Respiratory Therapist in Arizona

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for AZ. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary

$79,290

trending_down -1.4% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Arizona.

engineering

3,070

Jobs (AZ)

monitoring Surging

+12.1%

10-yr job growth

payments

$460

Licensing fees

schedule

6-8 weeks for application processing

Time to complete

route How to become a respiratory therapist in Arizona

To become a licensed Respiratory Therapist in Arizona, you must obtain an Associate degree or higher from a CoARC-accredited program and pass the NBRC CRT or RRT examination. The licensing body is the Arizona Board of Respiratory Care Examiners. The application process generally takes 6-8 weeks and requires a fingerprint background check. For reciprocity, applicants with out-of-state licenses must have valid NBRC credentials, be in good standing, and pass a state-specific jurisprudence exam.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $62,480

25th percentile $69,420

50th (median) $79,290

75th percentile $83,370

90th (experienced) $88,650

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Arizona. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist Arizona requirements

Licensing body	Arizona Board of Respiratory Care Examiners
State license	Required
Education	Associate degree from a CoARC-accredited program
Exam	NBRC CRT or RRT exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) and Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE) for RRT) ($190)
Application fee	$270
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	20.0 hours per cycle
Notes	A fingerprint background check is required for all applicants. 2 hours of continuing education must be in ethics, and 5 hours must be live courses. As of January 1, 2017, applicants for licensure who were credentialed as a CRT in another state must hold an RRT credential or its equivalent. In-state CRTs licensed before this date can maintain their license if it doesn't lapse for more than 3 months.

Source: Arizona Board of Respiratory Care Examiners

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+12.1%

Much faster than average

Annual openings

8,800

Nationwide per year

Total employment

139,600

Nationwide

neurology

AI & tech impact

verified Low exposure -0.19/1.00

This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

check_circleArizona license required — clearer credential signal to employers
check_circleStrong 10-year job growth (+12.1%)
check_circleLow AI disruption risk

psychology

Wondering if a respiratory therapist career is the right fit?

See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.

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Frequently asked questions

How do you get certified as a respiratory therapist in Arizona? expand_more

The path to respiratory therapist licensure in Arizona: complete the required education (Associate degree from a CoARC-accredited program), pass the NBRC CRT or RRT exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) and Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE) for RRT), and submit your application ($270 fee).

Do I need a license to work as a respiratory therapist in Arizona? expand_more

Yes, Arizona requires a state license to practice as a respiratory therapist. The licensing body is Arizona Board of Respiratory Care Examiners. You must pass the NBRC CRT or RRT exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) and Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE) for RRT).

What do respiratory therapists earn in Arizona? expand_more

In Arizona, the median pay for respiratory therapists comes to $79,290/year. That's roughly in line with the $80,450 national median. Entry-level (10th percentile) starts at $62,480, while experienced professionals (90th percentile) earn $88,650.

How expensive is respiratory therapist licensing in Arizona? expand_more

Between exam fee ($190) and application fee ($270), expect to invest around varies in total to get started.

How quickly can I become a respiratory therapist in Arizona? expand_more

Most candidates in Arizona complete the process in 6-8 weeks for application processing, from enrollment in a training program through licensure.

How many CE hours do respiratory therapists need in Arizona? expand_more

To keep your license active, Arizona mandates 20.0 CE hours every 2.0 years.