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Healthcare license portability
Respiratory Therapist license reciprocity by state
Respiratory Therapist licenses are broadly portable across the US — 42 of the 50 states and DC offer direct recognition or licensure by endorsement, though endorsement often still depends on a national registry credential or a state law (jurisprudence) exam. Each row below links to the state's official licensing board and lists the specific reciprocal states where we have them.
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5 states recognize
assignment_turned_in
37 via endorsement
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2 require exam
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1 no license required
Reciprocity tier legend
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Recognized
Existing license or national cert accepted directly.
assignment_turned_in
Endorsement
Apply for a new license — paperwork, fees, no re-exam.
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Exam required
Must retake the state exam or complete state-specific training.
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Not recognized
No reciprocity pathway. Satisfy state requirements from scratch.
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No license required
State does not license this profession.
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Check with board
The state publishes no clear transfer rule. Contact the licensing board.
All 50 states + DC
Each row shows the destination state's reciprocity tier, the board's own language behind it, and a link to the official state licensing board.
| State | Reciprocity tier | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Alabama offers licensure by reciprocity for applicants who hold a valid respiratory therapist license from another state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory, provided the requirements for licensure are substantially similar to Alabama's and the applicant meets the Board's reciprocity requirements. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Alaska | remove_circle_outline No license | Alaska does not have state licensure, so reciprocity is not applicable. NBRC certification is nationally recognized. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Arizona | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Arizona offers licensure by endorsement for applicants who hold a current, unrestricted credential in another state, have valid NBRC credentials, are in good standing, and whose qualifications are deemed equivalent to Arizona's requirements. A state-specific jurisprudence exam and background check are required. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Arkansas | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Arkansas offers reciprocity to licensed respiratory care practitioners from other states or territories whose qualifications meet or exceed Arkansas's requirements, provided that state or territory offers a similar privilege to Arkansas licensees. Official state board arrow_outward |
| California | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | California does not have reciprocity with any other states. Out-of-state licensees must apply for a California RCP license, but do not need to retake initial licensing exams if they have an RRT credential (or a CRT credential earned before January 1, 2015). Official state board arrow_outward |
| Colorado | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Colorado offers reciprocity (endorsement) for applicants who hold a current, unrestricted license in good standing from another state, territory, or foreign country, provided their qualifications are substantially equivalent to Colorado's requirements and they are credentialed by a national respiratory therapy credentialing body (NBRC CRT or RRT). Official state board arrow_outward |
| Connecticut | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Connecticut may issue a license to individuals who hold a current, good-standing license in another U.S. jurisdiction and have practiced for at least four years. Additionally, individuals registered as a respiratory therapist by the Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists and who have passed the NBRC clinical simulation examination and are currently credentialed as a Registered Respiratory Therapist by the NBRC may be eligible. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Delaware | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Delaware does not have a list of reciprocal states. Applicants are required to provide letters of good standing from other states where they hold a license. Official state board arrow_outward |
| District of Columbia | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | The District of Columbia offers licensure by endorsement for applicants who are currently licensed in another state with substantially equivalent standards, have continually remained in good standing, and possess a valid and current NBRC CRT or RRT credential. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Florida | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Florida offers licensure by endorsement for individuals holding an equivalent credential from the NBRC or an equivalent license from another state with comparable or more stringent requirements. There is no compact license agreement for Respiratory Therapists currently. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Georgia | help_outline Check with board | Not specified, but Georgia offers a temporary permit for individuals licensed in another state or graduates of an approved program pending completion of all other requirements for certification for a period of 12 months. This temporary permit cannot be renewed. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Hawaii | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Hawaii may grant a license by endorsement to applicants who hold current licenses in another state or jurisdiction, provided the requirements at the time of initial licensure were equivalent to or higher than Hawaii's. Verification of licensure from other states is required. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Idaho | help_outline Check with board | The board publishes no clear transfer rule for out-of-state applicants. Contact the state licensing board directly. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Illinois | help_outline Check with board | Not specified, but a temporary permit may be available for those licensed in another state or recent graduates awaiting examination. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Indiana | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Indiana offers endorsement for applicants licensed in other states. Verification of licensure from the other state(s) is required. If coming from a state that does not require licensure, applicants must submit a statement to that effect and provide NBRC credentials. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Iowa | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Iowa offers reciprocity; applicants licensed in another state must provide official verification of licensure, including issue date, expiration date, and any disciplinary actions. The Iowa Board of Respiratory Care and Polysomnography evaluates qualifications for licensure. