Respiratory therapists, you're in demand! And because knowledge is power, we've got 25 essential RT facts to help you boost your respiratory therapist career potential and get the most from that demand.
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25 Essential RT Facts to Boost Your Respiratory Therapist Career
Even though you may already know some of the basics here, you’ll also find some new RT facts to help you take your career to new places — perhaps literally!
1. As everyone learned during the pandemic, RTs are essential frontline workers, with skills that are necessary not just for everyday care but also during times of crisis and in case of emergency.
2. Besides breathing and cardiopulmonary conditions, RTs also treat a variety of related conditions like asthma, sleep apnea, pneumonia, COPD, and RSV.
3. Another big part of the job is educating patients and families on managing their conditions and long-term health.
4. Respiratory therapists also perform advanced procedures like intubation, drawing blood samples, and airway suctioning, all of which require special equipment and training.
5. To work as an RT, you must earn a degree — either an associate’s, bachelor’s, or master’s — from a program recognized by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC), and then become credentialed and licensed. The whole process usually takes two to four years (or more to earn a master's).
6. Earning a degree involves studying biology, anatomy, physiology, and respiratory therapy procedures like mechanical ventilation and pulmonary function testing.
7. From entry level to advanced practice, CoARC recognizes at least 500 programs in all 50 states, plus territories like D.C. and Puerto Rico.
8. Although some sources state that all RTs will need a bachelor’s degree in the near future, this is not yet an official requirement.
9. However, RTs with bachelor’s degree generally earn more. But you can also start with an associate's degree and earn your bachelor’s later.
10. After graduating, RTs must become credentialed as either a Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) or a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) by passing an exam from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).
11. You can earn the CRT by passing the Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) exam. And if you score high enough, you can go on to earn the RRT by passing the Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE), too.
12. After becoming credentialed, you must maintain your status with the Credential Maintenance Program (CMP) by either taking quarterly assessments, earning continuing education (CE) credits, getting another credential, or passing the same exam again.
13. The process for getting licensed is different in every state, and Alaska is the only place that doesn’t require one; you can find the rules for your state here.
14. Like nurses and many other clinicians, RTs usually wear scrubs. In some facilities, you may have to wear a specific color. Many RTs also wear lab coats over their scrubs.
15. Originally called “inhalation therapists” in the early 1900s, the job title “respiratory therapists” became official in 1973.
16. In addition to a degree, credential, and license, RTs should develop soft skills like communication, teamwork, patience, and critical thinking.
17. The American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) is the main professional group for RTs, offering educational resources to keep you practicing at a high standard.
18. Although most RTs still work in hospitals — usually ER, ICU, and NICU departments — more and more jobs are available in other settings like acute-care centers, clinics, and home-care facilities.
19. There are about 130,800 RTs currently employed in the U.S.A., although that number is growing fast, and is expected to hit 156,400 by 2034 — in fact, it’s considered one of America’s fastest-growing jobs, meaning there are plenty of career opportunities out there.
20. Despite the growing need for RTs, more than 80% of high school students have never even heard of respiratory therapy according to a leading RT education platform.
21. For RTs looking for more career flexibility, per diem jobs offer a way to set your own schedule and work when you want, giving you time to go to school, care for a family member, or whatever your personal needs may be.
22. Another way to customize your RT career is by working as a traveler, where you literally get paid to visit different parts of the country, among other benefits.
23. Travel and per diem RTs can earn much more per hour (or week) than salaried jobs after factoring in stipends. However, they also may not receive a full benefits package, and may work fewer overall hours. Consult a recruitment professional to discover how much you can earn.
24. Traveling is about to get easier for RTs, too — as of early 2026, 11 states have joined the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact (RCIC), which lets you practice in multiple states with a single license.
25. Travel and per diem RTs can take career flexibility even further with self-scheduling tools like the Go HWS Mobile App from HealthTrust!
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