Arizona Respiratory Care Practitioner License Requirements

ByAllied License Guide Editorial Team

Editorial Note: This page is editorially reviewed by an ARDMS-credentialed sonographer as part of AlliedLicenseGuide.com’s allied health licensing database. Primary source: Arizona State Board of Respiratory Care Examiners — Application Licensure.

Who This Guide Is For

  • NBRC RRT holders applying for initial Arizona licensure as a Respiratory Care Practitioner, including new graduates pursuing licensure by examination and out-of-state practitioners pursuing licensure by endorsement.
  • CRT holders and respiratory therapy students evaluating Arizona’s credential requirements before applying — Arizona requires the RRT credential for new licensure, which is more stringent than the CRT minimum used in many other states.
  • Out-of-state and travel respiratory therapists considering Arizona, where the application process is conducted primarily through the Board’s online Application Portal and includes a fingerprint-based background check and citizenship documentation.

Arizona Respiratory Care Practitioner — At a Glance

License Required Yes
Credential Name Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP)
Governing Body Arizona State Board of Respiratory Care Examiners — standalone independent board
Licensing Pathways Examination (new graduate); Endorsement (licensure based on another state’s license); Foreign-trained applicant
NBRC Credential Required RRT required — CRT alone is not sufficient for new licensure
Arizona State Exam None required
Education Requirement Graduation from a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy training program
Application Fee $270 total ($100 application + $120 initial license + $50 fingerprint fee); $3 convenience fee added if applying online ($273 total)
Application Method Online via the Board’s Application Portal ($3 convenience fee) or paper application mailed/hand-delivered to the Board office
Background Check Yes — fingerprint-based (AZ DPS “Field Print” or FBI Form FD-258, depending on residency)
Citizenship/Lawful Presence Required at application and again at every renewal
Jurisprudence Exam None required
Interstate Compact (RCIC) Not enacted — no active legislation identified at time of review
Governing Law A.R.S. Title 32, Chapter 35; Arizona Administrative Code Title 4, Chapter 45 (R4-45)

Arizona licenses respiratory care practitioners through the Arizona State Board of Respiratory Care Examiners, an independent regulatory board established under the Respiratory Care Practice Act (A.R.S. Title 32, Chapter 35) and its implementing rules at Arizona Administrative Code Title 4, Chapter 45 (R4-45). Like North Carolina’s board, Arizona’s board operates as a standalone agency dedicated solely to respiratory care licensure, rather than being folded into a larger multi-profession medical board.

Arizona licenses run on a two-year (biennial) cycle tied to the licensee’s birthday. Both new applications and renewals can be completed online through the Board’s Application Portal and Licensee Portal — submitting online adds a small $3 convenience fee — or by mailing or hand-delivering a paper application to the Board office, which will also mail an application form on request.

What Makes Arizona Different

The single most important detail for anyone researching Arizona respiratory care licensure is the credential requirement: Arizona requires the NBRC RRT (Registered Respiratory Therapist) credential for new licensure — the CRT (Certified Respiratory Therapist) credential alone is not sufficient. This is a meaningfully higher bar than many other states, where CRT is accepted as the entry-level minimum. The Board’s own homepage states this without qualification: applicants who do not hold or intend to obtain an RRT credential will not be licensed. A “grandfathered” exception exists in the Board’s rules for individuals who held a CRT credential and applied for licensure before January 1, 2017, but this does not apply to new applicants today. The RRT requirement for endorsement (out-of-state) applicants was specifically made effective April 1, 2022, at the end of the state’s COVID-19 emergency provisions, which had temporarily relaxed credential requirements.

Arizona also stands out for requiring citizenship or lawful presence documentation not just at initial application, but again at every renewal — Arizona Administrative Code R4-45-207(B)(1)(l) requires renewal applicants to provide “evidence of the applicant’s U.S. citizenship, alien status, legal residency, or lawful presence in the U.S.” Few states in this series have required this documentation on an ongoing, renewal-by-renewal basis.

