Wisconsin Respiratory Therapist License Requirements
- Respiratory therapists applying for initial Wisconsin Respiratory Care Practitioner certification
- Out-of-state RTs seeking Wisconsin certification or a temporary certificate while their application is pending
- Travel respiratory therapists exploring Wisconsin compact privilege eligibility
- Practitioners who need to understand Wisconsin’s jurisprudence exam requirement
Wisconsin Respiratory Care Practitioner Certification — At a Glance
| Credential Name | Respiratory Care Practitioner (certification — not a license) |
| Governing Agency | Respiratory Care Practitioner Examining Council, Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) |
| NBRC Requirement | NBRC certification required; TMC (Therapist Multiple-Choice) examination specifically required; DSPS does not specify CRT vs. RRT level |
| State Exam | Yes — Wisconsin Statutes and Administrative Code examination (open-book, online, 85% passing score, untimed) |
| Available Pathways | Examination (new applicants); credential from another state; temporary certificate (out-of-state practitioners while application is pending) |
| Application Method | Online via LicensE portal (license.wi.gov) |
| Background Check | Criminal history disclosure required if applicable (Form 2252); no fingerprinting required for RCPs |
| Interstate Compact | RCIC member — Wisconsin enacted the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact December 9, 2025 (2025 Wis. Act 76; Wis. Stat. §448.9889); verify compact privilege status at respiratorycarecompact.org |
| Governing Law | Wis. Stat. Ch. 448; Wis. Admin. Code Med 20; Wis. Stat. §448.9889 (RCIC) |
Wisconsin certifies respiratory therapists as Respiratory Care Practitioners through the Respiratory Care Practitioner Examining Council within DSPS. Although Wisconsin uses the term “certification” rather than “license,” a state-issued credential is required to practice respiratory care in Wisconsin — the practical effect is the same as licensure in other states. Applications are submitted through the LicensE online portal, and the process requires both passage of the NBRC Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) Examination and a Wisconsin-specific jurisprudence exam.
Wisconsin is also a member of the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact (RCIC), having enacted the compact on December 9, 2025 under 2025 Wisconsin Act 76. Practitioners should verify that compact privileges are currently being issued before relying on compact eligibility — enactment and operational privilege availability are not always simultaneous. Check current status at respiratorycarecompact.org.
What Makes Wisconsin Different
Wisconsin’s most distinctive features are its jurisprudence examination requirement and its complete absence of a continuing education requirement. The Wisconsin Statutes and Administrative Code examination — an open-book, online, untimed exam with an 85% passing score — is required for all initial applicants seeking certification by examination or from another state. Compact privilege applicants are exempt from this exam requirement under 2025 Wisconsin Act 76.
The no-CE requirement is equally notable. Wisconsin does not require respiratory care practitioners to complete continuing education for biennial renewal. This is unusual compared to every other state in this RC series. Renewal at $75 requires only the fee and lawful-presence status confirmation — no CE attestation, no CE documentation.
Wisconsin also recently became an RCIC member (December 9, 2025), making it one of the most recently enacted compact states. For travel RTs, this means Wisconsin compact privilege may now be available through your home state if your home state is also an RCIC member. Verify current compact privilege availability at respiratorycarecompact.org, as the Commission is still in early implementation.
Wisconsin RCP Certification Requirements
NBRC TMC Examination
Wisconsin requires passage of the NBRC Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) Examination as the national credentialing component of certification. Wis. Admin. Code Med 20.04 references the TMC examination specifically. DSPS materials do not identify the Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE) or the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential as a certification requirement — the TMC alone, which leads to CRT eligibility, appears to satisfy Wisconsin’s NBRC requirement. Information on the TMC is available at nbrc.org. Source: Wisconsin DSPS — Respiratory Care Practitioner Exam Information
Wisconsin Statutes and Administrative Code Examination
All initial certification applicants must pass the Open-Book Online Wisconsin Statutes and Administrative Code for Respiratory Care Practitioner Examination. Key features: passing score is 85%; the exam is untimed (access window is 3 months); it is accessible at eptol.drl.wi.gov; and you may exit and return to the test at any time during the 3-month window. Do not click “Done” until you are ready to submit. Print and retain your score report. If you fail (below 85%), submit Form 2699 and a $75 retake fee to DSPS. After three failed attempts on either the TMC or the Wisconsin statutes exam, a remedial education plan must be submitted to the board for approval before rescheduling. Source: Wisconsin DSPS — Exam Information
Education
Applicants must have graduated from a school with a course of instruction in respiratory care approved by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) or the Joint Review Committee for Respiratory Care (JRCRC). Submit Form 1792 (Certificate of Professional Education) documenting your educational background. Source: Wisconsin DSPS — Respiratory Care Practitioner
Criminal History Disclosure
Criminal history disclosure is required if applicable. Form 2252 (Convictions and Pending Charges) must be submitted when applicable. Additionally, Form 2829 (Malpractice Suits or Claims) is required if applicable. Wisconsin does not require fingerprinting for respiratory care practitioner certification applicants. Source: Wisconsin DSPS — Respiratory Care Practitioner
Temporary Certificate (Out-of-State Practitioners)
A temporary certificate is available for individuals licensed in another state while a Wisconsin application for permanent certification is pending. Applicants must: be a graduate of an approved school and have passed the national certification examination; have passed the Wisconsin Statutes and Rules examination; and not be required to take the oral examination. Form 2871 (Temporary Certificate Request for Certified Respiratory Care Practitioner) is required. An applicant for permanent certification may apply for a temporary certificate at the same time but must pay both fees and meet the applicable conditions. Source: Wisconsin DSPS — Respiratory Care Practitioner
