7 Steps to Become a Respiratory Therapist

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To become a Respiratory Therapist (RT), you need the right education, training, experience, and credentials. In every state except Alaska, you also need to be licensed. But if you want a rewarding career where what you do actually saves lives, a career as an RT might be an excellent path for you. As an RT, you are a critical member of the healthcare team, sometimes working in life-or-death situations to help patients breathe. Ready to be a healthcare hero? Take these 7 steps to become a Respiratory Therapist.

Step 1: Graduate from High School Before Attending Respiratory Therapy School

Besides the fact that accredited RT programs require you to have a high school diploma or GED for acceptance, your high school education is also an important foundation of knowledge. Your science courses teach you about the human body and how the lungs, heart, and circulatory systems work together. A course like biology helps you understand how diseases such as asthma, COPD, or pneumonia affect the body, and chemistry explains how medications and oxygen interact within the bloodstream. Math courses can help you understand how to measure blood gases, calibrate equipment, and calculate and adjust oxygen flow rates and medication dosages. And your English courses help you become a better communicator, allowing you to interpret medical terminology into a language your patients will better understand.

Step 2: Earn an Associate Degree at Respiratory Therapy School

Find, enroll, attend, and successfully complete an accredited Respiratory Therapy training program. Your program should introduce you to the basics of healthcare, including medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, and the history of respiratory therapy. You learn the proper techniques to hook up ventilators and perform diagnostic tests. You also study respiratory diseases and the drugs used to treat them. You learn to care for patients across the lifespan—from infants to the elderly—and how to care for patients at home.

The minimum degree required to become an RT is an Associate of Science or Associate of Applied Science in Respiratory Therapy from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).

respiratory therapist in action

Step 3: Participate in a Respiratory Therapy Clinical Practicum

As part of your respiratory therapy training program, you participate in a clinical practicum at a local medical facility. Under the supervision of licensed respiratory therapists and physicians, you develop the clinical skills to care for patients and evaluate their health conditions. You learn to set up a ventilator, perform pulmonary function tests, and to accurately assess patients. By engaging with real patients, you also develop soft skills such as clear communication, compassion, and empathy, which are essential for a career in respiratory therapy.

Step 4: Pass the National Board for Respiratory Care Exams

After you graduate from your program, you need to pass the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) exams:

  • The TMC (Therapist Multiple Choice) exam qualifies you as a Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT).
  • A high score on the TMC plus passing the Clinical Simulation Exam (CSE) earns you the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential.

The exams test your knowledge on topics such as lines and drains, patient assessment and monitoring, lab and study results, diagnostic tests, and ventilation. You can apply for the exam online once you complete your training program, and study with content outlines and practice exams.

Step 5: Obtain Respiratory Therapist State Licensure

Licensure varies by state, so be sure to check the requirements for yours. Most require that you earn both the TMC and the RRT credential before they grant a license. You may also need to pass a criminal background check and prove that you hold current CPR/BLS certifications. With the proper training and credentials, you can apply to your state’s licensing board.

Step 6: Look for Respiratory Therapist Jobs

Long before you earn your license, you can set the stage for employment as an RT. Consider how you might begin the search for your first job as a Respiratory Therapist:

  • Start During Clinicals: Impress preceptors and staff during your practicum and you may get a job offer directly from your clinical site.
  • Use Your School’s Career Services: Tap into job boards, resume workshops, and employer partnerships through your program.
  • Network With Classmates and Instructors: Instructors, classmates, and alumni often have industry connections and may know about open positions.
  • Search Online Job Boards: Check the AARC Career Center, Indeed, LinkedIn, and hospital websites.
  • Customize Your Resume and Cover Letter: Highlight your certifications (RRT, BLS, ACLS), clinical experience, and patient care skills.
  • Be Open to All Shifts and Locations: Flexibility in your first role increases your chances so be sure to say yes to night shifts, weekends, or work in rural locations.
  • Get Licensed Quickly: The longer it takes to get your license, the longer it takes to get that first job. Apply for your license immediately after passing your exams.

Among the places you might look for employment are hospitals, sleep centers, pulmonary care clinics, nursing homes, and long-term care facilities. You could also choose to work for a home healthcare agency and provide medical care to patients who cannot travel.

Step 7: Maintain Your RT Certification and Knowledge

Because medical technologies, treatment protocols, and regulatory standards continually evolve, you need to maintain certification and complete continuing education to stay current. Respiratory care is dynamic, with constant advancements in ventilator management, pulmonary diagnostics, and patient monitoring systems. Ongoing education ensures that you deliver safe, evidence-based care and remain compliant with licensure requirements in your state.

Are you ready to step into an in-demand healthcare career? RTs provide vital services and are critical members of the healthcare team. To get started, contact Charter College today. We offer an online Associate of Applied Science degree in Respiratory Therapy that includes an onsite clinical component. It can prepare you with the knowledge and skills you need for a career in respiratory therapy. Call 888-200-9942 today to get on the path to a rewarding healthcare career.