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Kansas | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Kansas accepts NBRC-credentialed applicants from other states through endorsement. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Kentucky | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Kentucky offers reciprocity to applicants who hold a current license in another state with equivalent or greater qualifications and possess an NBRC CRT or RRT credential. Applicants must provide proof of their current license and NBRC credential. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Louisiana | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Louisiana offers licensure by reciprocity to applicants who hold a current, unrestricted license in another state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory, provided their licensure requirements are equivalent to or exceed Louisiana's. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Maine | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Maine does not have a compact license agreement for Respiratory Therapists. Applicants licensed in other states must provide official verification of licensure from each state where they have held a license. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Maryland | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Maryland may issue a license by reciprocity if the applicant is licensed in another state with substantially equivalent requirements and the other state offers similar reciprocity to Maryland licensees. Verification of other state licenses is required. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Massachusetts | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Massachusetts offers licensure by reciprocity for applicants who are licensed in another state or territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico, provided the requirements for licensure in that jurisdiction are substantially the same as Massachusetts and the license is in good standing. Applicants must also hold a CRT or RRT credential from the NBRC. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Michigan | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Michigan does not have reciprocity agreements with other states, but licensure by endorsement is possible for those licensed in other states or Canadian provinces. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Minnesota | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Minnesota offers reciprocity for applicants with a current, unrestricted license in another state who have worked at least 8 weeks in the previous 5 years as a respiratory therapist. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Mississippi | help_outline Check with board | Not specified Official state board arrow_outward |
| Missouri | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Missouri offers reciprocity to applicants who hold a valid, current license from another state, a U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia, and have been licensed for at least one year in that jurisdiction, provided the qualifications are equivalent to Missouri's requirements. Verification of NBRC credentials (CRT or RRT) is required, and the applicant must be in good standing. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Montana | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Montana requires official license verification from all current and previous states of licensure. Previously licensed Respiratory Therapists applying to Montana who have been away from practice for more than three years must provide evidence of competency by retesting or passing a new NBRC credentialing exam. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Nebraska | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Nebraska offers reciprocity for applicants with an active license in another jurisdiction, provided they meet education and examination requirements. If not practicing at the time of application, 20 hours of continuing education completed within the last three years are required. Specific details on which states have direct reciprocity agreements are not specified, but the process involves verification of the out-of-state license. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Nevada | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Nevada accepts out-of-state applicants with NBRC credentials through an endorsement process. Verification of licensure from other states is required. Official state board arrow_outward |
| New Hampshire | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | New Hampshire offers reciprocity to applicants with an active license in good standing from another jurisdiction, provided that the jurisdiction's licensing requirements are substantially similar to New Hampshire's. A criminal background check is required for reciprocity applicants. Official state board arrow_outward |
| New Jersey | help_outline Check with board | New Jersey offers reciprocity, but specific states are not listed. Out-of-state applicants with a CRT credential may be subject to Board discretion for licensure. Official state board arrow_outward |
| New Mexico | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | New Mexico accepts out-of-state applicants with NBRC credentials through endorsement. Additional requirements include a state application, background check, and NBRC credential verification. Official state board arrow_outward |
| New York | help_outline Check with board | New York does not grant reciprocity to individuals with certifications from other countries or U.S. territories without National Registry certification. Reciprocity is possible for individuals holding current certification from one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the military, and/or from the National Registry of EMT's (NREMT) for specific provider levels (Emergency Medical Responder/Certified First Responder, Emergency Medical Technician, Advanced Emergency Medical Technician, Paramedic). Official state board arrow_outward |
| North Carolina | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | North Carolina may grant a license by reciprocity if the requirements for licensure in the other state are substantially the same as North Carolina's. Official state board arrow_outward |
| North Dakota | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | North Dakota offers licensure by endorsement for applicants licensed in other states with substantially similar requirements and who hold current NBRC credentials (CRT or RRT). Official state board arrow_outward |
