Respiratory Therapist / Tennessee
2026 data Tennessee board official source

Tennessee 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 Tennessee data shows for Respiratory Therapists

Becoming a licensed respiratory therapist in Tennessee means clearing a defined set of hurdles: 1,878 training hours, a passing score on TMC Exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice), plus a background history check once the applicant turns 18. Tennessee regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Associate Degree".

The initial price tag is $126, and renewal costs $107 every 2 years. 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
50/100
Respiratory Therapist · Tennessee

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
1,878 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$126
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden C-
$54/yr
$107 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 Tennessee

Education / Training Hours
Associate Degree
1,878 hours
Exam Requirement
TMC Exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice)
Required
Initial License Fee
$126
Renewal Fee
$107
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 Tennessee licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Tennessee licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Respiratory Therapist in Tennessee? ▼
Tennessee requires 1878 education/training hours, passing an exam (TMC Exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice)), and an initial fee of $126. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Respiratory Therapist in Tennessee? ▼
Certification as a respiratory therapist in Tennessee means clearing the state's checklist: 1878 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The Tennessee licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Respiratory Therapist license to Tennessee 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 Tennessee. Verify the specifics with the Tennessee licensing board.
Does Tennessee require a background check for Respiratory Therapist licensing? ▼
Tennessee 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 Tennessee? ▼
Licensed respiratory therapists in Tennessee must complete 24 hours of continuing education every 2 years. The renewal fee is $107.

Related Guides

What to do with this respiratory therapist license

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

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

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