Minnesota Respiratory Therapist License Renewal

Minnesota’s renewal structure for respiratory therapists has two separate cycles that operate independently: the license renews annually at $90 per year, while continuing education is tracked on a two-year basis at 24 hours per reporting period. These are not the same cycle. You will renew your license every 12 months while accumulating CE hours over a rolling two-year window. The Board conducts random audits to verify CE attestations, and documentation must be available from the licensee or from national organizations that maintain CE records.

Minnesota’s CE framework under §147C.25 is notably flexible in some ways: AARC-approved programs are explicitly recognized, hospital in-service programs can qualify if they meet the statutory criteria, and an NBRC full credentialing exam can satisfy the entire 24-hour CE requirement for a two-year period. One specific cap applies: no more than 8 combined hours per two-year period may come from management, risk management, personal growth, and educational techniques topics.

Minnesota Respiratory Therapist CE Requirements

Two years after initial licensure, and every two years thereafter, a Minnesota RT must complete a minimum of 24 contact hours of Board-approved continuing education and attest to completion at license renewal. CE hours may not be carried over from one two-year reporting period to the next.

Approved CE Programs — Automatic

The following are automatically approved for CE credit under Minn. Stat. §147C.25, Subd. 2:

• Programs approved by the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) or the Minnesota Society for Respiratory Care (or their successor organizations)
• Programs substantially related to respiratory therapy sponsored by an accredited university or college
• Programs sponsored by a medical school
• Programs sponsored by a state or national medical association
• Programs sponsored by a national medical specialty society
• Programs approved for CE credit by the Minnesota Board of Nursing

Source: Minn. Stat. §147C.25, Subd. 2

Other Qualifying Programs

The Board may also approve programs that do not fall under the automatic categories above if they meet all of the following criteria per §147C.25, Subd. 3: the content directly relates to the practice of respiratory therapy; each faculty member is knowledgeable in the subject matter; the program lasts at least one contact hour; there are specific, measurable, written objectives describing expected outcomes; and the sponsor has a mechanism to verify participation and maintains attendance records for three years. Source: Minn. Stat. §147C.25, Subd. 3

Hospital and Facility In-Services

Hospital, health care facility, or medical company in-service programs may qualify for CE credits if they meet the requirements of §147C.25. This is an important feature for practitioners who receive regular in-service training through their employers — those hours can count toward the CE requirement if the program meets the statutory criteria. Source: Minn. Stat. §147C.25, Subd. 4

Management and Personal Growth Cap

No more than a combined total of 8 hours in the areas of management, risk management, personal growth, and educational techniques may be applied to a two-year reporting period. All other approved CE topic areas have no statutory hour cap. Source: Minn. Stat. §147C.25, Subd. 7

NBRC Exam CE Credit

Minnesota’s CE statute (§147C.25, Subd. 8) includes two significant NBRC exam provisions. First, a licensee may fulfill the continuing education requirements for a two-year reporting period by achieving a qualifying score on one of the NBRC credentialing or specialty examinations, or an examination from another board-approved testing organization. Second, completing an NBRC specialty examination earns 12 hours of CE credit — exactly half the biennial requirement in a single exam. Source: Minn. Stat. §147C.25, Subd. 8

CE Documentation and Audits

The Board periodically selects a random sample of licensees and requires documentation of CE completion. Documentation may be provided directly by the licensee or by state or national organizations that maintain CE records. CE hours from one two-year period may not be applied to a future reporting period. Source: Minn. Stat. §147C.25, Subds. 5 and 6

How to Renew Your Minnesota Respiratory Therapist License

1. Log in to the HLB portal (bmp.hlb.state.mn.us) to renew your license online
2. Attest to CE completion — 24 hours over the preceding two-year period (or that you are within the first two years of initial licensure and CE is not yet required)
3. Pay the $90 annual renewal fee; a $50 late fee applies if renewal is submitted after expiration
4. Submit before your expiration date — verify your exact expiration date through the HLB portal or contact the Board at 612-617-2130

Practical Notes for Minnesota RT Renewal

• Annual renewal, biennial CE — keep them separate in your head. You pay $90 every year to keep your license current. You track CE over a rolling two-year window. Missing an annual renewal means your license lapses even if your CE is complete. They are independent obligations.
• Passing your NBRC exam can cover your entire CE requirement. If you sat for the full NBRC credentialing exam in the two-year period, that satisfies all 24 hours. If you passed a specialty exam, that’s 12 hours — half your requirement in one step. Factor this into your CE planning if recredentialing is already on your schedule.
• Hospital in-services may count. If your employer runs regular in-service training programs, check whether they meet the §147C.25 Subd. 3 criteria. Programs with written objectives, qualified faculty, and attendance tracking likely qualify — which could reduce how much external CE you need to purchase.
• The 8-hour management cap is the only categorical restriction. Beyond the management/personal growth cap, there is no stated limit on self-study, online, or any other delivery format. AARC-approved online CE counts without restriction.
• CE hours do not carry over. Hours earned in excess of 24 in one two-year period cannot be banked for the next. Plan your CE intake to avoid waste.
• Verify your expiration date directly — it’s not a fixed statewide date. Minnesota’s renewal expiration is individual per license. Log into the HLB portal or call 612-617-2130 to confirm your specific renewal date.

Related Pages

• Minnesota Respiratory Therapist Initial Licensing — Requirements and Application
• Respiratory Care Practitioner Licensing by State — Complete Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

How often do I need to renew my Minnesota respiratory therapist license?

Minnesota respiratory therapist licenses renew annually — every 12 months. The renewal fee is $90 per year. Note that continuing education is tracked separately on a two-year cycle (24 hours per two-year period). These are two independent obligations. Source: Minnesota Board of Medical Practice Fee List

How many CE hours are required to renew a Minnesota respiratory therapist license?

Minnesota requires 24 contact hours of Board-approved CE per two-year reporting period, beginning two years after initial licensure. CE is tracked on a biennial basis even though the license renews annually. CE hours may not be carried over between two-year periods. Source: Minn. Stat. §147C.25, Subd. 1

Can I use NBRC exam credit toward my Minnesota CE requirement?

Yes. Achieving a qualifying score on an NBRC credentialing or specialty examination can fulfill the entire 24-hour CE requirement for a two-year reporting period. Additionally, completing an NBRC specialty examination earns 12 hours of CE credit. These provisions are codified in Minn. Stat. §147C.25, Subd. 8, and also apply to other board-approved testing organizations. Source: Minn. Stat. §147C.25, Subd. 8

Does AARC-approved CE count toward Minnesota requirements?

Yes. Programs approved by the AARC or the Minnesota Society for Respiratory Care are explicitly approved for CE credit under Minn. Stat. §147C.25, Subd. 2. AARC-approved CE is automatically accepted without further Board review. Source: Minn. Stat. §147C.25, Subd. 2

Is there a limit on self-study or online CE hours in Minnesota?

Minnesota does not impose a statutory cap on self-study or online CE formats. The only categorical cap is 8 combined hours per two-year period in management, risk management, personal growth, and educational techniques. Otherwise, approved CE content in any delivery format may be applied to the 24-hour requirement. Source: Minn. Stat. §147C.25, Subd. 7

Does Minnesota participate in the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact?

No. Minnesota has not enacted the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact (RCIC) as of June 2026. Compact privileges from other RCIC member states do not apply in Minnesota. Verify current RCIC membership status at respiratorycarecompact.org.