Respiratory Therapist in Virginia

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

Median annual salary

$79,600

trending_down -1.1% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Virginia.

engineering

2,960

Jobs (VA)

monitoring Surging

+12.1%

10-yr job growth

payments

$320

Licensing fees

schedule

6-8 weeks for application processing

Time to complete

route How to become a respiratory therapist in Virginia

To become a licensed Respiratory Therapist in Virginia, individuals must obtain a state license from the Virginia Board of Medicine. Key steps include completing an associate degree from a CoARC-accredited program, passing the NBRC CRT exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice Examination) or RRT exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice Examination and Clinical Simulation Examination), and submitting an application with a fee of $130. A criminal history background check is required, and applicants must be at least 18 years old. Virginia does not offer reciprocity; applicants licensed in other states must still meet Virginia's education and examination requirements.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $60,830

25th percentile $67,890

50th (median) $79,600

75th percentile $93,000

90th (experienced) $102,680

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

checklist Virginia requirements

Licensing body	Virginia Board of Medicine
State license	Required
Education	Associate degree from a CoARC-accredited program
Exam	NBRC CRT exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice Examination) or RRT exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice Examination and Clinical Simulation Examination) ($190)
Application fee	$130
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	20.0 hours per cycle
Notes	A criminal history background check is required. Minimum age of 18 is typically required for program enrollment. As of January 1, 2015, new hires must be current RRT. Effective for 2024/2025 renewal cycles, 1 hour of training in Human Trafficking is required.

Source: Virginia Board of Medicine

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_circleVirginia 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's required to work as a respiratory therapist in Virginia? expand_more

The path to respiratory therapist licensure in Virginia: complete the required education (Associate degree from a CoARC-accredited program), pass the NBRC CRT exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice Examination) or RRT exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice Examination and Clinical Simulation Examination), and submit your application ($130 fee).

Is a respiratory therapist license required in Virginia? expand_more

Virginia mandates state licensure for respiratory therapists. Virginia Board of Medicine oversees the process, which includes passing the NBRC CRT exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice Examination) or RRT exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice Examination and Clinical Simulation Examination).

How much does a respiratory therapist make in Virginia? expand_more

Virginia respiratory therapists bring home a median salary of $79,600. This is close to the national median of $80,450. New respiratory therapists start around $60,830; seasoned professionals can reach $102,680.

How much does it cost to become a respiratory therapist in Virginia? expand_more

The full cost to enter the field runs about varies, factoring in exam fee ($190) and application fee ($130) and required training.

What's the timeline to become a respiratory therapist in Virginia? expand_more

In Virginia, becoming a respiratory therapist generally takes 6-8 weeks for application processing, accounting for education requirements, hands-on training, and the exam process.

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

Yes — respiratory therapists in Virginia must complete 20.0 CE hours every 2.0 years to stay licensed.