Respiratory Therapist in Pennsylvania
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for PA. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.
BLS OEWS 2024, Pennsylvania.
Jobs (PA)
10-yr job growth
Licensing fees
Time to complete
route How to become a respiratory therapist in Pennsylvania
To become a licensed Respiratory Therapist in Pennsylvania, individuals must graduate from a CoARC-accredited respiratory care program, typically an Associate degree. Applicants must pass the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) exam and complete a state application. A criminal history records check is required, and initial licensure requires 3 hours of child abuse recognition and reporting continuing education. Pennsylvania also offers licensure by endorsement for out-of-state professionals who meet specific criteria, including holding CRT or RRT credentials and having an active, good-standing license from another state with substantially equivalent requirements.
bar_chart Salary percentiles
Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Pennsylvania. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.
checklist Pennsylvania requirements
| Licensing body | State Board of Medicine / State Board of Osteopathic Medicine |
| State license | Required |
| Education | Associate degree from a CoARC-accredited program |
| Exam | NBRC CRT exam |
| Application fee | $30 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Continuing education | 30.0 hours per cycle |
| Reciprocity | Pennsylvania offers endorsement (Act 41) for out-of-state licensees meeting specific practice and good standing criteria.Reciprocal states: 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. |
| Notes | CE must include 2 hours of child abuse recognition and reporting, 1 hour in medical ethics, and 1 hour in patient safety. A criminal history records check is required. Initial applicants must complete 3 hours of Board-approved continuing education in child abuse recognition and reporting. A temporary permit is available for up to one year for new graduates who have applied for licensure and meet certain requirements, or are within 30 days of graduation. The temporary permit expires if the holder fails the NBRC exam. Minimum age not specified. |
Source: State Board of Medicine / State Board of Osteopathic Medicine
Already licensed elsewhere and moving to Pennsylvania? See whether Pennsylvania recognizes an out-of-state credential — with the tier and pathway for all 50 states — in our Respiratory Therapist license reciprocity guide.
work_outline Job outlook
AI & tech impact
This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.
balance Is it worth it?
- check_circlePennsylvania license required — clearer credential signal to employers
- check_circleStrong 10-year job growth (+12.1%)
- check_circleLow AI disruption risk
Compare Respiratory Therapist head-to-head
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