Finally, Arizona’s background check process is more involved than a simple consent form: depending on where the applicant lives, it requires either enrollment in the Arizona Department of Public Safety’s “Field Print” livescan system (for Arizona residents) or completion of a physical FBI fingerprint card (Form FD-258) mailed directly to out-of-state applicants, with strict chain-of-custody handling instructions. The Board explicitly warns that fingerprint cards not handled according to instructions will be rejected, requiring resubmission and delaying licensure.

Respiratory Care Interstate Compact (RCIC)

As of this page’s last verification date, Arizona has not enacted the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, and no active RCIC legislation for Arizona was identified. The RCIC reached its enactment threshold and formally established its governing Commission on April 7, 2026, after eight states passed the compact’s model legislation (with Alabama noted as an early adopter); additional states reportedly have legislation pending for 2026. Arizona was not among the states that had enacted the compact as of this review. Given how quickly other states have moved on RCIC in 2025-2026, Arizona’s status here should be treated as time-sensitive — verify current status at respiratorycarecompact.org or directly with the Board.

Licensing Requirements

To be licensed as a Respiratory Care Practitioner in Arizona by examination, an applicant must hold a current NBRC RRT credential and be a graduate of a respiratory therapy training program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC), as required by Arizona Administrative Code R4-45-202. No separate Arizona-specific clinical or jurisprudence exam is administered.

The Board’s application page states that applications will not be considered complete without: a photocopy of the applicant’s diploma from their respiratory therapy training program; a document proving citizenship from the Board’s “Evidence of Citizenship” list; for any “yes” answer to a background question on the application, a complete written explanation along with all related documentation; and, for applicants who have ever held a license in another state, a verification of that license sent directly to the Arizona Board by every state board where the applicant held a license, registration, or certification. Applicants who have not practiced respiratory care or held a license in any state during the three years immediately preceding their application must also submit documentation of 20 approved continuing education units, per A.R.S. § 32-3523(B).

Once the application is submitted, the Board’s background check process diverges based on residency: Arizona residents are directed to the Arizona Department of Public Safety’s “Field Print” system, while out-of-state applicants are mailed a blue FBI Form FD-258 fingerprint card and must carefully follow the Board’s chain-of-custody instructions for completing and returning it. The fingerprint processing fee is $50 and must be paid by credit card, certified check, or money order — personal checks are not accepted for this fee specifically, per R4-45-102(A)(9).

Temporary License While Your Application Is Processed

Arizona offers a temporary license, under A.R.S. § 32-3124, for applicants who already hold an active, unrestricted respiratory care license in another U.S. state, territory, or possession. To qualify, an applicant must have already submitted their initial Arizona license application and paid the applicable fees, must never have had a health profession license revoked or suspended, and must not be the subject of any unresolved complaint against their respiratory care license. This pathway is most relevant to out-of-state and travel respiratory therapists who want to begin working in Arizona while their endorsement application — which can take 6-8 weeks — is still being processed, rather than waiting for the full license to be issued. The Board’s Frequently Asked Questions page references separate “Temporary License instructions”; this page confirms the eligibility criteria but has not independently verified the temporary license’s duration or full application procedure — consult the Board’s Temporary License instructions directly for those details.

