How to Get Your Pennsylvania Respiratory Therapist License | RT Requirements
- Respiratory care graduates applying for their first Pennsylvania license
- Travel respiratory therapists evaluating Pennsylvania licensure requirements before accepting an assignment
- Out-of-state respiratory therapists relocating to Pennsylvania or applying by endorsement
Pennsylvania Respiratory Therapist Licensing — At a Glance
| State License Required? | Yes — Pennsylvania requires a license to practice respiratory therapy |
| Credential Name | Respiratory Therapist |
| Governing Body | Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine (primary pathway); State Board of Osteopathic Medicine (alternative pathway) |
| NBRC Credential Required | Entry-level credentialing examination — CRT is sufficient; RRT is not required for initial licensure |
| Separate State Exam? | No — NBRC entry-level examination only |
| Education Requirement | Graduation from a respiratory care program approved by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) |
| Application Fee | $30.00 (State Board of Medicine pathway) |
| Application Method | Online through the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS) at pals.pa.gov |
| Processing Time | Not published — verify with the Board before submitting |
| Background / Criminal History | Criminal history records check required; Act 41 endorsement applicants must have no criminal convictions |
| Out-of-State Licensees | Act 41 endorsement available for qualifying out-of-state licensees; Section 27 endorsement for equivalent qualifications |
| Temporary Permits | Available under 49 Pa. Code § 18.306 for NBRC-credentialed applicants awaiting full licensure |
| Jurisprudence Exam? | Not identified in sources reviewed — verify with Board |
| Interstate Compact | Not enacted — no RCIC legislation has been introduced in Pennsylvania; verify current status with Board |
| Governing Statute | 49 Pa. Code Chapter 18, Subchapter F (§§ 18.301–18.310); Medical Practice Act (63 P.S. §§ 422.13a, 422.36a) |
Pennsylvania requires a license to practice respiratory therapy in the state. The credential is called Respiratory Therapist and is issued primarily by the Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine under 49 Pa. Code Chapter 18, Subchapter F. Applications and renewals are handled through PALS, Pennsylvania’s unified professional licensing system.
One notable difference from several other states: Pennsylvania accepts the entry-level NBRC credential for initial licensure rather than requiring the registry-level credential. Applicants need to graduate from a CoARC-accredited program and pass the NBRC entry-level examination — the credential level required is shown in the table above. Pennsylvania also has a unique dual-board structure, described below, that most applicants will not encounter but that out-of-state practitioners sometimes navigate.
What Makes Pennsylvania Different
Two things stand out. First, Pennsylvania is a CRT-minimum state — it requires the NBRC entry-level examination rather than the registry-level credential that states like Ohio mandate. Practitioners who hold only the CRT may apply for a Pennsylvania license, while the same credential would not satisfy Ohio’s initial licensure requirement. Second, Pennsylvania has an unusual dual-board structure: respiratory therapists can be licensed under either the State Board of Medicine or the State Board of Osteopathic Medicine. Both pathways follow the same 49 Pa. Code Subchapter F regulations. The Pennsylvania Society for Respiratory Care recommends the State Board of Medicine pathway, which accounts for the large majority of Pennsylvania RT licenses. Fees and application details on this page reflect the State Board of Medicine. Applicants choosing the Osteopathic Board pathway should confirm that board’s current fees directly, as they differ.
Interstate Compact and License Portability
Pennsylvania has not enacted the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact (RCIC) and, as of this page’s verification date, legislation to join the compact has not been introduced in the Pennsylvania General Assembly. No compact privileges are available for Pennsylvania-based practice. Travel respiratory therapists should plan around the standard licensure or Act 41 endorsement pathway. Verify current compact status with the State Board of Medicine and the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact commission before relying on any compact portability.
Pennsylvania Respiratory Therapist Licensure Requirements
To qualify for an initial Pennsylvania Respiratory Therapist license under the State Board of Medicine, an applicant must satisfy three core requirements:
- Education: Graduate from a respiratory care program approved by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC). The Board’s regulation specifies program approval by CoARC — it does not separately state a degree-level requirement beyond CoARC accreditation standards. Source: 49 Pa. Code § 18.307.
- Examination: Pass the National Board for Respiratory Care entry-level credentialing examination. No separate Pennsylvania state exam is required. The CRT credential satisfies this requirement; the RRT is not required.
- Child abuse recognition training: Complete 3 hours of Board-approved continuing education in child abuse recognition and reporting before the license is issued. This is a Pennsylvania-specific initial licensure requirement. Source: State Board of Medicine Snapshot.
Temporary Permits
Pennsylvania issues temporary permits under 49 Pa. Code § 18.306 to applicants who hold an NBRC credential and are awaiting full licensure. A temporary permit allows supervised practice during the licensing process. Contact the Board for current temporary permit eligibility and fee information.
How to Apply for a Pennsylvania Respiratory Therapist License
All applications are submitted online through the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS). The process for new applicants follows these general steps:
- Create an account at pals.pa.gov and begin the Respiratory Therapist application under the State Board of Medicine
- Complete the application in full, including all required disclosures
- Submit documentation of your CoARC program graduation and NBRC entry-level exam results
- Complete the required 3-hour child abuse recognition and reporting continuing education before submission
- Pay the application fee shown in the table above
- Submit and monitor your application status through PALS
- ☐ Graduate from a CoARC-accredited respiratory care program
- ☐ Pass the NBRC entry-level credentialing examination (CRT)
- ☐ Complete 3 hours of Board-approved child abuse recognition and reporting CE
- ☐ Create a PALS account at pals.pa.gov
- ☐ Complete and submit the Respiratory Therapist application under the State Board of Medicine
- ☐ Pay the application fee
- ☐ Monitor application status through PALS
Pennsylvania Licensure by Endorsement for Out-of-State Applicants
Pennsylvania offers two endorsement pathways for respiratory therapists already licensed in another state. Under Act 41, applicants who hold a current, active out-of-state license in good standing — with requirements substantially equivalent to or exceeding Pennsylvania’s — and who have been actively engaged in the profession for at least two of the last five years with no disciplinary actions or criminal convictions may apply for endorsement. Under the Section 27 endorsement, applicants who do not meet the standard licensure criteria but have achieved cumulative qualifications the Board considers equivalent may also be approved. Both pathways are processed through PALS. Source: State Board of Medicine Snapshot.
Practical Notes for Pennsylvania Applicants
- Pennsylvania accepts the CRT — plan accordingly. If you are coming from a state that required the RRT for licensure, Pennsylvania’s lower threshold may simplify the process. If you are a new graduate deciding which NBRC exam to sit for first, note that the CRT is sufficient here and in most states.
- Complete the child abuse CE before applying. The 3-hour child abuse recognition training is required before the license is issued, not after. Factor this into your timeline — it is a Pennsylvania-specific requirement that catches some applicants off guard.
- Apply under the State Board of Medicine. Both boards follow the same regulations, but fees and administrative processes differ. The large majority of Pennsylvania RTs license under the State Board of Medicine, and the PSRC recommends it for new applicants.
- Travel respiratory therapists: Pennsylvania is not a compact state. Full licensure or Act 41 endorsement is required for Pennsylvania-based practice. No compact shortcut is available, and legislation to join the RCIC has not been introduced in Pennsylvania.
Relevant Statutes and Rules
- 49 Pa. Code § 18.307 — Criteria for Licensure as a Respiratory Therapist
- 49 Pa. Code § 18.309a — Requirement of Continuing Education
Related Pages
- Pennsylvania Respiratory Therapist License Renewal — CE Requirements and Fees
- Ohio Respiratory Care Professional Licensing — Initial Requirements
- Respiratory Care Licensing by State — Complete Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a license to practice respiratory therapy in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Pennsylvania requires a Respiratory Therapist license issued by the State Board of Medicine (or the State Board of Osteopathic Medicine) to practice respiratory therapy in the state. Source: Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine.
Does Pennsylvania require the CRT or RRT for licensure?
Pennsylvania requires the NBRC entry-level credentialing examination for initial licensure — the CRT credential satisfies this requirement. The RRT is not required. This distinguishes Pennsylvania from states like Ohio, which require the full registry-level credential. Source: 49 Pa. Code § 18.307.
What is the application fee for a Pennsylvania respiratory therapist license?
The initial application fee under the State Board of Medicine is $30.00. Applicants choosing the State Board of Osteopathic Medicine pathway should confirm that board’s current fee directly. Fees are subject to change — always verify before submitting. Source: Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine.
What is the child abuse CE requirement for initial licensure?
Pennsylvania requires applicants to complete 3 hours of Board-approved continuing education in child abuse recognition and reporting before the initial license is issued. This is a Pennsylvania-specific requirement that applies at initial licensure and also recurs at each biennial renewal (2 hours per cycle). Source: Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine.
Can I apply by endorsement if I hold an out-of-state license?
Yes. Pennsylvania’s Act 41 endorsement pathway allows qualifying out-of-state licensees to apply without meeting all standard new-applicant requirements, provided they hold an active license in good standing with substantially equivalent requirements, have practiced for at least two of the last five years, and have no disciplinary actions or criminal convictions. Source: Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine.
Is Pennsylvania part of the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact?
No. Pennsylvania has not enacted the RCIC and, as of this page’s verification date, legislation to join the compact has not been introduced in the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Full licensure is required to practice in Pennsylvania. Verify current status with the State Board of Medicine and the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact commission.
What is a Pennsylvania temporary permit for respiratory therapists?
Pennsylvania issues temporary permits under 49 Pa. Code § 18.306 to applicants who hold an NBRC credential and are in the process of obtaining full licensure. A temporary permit allows supervised practice during that period. Contact the State Board of Medicine to confirm current eligibility requirements and fees. Source: Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine.