Minnesota Respiratory Therapist License Requirements
- Respiratory therapists applying for an initial Minnesota Respiratory Therapist license
- Out-of-state RTs seeking Minnesota licensure by reciprocity
- Travel respiratory therapists planning Minnesota assignments
- Canadian respiratory therapists (CSRT credential holders) seeking Minnesota licensure
- Practitioners who need to understand Minnesota’s annual renewal and biennial CE structure
Minnesota Respiratory Therapist License — At a Glance
| Credential Name | Respiratory Therapist |
| Governing Agency | Minnesota Board of Medical Practice |
| Credential Requirement | NBRC certification or CSRT certification (Canadian Society for Respiratory Therapy) required; Board application instructions do not specify CRT versus RRT — contact the Board to confirm current credential requirements |
| Application Fee | $222 (all-in — includes application fee, annual license fee, and criminal background check fee) |
| Available Pathways | General licensure (examination); reciprocity (current out-of-state license + 8 weeks employment in prior 5 years) |
| Application Method | Online via HLB portal (bmp.hlb.state.mn.us) or paper application |
| Processing Time | Approximately 4 weeks once complete; incomplete files destroyed after 6 months |
| Background Check | Criminal background check required (ORI: MN920158Z); instructions emailed after application is processed |
| Education | Approved accredited respiratory therapy education program; verification sent directly from institution |
| Photo Required | Yes — recent, full-face 2″×2″ color photo, notarized as true likeness on Affidavit of Applicant form |
| Jurisprudence Exam | None required |
| Interstate Compact | None — Minnesota has not enacted the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact; verify current status at respiratorycarecompact.org |
| Governing Law | Minn. Stat. Chapter 147C (Respiratory Care Practitioners) |
Minnesota licenses respiratory therapists through the Board of Medical Practice under Minn. Stat. Chapter 147C. All applications are submitted through the Board’s online HLB portal or by paper, and the $222 initial license fee is all-inclusive — it covers the application, the first year’s license fee, and the criminal background check. Minnesota is one of the few states that explicitly accepts both NBRC credentials and CSRT (Canadian Society for Respiratory Therapy) credentials for licensure.
Minnesota’s renewal structure is worth understanding before you apply: the license renews every year (not every two years), with a $90 annual renewal fee. Continuing education, however, is tracked on a two-year cycle — 24 hours every two years. These are separate cycles. You will pay an annual renewal fee while completing CE on a biennial schedule.
What Makes Minnesota Different
Several features distinguish Minnesota RT licensure from other states in this series. Minnesota explicitly accepts both NBRC and CSRT credentials — Canadian-trained practitioners with CSRT certification can apply for Minnesota licensure without needing to retest through NBRC. The June 2025 application instructions require “NBRC or CSRT certification” and do not specify CRT versus RRT level. This means the Board has not published an explicit minimum credential tier — confirm the current requirement directly with the Board before applying, particularly if there is any question about which NBRC credential you hold.
The photo requirement is also unusual. Minnesota requires a recent, full-face 2″×2″ color photo that must be notarized as a true likeness on the Affidavit of Applicant form — not just submitted with the application packet. The name on the application must match the name on the NBRC or CSRT certificate exactly; if there has been a name change, supporting documentation must be included.
The reciprocity pathway has a specific employment requirement: applicants seeking licensure by reciprocity must demonstrate employment as a respiratory therapist for at least 8 weeks of the previous 5 years, in addition to holding a current and unrestricted out-of-state license.
Minnesota Respiratory Therapist Licensure Requirements
NBRC or CSRT Credential
Minnesota requires verification of successful completion of the NBRC or CSRT examination within 5 years prior to application for licensure (general licensure pathway). The Board’s June 2025 application instructions require “NBRC or CSRT certification” but do not specify a particular NBRC credential level (CRT versus RRT). NBRC sends credential verification directly to the Board via nbrc.org; CSRT verification is sent via csrt.com. No separate Minnesota state examination is required. Contact the Board at 612-617-2130 or Medical.Board@state.mn.us to confirm which specific credential currently satisfies the requirement before applying. Source: Minnesota Board RT Application Instructions, June 2025
Education
General licensure applicants must provide verification of successful completion of an approved accredited respiratory therapy education program. A Verification of Respiratory Therapist Education form must be completed and emailed or mailed directly from the institution to the Board — it may not be submitted by the applicant. Applicants must also submit a copy of their respiratory therapy education diploma. Source: Minnesota Board RT Application Instructions, June 2025
Criminal Background Check
A criminal background check is required for all initial licensure applicants. The CBC instructions are emailed to the applicant after the application is processed — do not attempt to initiate the background check before receiving those instructions. The ORI number for the Board of Medical Practice is MN920158Z. The CBC fee is included in the $222 all-in initial license fee. Source: Minnesota Board RT Application Instructions, June 2025
Reciprocity Pathway
Applicants seeking licensure by reciprocity must provide: verification of a current and unrestricted license from another state that required an approved education program and NBRC or CSRT certification; verification of valid and current NBRC or CSRT certification; and verification of employment as a respiratory therapist for at least 8 weeks of the previous 5 years. License verification may be sent via VeriDoc at veridoc.org if the other state participates; otherwise the sending state contacts the Board directly. Source: Minnesota Board RT Application Instructions, June 2025
Photo and Identity Requirements
The Affidavit of Applicant form requires a recent, full-face 2″×2″ color photograph affixed and notarized as a true likeness. The name on the application must exactly match the name on the NBRC or CSRT certificate. If a name change has occurred, supporting documentation such as a marriage license must be included. A copy of a driver’s license or other government-issued photo ID is also required. Source: Minnesota Board RT Application Instructions, June 2025
Temporary Registration and Temporary Permits
Minnesota statutes (§147C.40) authorize fees for both temporary registration and temporary permits for respiratory therapists, indicating these credential types exist within the Minnesota licensing framework. The specific eligibility requirements, duration, and application process for temporary credentials were not independently confirmed from Board application materials reviewed in June 2026. Contact the Board at 612-617-2130 or Medical.Board@state.mn.us to confirm current temporary credential availability and requirements before applying. Source: Minn. Stat. Chapter 147C
How to Apply for a Minnesota Respiratory Therapist License
- Visit bmp.hlb.state.mn.us and select “Register to Access Site” to begin the online application; alternatively download the paper application packet from the Board’s apply page
- Complete the application and all required forms, selecting either General Licensure or Licensure by Reciprocity
- Pay the $222 fee — online by credit/debit card, or by paper with check, money order, or cashier’s check payable to the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice (no cash)
- Complete and notarize the Affidavit of Applicant form with your 2″×2″ color photo
- Complete the Work History Form
- Arrange for NBRC (nbrc.org) or CSRT (csrt.com) to send credential verification directly to the Board
- For general licensure: arrange for your institution to complete and send the Verification of Respiratory Therapist Education form directly to the Board; include a copy of your diploma
- For reciprocity: arrange for your current licensing state to send license verification to the Board (via VeriDoc or direct contact); include Verification of Employment form
- Include a copy of your driver’s license or government-issued photo ID
- After submitting, wait for emailed CBC instructions — complete the background check using ORI: MN920158Z
- Allow approximately 4 weeks for processing once all materials are received; written confirmation will be mailed identifying any deficiencies
Practical Notes
- Minnesota renews annually — plan for a $90 fee every year. Unlike most states where renewal and CE are on the same biennial cycle, Minnesota charges an annual renewal fee. Your CE is still 24 hours over two years, but you’ll pay $90 every 12 months.
- Wait for the CBC instructions email before initiating your background check. The Board sends CBC instructions after processing your application — do not use a generic fingerprint service before receiving them. Use ORI: MN920158Z when completing the check.
- The photo must be notarized. A passport-style photo is not enough on its own — it must be affixed to the Affidavit of Applicant form and notarized as a true likeness. Budget time for notarization.
- CSRT holders: you qualify. Minnesota is one of very few states that explicitly accepts Canadian respiratory therapy credentials. If you hold CSRT certification, you can apply for Minnesota licensure using the same process as NBRC holders.
- Reciprocity requires recent employment. The 8-weeks-in-5-years employment requirement is not a formality — you must be able to document recent practice. Verification of Employment form must be completed by your employer directly to the Board.
- Incomplete files are destroyed after 6 months. If documents from institutions, NBRC, or other states are slow to arrive, monitor the status and follow up promptly. You cannot restart where you left off after 6 months — you would need to reapply.
Relevant Statutes
- Minn. Stat. Chapter 147C — Respiratory Care Practitioners
- Minn. Stat. §147C.10 — Licensure requirement and prohibited practice
- Minn. Stat. §147C.25 — Continuing education requirements
- Minnesota Board of Medical Practice — Apply for a License
Related Pages
- Minnesota Respiratory Therapist License Renewal Guide
- Respiratory Care Practitioner Licensing by State — Complete Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Minnesota license to practice respiratory therapy in Minnesota?
Yes. Minnesota law prohibits any person from practicing respiratory care or using the title “respiratory therapist” without a license issued under Chapter 147C. Source: Minn. Stat. §147C.10
What is the application fee for a Minnesota respiratory therapist license?
The initial license fee is $222, which is all-inclusive — it covers the application fee, first year’s annual license fee, and the criminal background check fee. There is no separate payment required for the background check. Source: Minnesota Board of Medical Practice Fee List
Does Minnesota accept the CRT credential or is the RRT required?
The June 2025 application instructions require “NBRC or CSRT certification” but do not specify a particular NBRC credential level (CRT or RRT). Minnesota also accepts CSRT (Canadian Society for Respiratory Therapy) credentials. No separate Minnesota state exam is required. Contact the Board at 612-617-2130 or Medical.Board@state.mn.us to confirm which specific credential currently satisfies Minnesota requirements before applying. Source: Minnesota Board RT Application Instructions, June 2025
How long does Minnesota RT license processing take?
The Board advises applicants to allow approximately four weeks for processing of submitted materials. Written confirmation will be mailed identifying any deficiencies. Phone calls are generally returned within 1–3 business days. Note that incomplete files are destroyed after 6 months of inactivity. Source: Minnesota Board of Medical Practice — Apply for a License
What are the reciprocity requirements for a Minnesota RT license?
Licensure by reciprocity requires: a current and unrestricted license from another state that required an approved education program and NBRC or CSRT certification; valid and current NBRC or CSRT certification; and documented employment as a respiratory therapist for at least 8 weeks of the previous 5 years. All verifications must be sent directly from the issuing entity to the Board. Source: Minnesota Board RT Application Instructions, June 2025
Does Minnesota participate in the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact?
No. Minnesota has not enacted the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact (RCIC) as of June 2026. No compact authority appears in Chapter 147C. Verify current RCIC membership status at respiratorycarecompact.org.