for this license, sourced from state board records.

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Treats patients with breathing disorders. Requires TMC exam.

What the Pennsylvania data shows for Respiratory Therapists

Pennsylvania's path to respiratory therapist licensure runs through 2,068 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. Pennsylvania folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Associate Degree".

Upfront cost is $164, with renewal running $135 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.

Reciprocity for this profession works like this: Respiratory Therapy Licensure Compact: adoption underway.

Licensing Ease Score

D
Licensing Ease Score
45/100
Respiratory Therapist · Pennsylvania

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
2,068 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$164
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden D
$68/yr
$135 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 Pennsylvania

Education / Training Hours
Associate Degree
2,068 hours
Exam Requirement
TMC Exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice)
Required
Initial License Fee
$164
Renewal Fee
$135
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 Pennsylvania licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Pennsylvania licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Respiratory Therapist in Pennsylvania? ▼
In Pennsylvania, the license path calls for 2068 education/training hours, a passing score on TMC Exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice), and a $164 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Respiratory Therapist in Pennsylvania? ▼
Certification as a respiratory therapist in Pennsylvania means clearing the state's checklist: 2068 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The Pennsylvania licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Respiratory Therapist license to Pennsylvania from another state? ▼
Respiratory Therapist licenses generally reciprocate as follows: Respiratory Therapy Licensure Compact: adoption underway. Interstate licensing compacts cover many professions and can further ease a move between states. The Pennsylvania licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does Pennsylvania require a background check for Respiratory Therapist licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for respiratory therapist licensing in Pennsylvania. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for Respiratory Therapist in Pennsylvania? ▼
Pennsylvania ties continued respiratory therapist licensure to 24 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $135 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this respiratory therapist license

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

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

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