To become a respiratory therapist, the minimum educational requirement that you'll need is an associate's degree in respiratory therapy. Many community colleges and vocational-technical institutes offer these degrees, which typically take two years to complete. This degree will prepare you to become an entry-level respiratory therapist.
To become a more advanced respiratory therapist, you'll need to earn a bachelor's or master's degree in respiratory therapy. These programs are more rigorous and comprehensive than those for an associate's degree, and take longer to complete. Bachelor's degrees, for instance, typically take four years to complete, and master's degree programs vary in length of time. These types of programs usually prepare students to advance to supervisory or managerial positions within respiratory therapy departments. These programs also prepare students to provide care for critically ill patients as well as for those needing a higher level of care than entry-level respiratory therapists could provide.
To qualify for post-secondary respiratory therapy programs, high school students should take courses in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics and health. Students should also develop basic mathematical problem-solving skills, as well as an understanding of chemical and physical principles.
A license is required to practice as a respiratory therapist in all states except Alaska and Hawaii. Two types of licenses exist: the Certified Respiratory Therapist credential and the Registered Respiratory Therapist credential. The requirements for licensing are set out by the National Board for Respiratory Care. To achieve the "certified" credential, you must graduate from an entry-level or advanced program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs or the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care, and you must then pass an exam. The "registered" license is slightly more advanced, requiring you to graduate from an advanced program and then pass two separate examinations. Most respiratory therapy supervisory positions and intensive care specialties require you to have the registered therapist credential. Most employers also require respiratory therapists to maintain a cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification.