Florida Respiratory Therapist License Requirements

Florida is one of the country’s largest destination states for respiratory therapists, with a standalone Board of Respiratory Care operating under the Department of Health’s Division of Medical Quality Assurance. A state license is required to practice respiratory care, and the pathway centers on NBRC credential endorsement — applicants holding a valid CRT or RRT from the National Board for Respiratory Care apply directly, with no separate state examination required.

Florida’s licensing structure is handled through the MQA Services Portal, and the Board is required by law to complete an initial review of each application within 30 days of submission. Applicants should account for additional time for NBRC credential verification and electronic fingerprinting, both of which must be completed before a license can be issued.

What Makes Florida Different

Florida accepts both the CRT and the RRT for initial licensure, which gives credentialed respiratory therapists at the CRT level a direct pathway into the state without needing to upgrade their NBRC credential first. That said, the Board has a specific advisory for new graduates who are pursuing the RRT: apply only at the RRT level from the start. Submitting a CRT application and later requesting an upgrade to RRT adds processing steps that delay license issuance — a practical distinction worth knowing early in the credentialing timeline.

Florida also requires electronic fingerprinting for all licensure applicants under House Bill 975, passed during the 2024 legislative session and effective July 1, 2025. This applies at initial application and returns at renewal for licensees whose fingerprint retention record is expiring. Nothing in the application can be finalized until this requirement is met.

Applicants who have been away from practice for two years or more face an additional hurdle: a Board-approved comprehensive review course of at least 14 hours, completed within the two years before filing, covering patient assessment, hemodynamics, mechanical ventilation, and other core practice areas. Recredentialing at the applicable NBRC level is an accepted alternative.

Respiratory Care Interstate Compact (RCIC)

As of this page’s last verification date, Florida has not enacted the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact. The RCIC Commission was formally established in April 2026 after the compact reached its seven-state threshold, but Florida is not among the current member states. Legislation to bring Florida into the compact — HB 1235 and companion SB 970 — was introduced during the 2026 legislative session and had not been signed into law as of the verification date shown below.

Florida respiratory therapists and travel RTs considering interstate practice should verify Florida’s current compact status directly with the Florida Board of Respiratory Care or at respiratorycarecompact.org before making licensing decisions.

Licensing Requirements

Licensure requires holding either the CRT or RRT credential from the National Board for Respiratory Care. The applicant must contact NBRC and have an official letter of verification sent directly to the Board office — applicant-supplied copies of scores, credentials, or wallet cards are not accepted. If you hold or have held licenses in other states, verifications from each of those states must also be sent directly to the Board.

All applicants must complete the online application in full. Any affirmative responses in the criminal, personal, or medical history sections require a written statement and supporting documentation, and some cases require a personal appearance at a Board meeting. Applicants with prior criminal convictions are required to submit self-explanation letters, final disposition records, and three to five professional letters of recommendation.

Electronic fingerprinting is required for all applicants under HB 975. The application will not be approved until this step is complete. Full background screening procedures are available at the MQA Background Screening page.

How to Apply

1. Request NBRC credential verification. Contact NBRC directly at nbrc.org (or call 888-341-4811 toll-free) and request an official verification letter sent to the Florida Board office. Budget time for this — copies and wallet cards are not accepted, and this step is typically on the critical path.
2. Request out-of-state license verifications from every state where you currently hold or have ever held a license, regardless of status. Each verification must be sent directly from the issuing state to the Board.
3. Complete the online application at the MQA Services Portal. Answer all questions in full. Affirmative answers in any history section require a written statement and supporting documentation, which can be emailed or faxed to the Board office.
4. Complete electronic fingerprinting. Visit MQA Background Screening for current procedures. This step must be completed before the application can be approved.
5. Submit the total application fee (see table above). Online applicants pay by credit or debit card. To pay by mail, make a check or money order payable to the “Department of Health” and mail to the address provided on the application.
6. Monitor application status at the MQA Services Portal. Florida law requires initial review within 30 days; additional documents submitted afterward are updated within 14 business days.

Relevant Statutes and Rules

• Florida Statutes Chapter 468, Part V — Respiratory Therapy
• Florida Statutes Chapter 456 — Health Professions and Occupations: General Provisions
• Florida Administrative Code Chapter 64B32 — Board of Respiratory Care

Related Pages

• Florida Respiratory Therapist License Renewal
• Ohio Respiratory Care License Requirements
• Respiratory Care Licensing Hub

Frequently Asked Questions