Colorado Licensed Respiratory Therapist License Requirements
- Respiratory therapists applying for an initial Colorado Licensed Respiratory Therapist credential
- Out-of-state RTs relocating to Colorado or seeking licensure by endorsement from another state
- Travel respiratory therapists planning assignments in Colorado who need to verify credential requirements
- Out-of-state RTs treating Colorado patients remotely who need a Colorado telehealth registration
Colorado Licensed Respiratory Therapist — At a Glance
| Credential Name | Licensed Respiratory Therapist |
| Governing Agency | Office of Respiratory Therapy Licensure, Colorado DPO / DORA |
| NBRC Credential Required | CRT minimum — RRT also accepted |
| Application Fee | No fee required — per DORA fee lookup system (RTL – Respiratory Therapist – All Statuses: No Fee Required); verify at DPO portal before submitting |
| Available Pathways | Initial license by Original Method; Out-of-state credential (verify current pathway in DPO Online Services); Telehealth Registration |
| Application Method | Online only — DPO Online Services portal |
| Processing Time | Not published — verify with DPO at time of application |
| Background Check | Criminal history and discipline disclosure required (per 4 CCR 741-1.6); no fingerprint-based background check requirement identified in sources reviewed |
| Education Requirement | Graduation from an approved respiratory therapy program — verify degree level and accreditation requirements in DPO Online Services application materials |
| Jurisprudence Exam | None required |
| Interstate Compact | None — Colorado has not enacted the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact |
| Payment Methods | Accepted payment methods displayed within DPO Online Services at time of application |
| Governing Law | C.R.S. Title 12, Article 300; 4 CCR 741-1 |
Colorado licenses respiratory therapists through the Office of Respiratory Therapy Licensure, a program within the Division of Professions and Occupations (DPO) under the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA). The credential is called the Licensed Respiratory Therapist, and the program has been regulated under Title 12 of the Colorado Revised Statutes since 2004. The General Assembly continued the program through September 1, 2035, pursuant to HB24-1253.
Colorado directs applicants to apply through DPO Online Services for all respiratory therapy applications.
What Makes Colorado Different
Colorado occupies a distinctive position in the respiratory care licensing landscape for two reasons. First, it accepts the CRT as its minimum NBRC credential, keeping the door open to newer graduates and practitioners who hold the entry-level credential without the advanced RRT. Second, and more unusually, Colorado requires zero continuing education hours for standard active license renewal — a position almost unique among licensed respiratory therapy states. These two features make Colorado one of the more accessible states for initial licensure and one of the lowest-burden states for maintaining a license once issued.
Colorado also offers a telehealth registration pathway — separate from the standard license — for out-of-state practitioners treating Colorado patients remotely. This pathway has been available since January 1, 2026, and is processed through the same DPO Online Services system as regular licenses.
Colorado has not enacted the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact (RCIC). Practitioners seeking to work in Colorado must hold a Colorado license or telehealth registration regardless of their home state’s compact membership.
Colorado Licensed Respiratory Therapist Licensure Requirements
Pathway 1 — Original Method (Examination)
Applicants who completed their respiratory therapy training must have graduated from an approved respiratory therapy program and hold a current NBRC credential — either the CRT or RRT. There is no separate Colorado state exam. Verify specific degree level and program accreditation requirements in the DPO Online Services application materials, as these details are contained within the portal rather than on public-facing DPO pages.
Pathway 2 — Out-of-State Credential Holders
Applicants already licensed as a respiratory therapist in another state may apply for Colorado licensure based on their out-of-state credential. The application is submitted through the DPO Online Services portal. Note: the Colorado DPO Telehealth FAQ uses the phrase “full endorsement (or original/exam) requirements” to describe the standard licensure pathway for out-of-state providers seeking to practice in-person in Colorado — verify current pathway terminology and documentation requirements in DPO Online Services, as the DPO Applications page does not list a separately named endorsement pathway for respiratory therapy. Out-of-state credential verification is required as part of this process. Source: Colorado DPO Telehealth FAQ
Pathway 3 — Telehealth Registration
Beginning January 1, 2026, out-of-state respiratory therapists treating Colorado patients via telehealth may obtain a Colorado telehealth registration rather than a full license. This pathway is intended for practitioners whose primary practice is in another state but who treat Colorado patients remotely. The telehealth registration is available through the same DPO Online Services portal and is a separate credential from the standard Licensed Respiratory Therapist license. Source: Colorado DPO Telehealth FAQ
How to Apply for a Colorado Licensed Respiratory Therapist License
Applications are submitted through DPO Online Services. Colorado directs applicants to use the online portal for respiratory therapy applications.
