Oregon Respiratory Therapist License Requirements
- Respiratory therapists applying for initial Oregon licensure — including CRT-credentialed practitioners who need to understand Oregon’s RRT requirement
- Out-of-state RTs seeking Oregon licensure
- Travel respiratory therapists planning Oregon assignments
- Respiratory therapy graduates who have completed all education requirements and are awaiting passage of the NBRC qualifying examination
- Practitioners who need to understand Oregon’s Laws and Rules exam requirement
Oregon Respiratory Therapist License — At a Glance
| Credential Name | Respiratory Therapist |
| Governing Agency | Respiratory Therapist and Polysomnographic Technologist Licensing Board, Oregon Health Authority Health Licensing Office (HLO) |
| NBRC Requirement | RRT required — Oregon requires an active credential as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) through NBRC; CRT is not sufficient for Oregon licensure |
| State Exam | Yes — Oregon Laws and Administrative Rules examination required (must pass within 2 years before application date) |
| Application Fee | $200 total ($100 application fee + $100 license fee) |
| Temporary License | Available for graduates awaiting exam — valid 6 months, non-renewable; $150 total fee |
| Background Check | Fingerprint-based national criminal background check required (conducted through Oregon State Police via Fieldprint Inc.) |
| Processing Time | Not published — actual timeline varies based on background check completion and receipt of required documents from NBRC and institution |
| Education | AMA/JRCRTE-approved respiratory care program (CoARC or equivalent); high school diploma also required |
| Interstate Compact | None — Oregon has not enacted the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact; verify at respiratorycarecompact.org |
| Governing Law | ORS 688.800–688.840, ORS 688.995; OAR Chapter 331 Divisions 705–740 |
Oregon licenses respiratory therapists through the Respiratory Therapist and Polysomnographic Technologist Licensing Board within the Oregon Health Authority Health Licensing Office (HLO). Oregon stands out in the RC dataset for two requirements that most other states don’t impose: an RRT credential is required (CRT alone is not sufficient), and applicants must pass an Oregon-specific Laws and Administrative Rules examination before applying. Both requirements must be met before the Board will issue an Oregon Respiratory Therapist license.
The RRT requirement is confirmed verbatim on the HLO licensing page: applicants must “submit satisfactory evidence of having an active credential through the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT).” If you currently hold only a CRT credential, you must upgrade to RRT before applying for an Oregon license.
What Makes Oregon Different
Oregon is one of the few states that explicitly requires applicants to hold an active Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential through NBRC rather than accepting the CRT credential alone. Every other state reviewed in this RC series either accepts both CRT and RRT, or does not specify the credential level. For CRT-credentialed practitioners looking to take a travel assignment in Oregon, this is the primary barrier — you cannot practice in Oregon on a CRT credential alone unless you were licensed in Oregon prior to January 1, 2018. The upgrade to RRT through NBRC is a separate process from the Oregon licensing application.
Oregon also requires a state jurisprudence examination — the Oregon Laws and Administrative Rules examination, administered online through Workday Oregon. This exam must be passed within two years before the date of application; if your certificate is older than two years, you’ll need to retake it. The exam covers Board-specific regulations and statutes applicable to respiratory therapy practice in Oregon.
Oregon licenses renew annually — not biennially — at a relatively low fee of $90 online or $100 by paper. CE is 7 hours per year, with cultural competency CE required every other renewal cycle.
Oregon Respiratory Therapist Licensure Requirements
RRT Credential — Required
Oregon requires an active Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential from the National Board for Respiratory Care as a condition of licensure. The HLO licensing page states verbatim: “Submit satisfactory evidence of having an active credential through the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT).” Proof must be submitted directly to the HLO from NBRC — applicant-submitted copies are not accepted. The CRT credential alone does not satisfy Oregon’s requirement for new applicants. Exception: Per OAR 331-710-0010(8), an individual licensed in Oregon prior to January 1, 2018, who obtained licensure with a CRT credential, is not required to obtain the RRT credential. This exception applies only to those who were already licensed in Oregon before that date. Source: Oregon HLO — Respiratory Therapist Licensing Information; OAR 331-710-0010
Oregon Laws and Administrative Rules Examination
Oregon requires passage of the Board-approved Respiratory Therapist Oregon Laws and Administrative Rules examination. This exam must be passed within two years before the date of application. It is administered online through Workday Oregon. The Respiratory Therapy Oregon Laws and Rules Examination Information Bulletin provides content details and study references. A certificate of completion from Workday Oregon must be submitted to the HLO with the licensure application. Source: Oregon HLO — Respiratory Therapist Licensing Information
Education
Applicants must have completed a respiratory care education program approved by the American Medical Association in collaboration with the Joint Review Committee for Respiratory Therapy Education, or their successors or equivalent organizations, as approved by the Board. Most modern respiratory therapy programs accredited by CoARC satisfy Oregon’s education requirement, as CoARC serves as the successor accrediting organization to JRCRTE. Applicants must also submit proof of a high school diploma or equivalent. Source: Oregon HLO — Respiratory Therapist Licensing Information
Criminal Background Check
A fingerprint-based national criminal background check is required for all applicants, including temporary licensure applicants. Background check instructions are provided as part of the application process. Source: Oregon HLO — Respiratory Therapist Licensing Information
Identity Documentation