How to Apply

  1. Confirm your NBRC credential. A current RRT is required — if you hold only the CRT credential, you will need to complete the RRT examination before (or in conjunction with) your Arizona application, as the Board will not issue a license without it.
  2. Create an account in the Board’s Application Portal to begin your application for licensure.
  3. Gather required documents: a photocopy of your respiratory therapy training program diploma, a qualifying citizenship document from the Board’s Evidence of Citizenship list, and (if applying by endorsement) a request for license verification sent to every state board where you have held a license.
  4. Complete the fingerprint background check. Arizona residents will use the AZ DPS “Field Print” system; out-of-state applicants will receive an FBI Form FD-258 card by mail and must follow the chain-of-custody instructions exactly to avoid rejection and delay.
  5. If you have not practiced or held a license in any state for the past 3 years, prepare documentation of 20 approved continuing education units to submit with your application.
  6. Pay the application fees (see table above) — $270 total ($100 application + $120 initial license + $50 fingerprint fee), plus a $3 convenience fee if you apply online ($273 total); all fees other than the $50 fingerprint fee can be paid by personal check, credit card, certified check, or money order.
  7. If you already hold an active, unrestricted out-of-state license and want to begin working in Arizona while your application is processed, look into the temporary license available under A.R.S. § 32-3124 (see below).
  8. Allow approximately 6-8 weeks for the Board to review and approve your completed application.

Practical Notes

  • The RRT requirement is the thing most likely to surprise applicants. Many respiratory therapy graduates earn the CRT credential first and plan to pursue RRT later. In Arizona, that sequencing matters — the Board will not issue a license on a CRT credential alone, so confirm your RRT exam timeline before assuming you’re ready to apply.
  • Fingerprint chain-of-custody is not a formality. The Board’s own materials specifically warn that improperly handled FBI fingerprint cards will be rejected outright, forcing a resubmission and delaying your entire application. Read the instructions carefully before mailing anything back.
  • Paper applications are accepted, despite what one Board page suggests. The Board’s FAQ states applications can be mailed or hand-delivered, and the Board will mail you an application on request — though a separate Board services page states paper applications are not accepted. If applying online matters to you for the $3 convenience-fee difference or otherwise, the online Application Portal is the more consistently-described option, but a paper application appears to remain available.
  • If you’re coming from another state with an active license, look into the temporary license early. Arizona’s A.R.S. § 32-3124 temporary license can let you start working while your endorsement application is processed — but you must have already submitted your application and paid fees to qualify, so it’s not a way to skip the application process, just to avoid waiting out the full 6-8 weeks before you can practice.
  • If you’ve been away from the field for 3+ years, build in time for CEUs. Returning practitioners (or first-time applicants who haven’t held any license in 3 years) need 20 approved CEUs submitted with the application — plan ahead so this doesn’t become a last-minute scramble.

Relevant Statutes and Rules

Related Pages

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the RRT required for respiratory care licensure in Arizona?

Yes. Arizona requires the NBRC RRT (Registered Respiratory Therapist) credential for new licensure — the CRT (Certified Respiratory Therapist) credential alone is not sufficient. The Board states directly that applicants who do not hold or intend to obtain an RRT credential will not be licensed. A narrow “grandfathered” exception in the Board’s rules applies only to individuals who held a CRT credential and applied for licensure before January 1, 2017. Source: Arizona State Board of Respiratory Care Examiners (homepage and application page) and Arizona Administrative Code R4-45-101.

How much does it cost to get an initial respiratory care license in Arizona?

The total is $270, made up of a $100 application fee, a $120 initial license fee, and a $50 fingerprint processing fee. A $3 convenience fee is added if you submit your application through the Board’s online portal, bringing the online total to $273. Foreign-trained applicants pay a $200 application fee instead of $100. All fees are set under Arizona Administrative Code R4-45-102 and are nonrefundable. Source: Arizona State Board of Respiratory Care Examiners — Frequently Asked Questions and R4-45-102.

How long does it take to get an Arizona respiratory care license?

The Board’s own application page states that applications “can generally take 6-8 [weeks] to process for approval” once all required documentation has been received, including the results of the fingerprint background check. Source: Arizona State Board of Respiratory Care Examiners — Application Licensure.

Is Arizona part of the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact?

No, not as of this page’s last verification date, and no active RCIC legislation for Arizona was identified. The RCIC formally established its governing Commission on April 7, 2026 after eight states enacted the compact, with additional states reportedly pursuing legislation in 2026. Because the compact’s footprint is expanding quickly, verify current status at respiratorycarecompact.org or directly with the Arizona Board.

Is a background check required for Arizona respiratory care licensure?

