New York Respiratory Therapist License Requirements

New York issues respiratory therapy licenses through the State Education Department — not a Department of Health board — making it one of a small group of states where an education agency rather than a health agency governs the profession. The Office of the Professions administers the license through its State Board for Respiratory Therapy, and the pathway centers on NBRC examination results rather than an endorsement of an existing credential.

New York also has a structural feature worth understanding before applying: the license issued upon passing is permanent. What expires every three years is the registration required to legally practice in the state. The initial license fee covers both the application and the first registration period as defined in the NYSED fee schedule — after that, the triennial registration fee is paid separately to maintain practice authority.

What Makes New York Different

The most consequential distinction for respiratory therapists applying to New York is the examination requirement. To be licensed as a Respiratory Therapist, applicants must pass both the NBRC Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) examination and the NBRC Registry Examination (RRT) — including both the written and clinical simulation components. Holding only the CRT is not sufficient for RT licensure; that credential qualifies an applicant only for the lower-tier Respiratory Therapy Technician license. This is different from the approach taken by most states in this series, which accept either the CRT or the RRT for the standard license.

New York also maintains two distinct licensed tiers within respiratory therapy. The Respiratory Therapist (RT) is the full-practice credential; the Respiratory Therapy Technician (RTT) is a lower tier whose holders must work under the supervision of a licensed RT or physician. The two tiers have different educational requirements, different NBRC exam requirements, and different fees at both initial licensure and triennial registration renewal. This guide focuses primarily on the RT pathway — the credential most practitioners seek — but the key distinctions are noted throughout.

Regulatory oversight sits at the State Education Department rather than the Department of Health. This means NYSED’s Office of the Professions handles applications, renewals, enforcement, and board matters — not an MQA-style health licensing division. Practitioners accustomed to navigating state health department portals in other states should be aware that all New York processes run through op.nysed.gov.

Respiratory Care Interstate Compact (RCIC)

As of this page’s last verification date, New York 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 New York is not among the current member states, and no active New York legislation to join the compact was identified as of the verification date below. Travel respiratory therapists working in New York must hold a standard New York RT or RTT license. Verify current compact status at respiratorycarecompact.org or with the NYSED Office of the Professions.

Licensing Requirements

To be licensed as a Respiratory Therapist in New York, an applicant must be at least 18 years of age, demonstrate good moral character, and meet both education and examination requirements. For the RT credential, education requires an associate degree from a respiratory therapy program that is either registered by the New York State Board of Regents or accredited by CoARC. The program must include a minimum of 30 semester hours in respiratory therapy care subjects plus related sciences.

On the examination side, New York requires RT applicants to pass both NBRC exams — the CRT and the RRT, including the written and clinical simulation components. NBRC must forward results directly to the NYSED Office of the Professions; applicant-submitted score copies are not accepted. Out-of-state license verifications from any other jurisdiction where the applicant holds or has held a license must also be submitted directly by the issuing authority using Form 3.

Good moral character is part of the application, and applicants must disclose any criminal history or disciplinary actions on Form 1 accurately. A fingerprint-based background check is not explicitly listed as a requirement on NYSED’s RT licensing pages — the standard is self-disclosure and moral character review. Misrepresentation or failure to disclose is itself grounds for adverse action. Applicants with prior disciplinary history or criminal convictions should contact the Office of the Professions before applying to understand how those matters will be reviewed.

Limited Permits

A limited permit is available for applicants who meet all requirements for licensure except the examination. The permit allows supervised practice while awaiting or preparing for the NBRC exam. Applicants must submit both the limited permit application (Form 5) and the full licensure application (Form 1) along with both fees — the permit is not issued without the licensure application also being filed. A Certification of Supervisor form (Form 5CS) must be submitted for each supervising RT or physician.

The limited permit is valid for one year from the date of issuance, or until ten days after the applicant is notified of a failed exam, or upon notice of application denial — whichever occurs first. If exam results are still pending when the permit would otherwise expire, it remains valid until ten days after result notification.

How to Apply

1. Pass the required NBRC examination(s). For the RT credential: both the CRT and RRT (written + simulation). For the RTT credential: the CRT only. Have NBRC send your results directly to NYSED OP at 89 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12234-1000. Contact NBRC at nbrc.org or 888-341-4811.
2. Complete Form 1 (Application for Licensure) online at NYSED eservices. Answer all questions in full. Online applicants pay by credit card at submission.
3. Submit Form 2 (Certification of Professional Education) — complete Section I yourself, then send the form to your school. The school’s registrar must complete Section II and return it directly to NYSED OP.
4. Request out-of-state license verifications (Form 3) for every jurisdiction where you hold or have ever held a professional license. Each licensing authority must send Form 3 directly to NYSED.
5. Pay the initial fee (see table above). Online: credit card. Mail: check or money order payable to the New York State Education Department. No cash accepted.
6. Allow approximately 6 weeks for processing after all documentation is received. Do not contact the office before that window has passed. Check application status using your Application ID.

Relevant Statutes and Rules

• New York Education Law Article 164 — Respiratory Therapists and Respiratory Therapy Technicians
• Commissioner’s Regulations Part 79-4 — Respiratory Therapy, Respiratory Therapy Technician, and Polysomnographic Technologist
• NYSED — Respiratory Therapy Laws, Rules & Regulations

Related Pages

• New York Respiratory Therapist Registration Renewal
• Florida Respiratory Therapist License Requirements
• Respiratory Care Licensing Hub

Frequently Asked Questions