Respiratory Therapist in California

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

Median annual salary

$102,120

trending_up +26.9% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, California.

engineering

18,310

Jobs (CA)

monitoring Surging

+12.1%

10-yr job growth

payments

$300

Licensing fees

schedule

Varies (initial license issued for 13-24 months)

Time to complete

route How to become a respiratory therapist in California

To become a licensed Respiratory Therapist in California, individuals must obtain a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC), which involves passing the Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) Examination and the Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE). Applicants need to complete an associate degree from a CoARC-accredited program and successfully complete an Respiratory Care Board (RCB)-approved Law and Professional Ethics course. California does not offer reciprocity with other states, so out-of-state licensees must apply for a new California license.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $78,150

25th percentile $90,740

50th (median) $102,120

75th percentile $125,770

90th (experienced) $138,000

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

checklist California requirements

Licensing body	Respiratory Care Board of California
State license	Required
Education	Associate degree from a CoARC-accredited program
Exam	NBRC Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential, which includes the Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) Examination and the Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE). If the CRT credential was earned prior to January 1, 2015, it is sufficient for licensure.
Application fee	$300
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	30.0 hours per cycle
Notes	California requires a specific Law and Professional Ethics course for initial licensure and for renewal (every other cycle). Fingerprint background check required. Minimum age not specified. At least 15 CE hours must be directly related to Clinical Practice, at least 10 hours to RCP Leadership, and up to 5 hours may be indirectly related. A minimum of 15 hours must be earned through live courses or meetings. For the first renewal, only 15 total CE hours are required (7 clinical, 5 leadership, up to 3 indirect, 7 live).

Source: Respiratory Care Board of California

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_circleCalifornia 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

What are the steps to becoming a respiratory therapist in California? expand_more

In California, becoming a respiratory therapist requires you to complete the required education (Associate degree from a CoARC-accredited program), pass the NBRC Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential, which includes the Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) Examination and the Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE). If the CRT credential was earned prior to January 1, 2015, it is sufficient for licensure., and submit your application ($300 fee).

Does California require respiratory therapist licensure? expand_more

Yes, California requires a state license to practice as a respiratory therapist. The licensing body is Respiratory Care Board of California. You must pass the NBRC Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential, which includes the Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) Examination and the Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE). If the CRT credential was earned prior to January 1, 2015, it is sufficient for licensure..

What is the average respiratory therapist salary in California? expand_more

respiratory therapists in California earn a median of $102,120 annually. This exceeds the $80,450 national median by 27%. Entry-level (10th percentile) starts at $78,150, while experienced professionals (90th percentile) earn $138,000.

How long does it take to become a respiratory therapist in California? expand_more

The typical timeline in California is Varies (initial license issued for 13-24 months). This includes completing education, gaining any required experience, and passing the licensing exam.

What's required to renew a respiratory therapist license in California? expand_more

California requires 30.0 hours of continuing education every 2.0 years to maintain your respiratory therapist license.