Respiratory Therapist in Wisconsin
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for WI. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.
BLS OEWS 2024, Wisconsin.
Jobs (WI)
10-yr job growth
Licensing fees
Time to complete
route How to become a respiratory therapist in Wisconsin
To become a licensed Respiratory Therapist in Wisconsin, you must graduate from a CoARC-accredited respiratory care program and pass both the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) Examination (CRT or RRT) and an open-book Wisconsin Statutes and Administrative Code examination. The licensing body is the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services. A temporary certificate is available for those licensed in other states while their permanent application is processed.
bar_chart Salary percentiles
Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Wisconsin. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.
checklist Wisconsin requirements
| Licensing body | Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services |
| State license | Required |
| Education | Associate degree from a CoARC-accredited program |
| Exam | NBRC CRT or RRT exam ($200) |
| Application fee | $75 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Reciprocity | Wisconsin offers a temporary certificate requiring a state exam; permanent licensure requires full application.Reciprocal states: 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. |
| Notes | Applicants must pass an open-book state jurisprudence exam. An oral examination may be required under certain circumstances, such as having a medical condition that impairs practice, substance abuse, prior disciplinary action, criminal convictions related to practice, limited recent practice hours, or adverse formal action during education/training. There is no minimum age specified. |
Source: Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services
Already licensed elsewhere and moving to Wisconsin? See whether Wisconsin 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_circleWisconsin 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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