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and provide official documentation confirming date of birth. Acceptable documents include a copy of a birth certificate, driver’s license, passport, school identification, military identification, or other government-issued identification. Source: Oregon HLO — Respiratory Therapist Licensing Information
Temporary License
Oregon issues a temporary Respiratory Therapist license for graduates who have completed all work for a respiratory care degree but have not yet passed the NBRC qualifying examination. Key rules: the temporary license is valid for six months and may not be renewed; the holder must practice under supervision, defined as the required presence of a licensed respiratory therapist or qualified Medical Director within the work location at the same time as the temporary licensee; and the holder must notify HLO within 10 calendar days of any change in employment status or supervisor. The college or university must send verification of degree completion directly to HLO — the applicant cannot submit it. Source: Oregon HLO — Respiratory Therapist Licensing Information
How to Apply for an Oregon Respiratory Therapist License
- Obtain RRT credential from NBRC if you do not already hold it — this must be completed before applying
- Pass the Oregon Laws and Administrative Rules examination through Workday Oregon (accessed via the HLO licensing page) and obtain your certificate of completion; the certificate must be dated within two years of your application date
- Complete the application through the HLO online system and pay the $200 total fee ($100 application + $100 license)
- Submit fingerprint-based national criminal background check as directed
- Arrange for NBRC to send your RRT credential verification directly to HLO
- Provide official date-of-birth documentation (birth certificate, driver’s license, passport, or government ID)
- Submit proof of high school diploma or equivalent
- Submit your Workday Oregon certificate of completion for the Laws and Rules examination
Practical Notes
- CRT holders cannot practice in Oregon. Oregon is explicit: the RRT credential is required. If you hold only a CRT, you must complete the NBRC RRT pathway before applying for an Oregon license. Plan this upgrade well in advance of any Oregon assignment.
- The Laws and Rules exam has a 2-year window. Your Workday Oregon certificate must be dated within two years of your application date. If you passed the exam two years ago for a different opportunity that didn’t pan out, check your certificate date before assuming it’s still valid.
- Temporary license is truly temporary — 6 months, non-renewable. If you accept an Oregon assignment on a temporary license and haven’t passed the RRT by the 6-month mark, your authorization to practice ends. There is no extension mechanism.
- No compact means a full Oregon license for every assignment. Oregon is not in the RCIC. Every Oregon assignment requires a full Oregon Respiratory Therapist license with RRT credential verification.
- NBRC sends verification directly — not you. Proof of your RRT credential must come from NBRC to HLO directly. Build this step into your timeline early, as NBRC processing adds time to the overall application clock.
Relevant Statutes and Regulations
- Oregon HLO — Respiratory Therapist Licensing Information (primary source)
- Oregon HLO — Respiratory Therapist Laws and Rules
- ORS Chapter 688 — Respiratory Care Practitioners
Related Pages
- Oregon Respiratory Therapist License Renewal Guide
- Respiratory Care Practitioner Licensing by State — Complete Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an Oregon license to practice respiratory therapy in Oregon?
Yes. Oregon requires licensure as a Respiratory Therapist to practice respiratory care. The license is issued by the Health Licensing Office through the Respiratory Therapist and Polysomnographic Technologist Licensing Board. Source: Oregon HLO — Respiratory Therapist Licensing Information
Does Oregon require CRT or RRT for licensure?
Oregon requires the RRT (Registered Respiratory Therapist) credential. The HLO licensing page states that applicants must submit evidence of an active RRT credential through NBRC. The CRT credential alone does not satisfy Oregon’s licensure requirement. Proof must be submitted directly from NBRC to HLO. Source: Oregon HLO — Respiratory Therapist Licensing Information
Is there a jurisprudence or state exam required for Oregon licensure?
Yes. Oregon requires passage of the Respiratory Therapist Oregon Laws and Administrative Rules examination, administered online through Workday Oregon. The certificate must be dated within two years before the application date. This is in addition to the NBRC RRT credential requirement. Source: Oregon HLO — Respiratory Therapist Licensing Information
What is the application fee for an Oregon respiratory therapist license?
The total initial license fee is $200 ($100 application fee plus $100 license fee). The temporary license total is $150 ($100 application plus $50 issuance). Source: Oregon HLO — Respiratory Therapist Fees
Can I get an Oregon respiratory therapist license with only a CRT credential?
No — with one exception. Oregon requires an active RRT credential for new applicants. If you currently hold only a CRT credential, you must first obtain the RRT through NBRC before Oregon licensure can be issued. The one exception: per OAR 331-710-0010(8), individuals who were licensed in Oregon prior to January 1, 2018 using a CRT credential are not required to obtain the RRT. This grandfathering provision applies only to those already Oregon-licensed before that date. Source: Oregon HLO — Respiratory Therapist Licensing Information; OAR 331-710-0010(8)
Does Oregon participate in the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact?
Oregon has not enacted the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact (RCIC) as of June 2026. Compact privileges from other RCIC member states do not apply in Oregon. A full Oregon license — with RRT credential — is required to practice here. Verify current RCIC status at respiratorycarecompact.org.
Is there a temporary license available in Oregon?
Yes. Oregon issues a temporary Respiratory Therapist license for graduates who have completed degree requirements but have not yet passed the NBRC qualifying examination. The temporary license is valid for six months and cannot be renewed. Holders must practice under direct supervision of a licensed respiratory therapist or qualified Medical Director who is present in the same work location. Source: Oregon HLO — Respiratory Therapist Licensing Information