| Ohio | check_circle Recognized | Ohio participates in the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, allowing licensed respiratory therapists from other compact states to practice in Ohio without obtaining a new license. The board may also waive requirements for applicants with current licensure in another state with substantially equivalent standards. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Oklahoma | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Oklahoma offers licensure by endorsement for those currently licensed in another state, territory, or country if their qualifications are deemed equivalent and their NBRC credentials (CRT or RRT) have not been suspended or revoked. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Oregon | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Oregon may issue a license by endorsement or reciprocity to applicants currently licensed in another state, territory, or country if their qualifications are equivalent to Oregon's requirements, or to applicants holding an active NBRC CRT or RRT credential. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Pennsylvania | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Pennsylvania offers licensure by endorsement (Act 41) for out-of-state professionals with substantially equivalent licensing requirements, an active license in good standing, no disciplinary action or criminal convictions, and who have been actively engaged in practice for at least two of the last five years. Respiratory therapists holding CRT or RRT credentials from the NBRC and licensed in another state may apply. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Rhode Island | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Rhode Island accepts out-of-state applicants with NBRC credentials through endorsement. Additional requirements include a state application, background check, and NBRC credential verification. Official state board arrow_outward |
| South Carolina | check_circle Recognized | South Carolina participates in the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, allowing licensed respiratory therapists from other compact member states to practice. Licensure by endorsement is also available for those licensed outside of compact states. Official state board arrow_outward |
| South Dakota | check_circle Recognized | South Dakota has adopted the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, allowing licensed respiratory therapists from other compact member states to practice in South Dakota by obtaining a compact privilege. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Tennessee | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Tennessee may issue a license by endorsement to applicants licensed in another state, territory, or country if their qualifications are equivalent to Tennessee's requirements. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Texas | check_circle Recognized | Texas recognizes the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, allowing licensed respiratory therapists from other compact member states to practice in Texas by obtaining a compact privilege. Additionally, licensure by endorsement is available for individuals licensed outside of a compact state. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Utah | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Utah offers licensure by endorsement for those currently licensed as a Respiratory Care Practitioner in another U.S. state, territory, or district. Specific documentation of scope of practice, experience, and exams may be required for certain jurisdictions. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Vermont | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Vermont accepts out-of-state applicants with NBRC credentials through endorsement. Requirements include a state application, background check, and NBRC credential verification. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Virginia | edit_note Exam required | Virginia does not have reciprocity. Applicants must meet Virginia's education and examination requirements. If previously licensed in another jurisdiction, a minimum of 160 hours of professional practice within the 24-month period immediately preceding application is required. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Washington | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Washington may issue credentials to applicants licensed in substantially equivalent states who have been credentialed for at least two years and have not been subject to disciplinary action. A national compact licensure for respiratory therapists goes into effect on July 27, 2025, allowing practice across participating states. Official state board arrow_outward |
| West Virginia | check_circle Recognized | West Virginia may issue a license by endorsement to applicants licensed in another state, territory, or country if their qualifications are equivalent or greater than West Virginia's. The state also participates in the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Wisconsin | edit_note Exam required | Wisconsin offers a temporary certificate for individuals licensed in another state who meet the educational and examination requirements and have passed the Wisconsin statute and rules examination. This temporary certificate is valid for 90 days and is not renewable. A health care provider credentialed in good standing in another state may also apply for a temporary credential while a permanent Wisconsin application is pending. Official state board arrow_outward |
| Wyoming | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Wyoming offers licensure by endorsement to applicants who are currently licensed in another state, territory, or country, provided their qualifications are equivalent to Wyoming's. Holding current NBRC CRT or RRT credentials can also qualify an applicant for licensure by endorsement. Official state board arrow_outward |
Respiratory Therapist reciprocity: common questions
Does a respiratory therapist license transfer to another state?
Respiratory Therapist licenses are broadly portable across the US — 42 of the 50 states and DC offer direct recognition or licensure by endorsement, though endorsement often still depends on a national registry credential or a state law (jurisprudence) exam. It depends on the destination state — see the state-by-state table above.
Which states accept an out-of-state respiratory therapist license directly?
5 states recognize an existing license or national credential without a new state exam: Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, West Virginia. Confirm with the destination state's board before you move — rules change.
Which states license out-of-state respiratory therapists by endorsement?
36 states and DC issue a new license by endorsement — an application, fees and verification of your current credential, typically without retaking the main exam: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wyoming. Confirm with the destination state's board before you move — rules change.
Which states make respiratory therapists take an exam to transfer?
2 states require a state exam or state-specific training before licensing an out-of-state respiratory therapist: Virginia, Wisconsin. Confirm with the destination state's board before you move — rules change.
Which states don't require a state license for respiratory therapists?
1 states do not license respiratory therapists at the state level, so there is nothing to transfer — employers may still expect a national certification: Alaska.
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How this was compiled · Last updated 2026-10-15
Reciprocity tiers and summaries are compiled from each state's licensing board and department of professional regulation — linked per row above — and reviewed against public board guidance. Licensing rules change frequently and often depend on your license class (for example journeyman vs. master) and the specific states involved. Always confirm current requirements directly with the destination state's board before making a career or relocation decision. This page is informational and is not legal or licensing advice.
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Each profession has its own state-by-state reciprocity matrix.
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