Respiratory Care Interstate Compact (RCIC)
Wisconsin enacted the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact on December 9, 2025 under 2025 Wisconsin Act 76, codified at Wis. Stat. §448.9889. Under the enacted legislation, qualified practitioners from other RCIC member states may be eligible to practice in Wisconsin under compact privilege rather than obtaining full Wisconsin certification. Under 2025 Wis. Act 76, compact privilege applicants in Wisconsin are not required to pass the Wisconsin Statutes and Rules examination — instead, they affirm that they have read and understand the applicable statutes and rules. Important: Practitioners should verify that compact privileges are currently being issued before relying on compact eligibility. Enactment and operational privilege issuance are not always simultaneous, and the Commission was formally established in April 2026 with rulemaking ongoing. Verify current compact privilege availability at respiratorycarecompact.org or contact DSPS at (608) 266-2112. Source: 2025 Wisconsin Act 76
How to Apply for Wisconsin RCP Certification
- Review the Credentialing Information sheet (Form 1790) from the DSPS Respiratory Care Practitioner page for current application requirements and fees
- Pass the NBRC TMC Examination — information at nbrc.org
- Pass the Wisconsin Statutes and Administrative Code Examination (85% passing score) at eptol.drl.wi.gov; retain your score report
- Complete the application online via license.wi.gov (LicensE portal)
- Submit Form 1792 (Certificate of Professional Education)
- Submit Form 2252 (Convictions and Pending Charges) if applicable
- Submit Form 2829 (Malpractice Suits or Claims) if applicable
- Pay the application fee (verify current fee at DSPS or via the LicensE portal at time of application)
Practical Notes
- Wisconsin issues a certification, not a license. The credential is called a Respiratory Care Practitioner certification under Wis. Stat. Ch. 448. The practical effect is the same as licensure in other states, but paperwork and credentialing forms in Wisconsin will say “certification” rather than “license.”
- The Wisconsin statutes exam is untimed and open-book — prepare but don’t panic. You have a 3-month window to complete it, can exit and return, and have access to all applicable statutes and code chapters during the exam. The 85% threshold is achievable if you take time to understand the relevant sections.
- Wisconsin joined the RCIC in December 2025 — compact privileges may be available. If you hold an active home-state RT license in another RCIC member state, you may be eligible for a Wisconsin compact privilege rather than full certification. This would also exempt you from the Wisconsin statutes exam (you affirm you’ve read and understand applicable rules instead). Check respiratorycarecompact.org for current member state list and privilege availability.
- Wisconsin currently has no CE requirement. Once certified, your biennial renewal requires only the $75 fee and lawful-presence status confirmation. Wisconsin does not currently require CE hours, attestation, or provider records for RCP renewal. This is one of very few states in this series without an RT CE requirement.
- Application fee is not published online. The DSPS profession page does not list an initial certification fee. Review Form 1790 (Credentialing Information) or contact DSPS at (608) 266-2112 before applying to confirm the current fee.
Relevant Statutes and Regulations
- Wisconsin DSPS — Respiratory Care Practitioner (primary source)
- Wisconsin DSPS — Exam Information
- Wis. Stat. Ch. 448 — Medical Practices (includes RCP provisions)
- 2025 Wisconsin Act 76 — Respiratory Care Interstate Compact enactment
Related Pages
- Wisconsin Respiratory Care Practitioner Certification Renewal Guide
- Respiratory Care Practitioner Licensing by State — Complete Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Wisconsin require a license or certification to practice respiratory care?
Wisconsin requires a certification as a Respiratory Care Practitioner — not a license. The distinction is terminological; practitioners must hold a valid DSPS certification to practice respiratory care in Wisconsin. The credential is issued under Wis. Stat. Ch. 448 by the Respiratory Care Practitioner Examining Council. Source: Wisconsin DSPS — Respiratory Care Practitioner
What exams are required for Wisconsin RCP certification?
Wisconsin requires two examinations: the NBRC Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) Examination, and the Wisconsin Statutes and Administrative Code for Respiratory Care Practitioner Examination (open-book, online, 85% passing score). An oral examination may also be required in certain cases under Med 20.04(4). Compact privilege applicants are exempt from the Wisconsin Statutes exam under 2025 Wis. Act 76. Source: Wisconsin DSPS — Exam Information
Does Wisconsin participate in the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact?
Yes. Wisconsin enacted the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact on December 9, 2025 (2025 Wisconsin Act 76, Wis. Stat. §448.9889). Practitioners from other RCIC member states may be eligible for compact privileges in Wisconsin. Verify current compact privilege availability at respiratorycarecompact.org, as the Commission is in early implementation following its formal establishment in April 2026. Source: 2025 Wisconsin Act 76
Does Wisconsin require continuing education for RCP renewal?
No. Wisconsin does not require continuing education for Respiratory Care Practitioner certification renewal. Renewal requires only the biennial renewal fee and lawful-presence status confirmation. Source: Wisconsin DSPS — Respiratory Care Practitioner
Is there a temporary certificate available in Wisconsin?
Yes. A temporary certificate is available for individuals currently certified in another state while a Wisconsin application for permanent certification is pending. The applicant must have passed the NBRC examination and the Wisconsin Statutes exam, and must not require an oral examination. Form 2871 is required. The applicant may apply for the temporary certificate simultaneously with the permanent certification application but must pay both fees. Source: Wisconsin DSPS — Respiratory Care Practitioner