- Create an account or log in to DPO Online Services
- Select the appropriate application type: Initial license by Original Method, Out-of-State Credential, or Telehealth Registration
- Complete all application sections, including criminal history and discipline disclosure questions
- Provide verification of your credentials and NBRC examination results as required by the portal
- Pay any applicable fee — current fee information is displayed within DPO Online Services
- Monitor your email — DPO communicates primarily via email; include your current address and respond promptly to any DPO requests to avoid delays
Practical Notes
- CRT is sufficient — but your employer may still require RRT. Colorado law accepts the CRT for licensure, but many hospital systems and staffing agencies require the RRT as a condition of employment regardless of what the state minimum is. Check with your employer or agency before assuming CRT is enough for the job, even if it satisfies the state.
- The DORA fee lookup shows no fee required. The Colorado DORA fee schedule lists “RTL – Respiratory Therapist – All Statuses: No Fee Required.” This is unusual — verify at the DPO Online Services portal when you apply to confirm no payment is required for your specific application type.
- Processing time isn’t published. DPO does not post a processing timeline for respiratory therapy applications. Email dora_respiratoryboard@state.co.us after submitting if you need a status update.
- No compact membership means no shortcut for multistate practice. Colorado has not enacted the RCIC. If you hold compact privileges through another state’s compact membership, those privileges do not extend to Colorado. You need a Colorado credential to practice here.
- New applicants near August 31 get the next cycle. If your license is issued within 120 days of the August 31 renewal deadline, Colorado automatically extends your expiration to the next even-year August 31. You won’t face a double renewal immediately after getting licensed.
- Telehealth registration is a separate credential. If you’re treating Colorado patients remotely from another state, the telehealth registration is the appropriate pathway — not a full license. Apply for the right credential type from the start.
Relevant Statutes and Rules
- C.R.S. Title 12, Article 300 — Respiratory Therapists Practice Act — Colorado DPO laws page
- 4 CCR 741-1 — Respiratory Therapy Rules and Regulations — Colorado Secretary of State
Related Pages
- Colorado Licensed Respiratory Therapist License Renewal Guide
- Respiratory Care Practitioner Licensing by State — Complete Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Colorado license to practice respiratory therapy in Colorado?
Yes. Colorado law requires a license before practicing as a respiratory therapist in the state. The credential is called the Licensed Respiratory Therapist and is issued by the Office of Respiratory Therapy Licensure under DORA’s Division of Professions and Occupations. Source: Colorado DPO Respiratory Therapy Homepage
Is the CRT credential sufficient for a Colorado respiratory therapy license?
Yes. Colorado accepts the NBRC Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credential as meeting the examination requirement for initial licensure. The Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential is also accepted. Colorado does not require the RRT as the minimum standard, unlike some other states. Source: Colorado DPO Respiratory Therapy Applications
How do I apply for a Colorado respiratory therapy license?
All Colorado respiratory therapy license applications are submitted online through the DPO Online Services portal. Colorado does not accept paper applications. You will need to create a DPO account and select the appropriate application type — Original Method, Endorsement, or Telehealth Registration. Source: Colorado DPO Respiratory Therapy Applications
What education is required for a Colorado respiratory therapy license?
Colorado requires graduation from an approved respiratory therapy program. Specific degree level and accreditation requirements are contained within the DPO Online Services application materials — verify requirements in the portal before applying. Source: Colorado DPO Respiratory Therapy Applications
Does Colorado participate in the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact?
No. Colorado has not enacted the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact (RCIC). Practitioners licensed in RCIC member states do not have compact privileges that extend to Colorado. A Colorado license or telehealth registration is required to practice in Colorado, regardless of compact membership in another state. Verify current RCIC membership status at respiratorycarecompact.org.
Is there a jurisprudence exam required in Colorado?
No jurisprudence examination requirement was identified in Colorado DPO respiratory therapy licensing materials reviewed in June 2026. Source: Colorado DPO Respiratory Therapy Applications
What is the telehealth registration and who needs it?
Beginning January 1, 2026, Colorado offers a telehealth registration for out-of-state respiratory therapists who treat Colorado patients remotely. This is a separate credential from the standard license and is available through DPO Online Services. If you are physically located in another state but provide respiratory therapy services to patients physically located in Colorado via telehealth, you need this registration. Source: Colorado DPO Telehealth FAQ