Yes. After submitting an application, Arizona residents are directed to the Arizona Department of Public Safety’s “Field Print” fingerprinting system, while out-of-state applicants are mailed an FBI Form FD-258 fingerprint card and must follow the Board’s chain-of-custody instructions exactly — improperly handled cards will be rejected and must be resubmitted, delaying licensure. The $50 fingerprint processing fee must be paid by credit card, certified check, or money order (not personal check). Source: Arizona State Board of Respiratory Care Examiners — Application Licensure and Arizona Administrative Code R4-45-102(A)(9).

Is proof of citizenship required for Arizona respiratory care licensure?

Yes. Initial applicants must submit a qualifying document from the Board’s “Evidence of Citizenship” list as part of a complete application. This requirement is not limited to the initial application — Arizona Administrative Code R4-45-207(B)(1)(l) also requires renewal applicants to provide evidence of U.S. citizenship, alien status, legal residency, or lawful presence at every renewal. Source: Arizona State Board of Respiratory Care Examiners — Application Licensure and Arizona Administrative Code R4-45-207(B)(1)(l).

Can I work in Arizona while my respiratory care license application is being processed?

Possibly, through a temporary license under A.R.S. § 32-3124. To qualify, you must have already submitted your initial Arizona license application and paid the applicable fees, hold an active and unrestricted respiratory care license in another U.S. state, territory, or possession, have never had a health profession license revoked or suspended, and have no unresolved complaints against your license. This is intended to let out-of-state-licensed applicants begin working while their application — which can take 6-8 weeks — is processed. Source: Arizona State Board of Respiratory Care Examiners — Frequently Asked Questions and A.R.S. § 32-3124.

Fees and requirements listed on this page are based on information published by the Arizona State Board of Respiratory Care Examiners and Arizona Administrative Code R4-45, verified on the date shown in the change log below. Fees and requirements are subject to change — confirm current details with the Arizona State Board of Respiratory Care Examiners before submitting an application.

Change Log
2026-06-14 — Page created. Data verified directly from the Arizona State Board of Respiratory Care Examiners’ website (application-licensure, continuing-education, frequently-asked-questions, and online-services pages) and Arizona Administrative Code R4-45 (sections 101, 102, 202, 205, 207, 211, 216) and A.R.S. §§ 32-3124, 32-3523. Key findings: RRT is required for new licensure — CRT alone is not sufficient (this directly contradicted one of the two Step 1/2 research sources, which had claimed CRT was sufficient; confirmed directly from the Board’s own homepage and application page, with the endorsement-specific RRT requirement effective April 1, 2022 per R4-45-205(3)). Initial fee total of $270 confirmed via R4-45-102 ($100 application + $120 initial license + $50 fingerprint), with a $3 online convenience fee bringing the online total to $273, per the Board’s FAQ; foreign-trained applicants pay $200 for the application fee. The Board’s FAQ confirms both online and paper/mail-in applications are accepted (one separate Board services page states paper is not accepted — treated as an outlier). A temporary license under A.R.S. § 32-3124 was identified for out-of-state-licensed applicants awaiting processing — this corrects an earlier claim from one Step 1/2 source (“no temporary license available”) that was based on a third-party site, not a Board source. Background check process (AZ DPS Field Print vs. FBI FD-258) and citizenship documentation requirements (at both initial application and every renewal, per R4-45-207(B)(1)(l)) confirmed from the Board’s application page and R4-45-207. Note: A.R.S. § 32-3521 — initially cited by one Step 1/2 source as “the license required statute” — was independently checked and found to actually address allowable unlicensed activities and medical equipment dealer transactions, not the core licensure requirement; no specific section number is cited for the core licensure requirement on this page as a result. Compact status: not enacted, no active legislation identified for Arizona as of verification date. The temporary license’s duration and full procedure were not independently verified beyond FAQ eligibility criteria — flagged for Kenneth’s review if relevant detail is needed.

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