Colorado Licensed Respiratory Therapist License Renewal
- Colorado-licensed respiratory therapists approaching their biennial August 31 renewal date
- Travel respiratory therapists holding a Colorado license who need to renew while on assignment elsewhere
- Licensed Respiratory Therapists whose Colorado license has lapsed and who need to understand reinstatement requirements
- RTs who want to understand why Colorado renewal is simpler than most other states
Colorado Licensed Respiratory Therapist Renewal — At a Glance
| Renewal Cycle | Every 2 years (biennial) |
| Renewal Fee | No fee required — per DORA fee lookup system (RTL – Respiratory Therapist – All Statuses: No Fee Required); verify at DPO portal before renewing |
| License Expiration | August 31 of even-numbered years (statewide fixed date) |
| Renewal Window Opens | Approximately 4–5 weeks before August 31 |
| Late Renewal Period | A late renewal period after August 31 may be available with a late fee — verify current terms at DPO portal |
| CE Hours Required | 0 hours — Colorado requires no continuing education for standard active license renewal |
| Mandatory CE Topics | None — no CE required for renewal of an active license |
| Lapsed License Reinstatement | Two tiers: expired 2–5 years (CE, re-exam, or active licensure elsewhere); expired more than 5 years (supervised practice, re-exam, or active licensure elsewhere) — per 4 CCR 741-1.5 |
| Renewal Method | Online only — DPO Online Services portal |
| Payment Methods | Accepted payment methods displayed within DPO Online Services at time of renewal |
| Renewal Contact | 303-894-7800 | dora_dpo_licensing@state.co.us | dora_respiratoryboard@state.co.us |
Colorado respiratory therapy licenses expire on a single statewide fixed date — August 31 of even-numbered years — rather than on each licensee’s individual birthday. This means every active Colorado Licensed Respiratory Therapist renews on the same cycle, and the renewal window opens approximately four to five weeks before that date each even year. The renewal is completed entirely online through DPO Online Services.
The most striking feature of Colorado renewal is what it doesn’t require: continuing education. For a standard active license renewal, Colorado mandates zero CE hours. This places Colorado among a small group of states where renewal is essentially administrative — log in, pay the fee, and you’re done. The absence of a CE requirement does not mean practitioners don’t need CE for other purposes; employer requirements and NBRC credential maintenance both operate independently of the state renewal, and many Colorado RTs continue earning CE to maintain their NBRC credentials even though the state doesn’t require it.
Colorado Respiratory Therapy Renewal Requirements
Continuing Education — Zero Hours Required
Colorado does not require any continuing education hours for the standard biennial renewal of an active Licensed Respiratory Therapist license. The full table of contents of 4 CCR 741-1 (the Colorado Respiratory Therapy Rules and Regulations) contains no CE or continuing competency rule section — confirming the absence of a CE requirement at the regulatory level, not merely its absence from public-facing pages. This applies only to active license renewal; reinstatement after lapse has separate CE requirements. Source: 4 CCR 741-1 — Table of Contents
NBRC Credential Maintenance Is Separate
The NBRC requires credential holders to complete 30 hours of Continuing Respiratory Care Education (CRCE) every five years to maintain the CRT or RRT credential. This NBRC requirement operates entirely independently of the Colorado state renewal — failing to maintain NBRC credentials does not by itself trigger a Colorado licensing issue, and meeting the state renewal requirement does not satisfy the NBRC’s own maintenance schedule. Many employers require active NBRC credentials as a condition of employment, so maintaining NBRC credentials remains practically important even though the state doesn’t require it at renewal.
Renewal Fees
The Colorado DORA fee lookup system lists “RTL – Respiratory Therapist – All Statuses: No Fee Required.” This applies across all license statuses per the official DORA fee schedule as of June 2026. This is unusual relative to most states — verify the current fee at the DPO Online Services portal at the time of your renewal to confirm no payment is required. Source: Colorado DPO Respiratory Therapy Applications
How to Renew Your Colorado Licensed Respiratory Therapist License
Renewal is completed entirely online through DPO Online Services. Colorado does not accept paper renewal applications.
- Log in to DPO Online Services using your existing account credentials — renewals become available approximately 4–5 weeks before August 31
- Navigate to your license renewal — your expiration date is visible in your DPO account
- Complete any required renewal questions and disclosures
- Pay the renewal fee via credit card or e-check — fee amount is displayed in the portal
- Submit — keep your renewal confirmation for your records
DPO communicates primarily via email. Keep your email address current in your DPO account to receive renewal notices and any communications about your license.
Lapsed License Reinstatement
Colorado’s reinstatement rules under 4 CCR 741-1.5 distinguish between two tiers of lapsed licenses based on how long the license has been expired.
Expired 2 to 5 Years
If your Colorado license has been expired for more than two years but less than five years, you must demonstrate competency to practice by satisfying one of the following: completing 30 hours of CE related to respiratory therapy practice within the two years immediately before your reinstatement application (must meet Director approval); verifying active licensure in good standing in another state with proof of active practice for two of the previous five years; or retaking and passing the National Examination within two years before your reinstatement application. Source: 4 CCR 741-1.5
Expired More Than 5 Years
If your license has been expired for more than five years, the competency bar is higher. Options include: verifying active licensure in good standing in another state with proof of active practice for two of the previous five years; completing supervised practice for no less than six months under terms established by the Director; or retaking and passing the National Examination within two years before your reinstatement application. Contact DPO directly before attempting to reinstate a license expired more than five years. Source: 4 CCR 741-1.5
Practical Notes for Colorado Renewal
- Zero CE for renewal — but don’t let your NBRC credential lapse. The state requires nothing, but the NBRC requires 30 CRCE hours every five years to maintain CRT or RRT credentials. Many Colorado employers require an active NBRC credential. Know which deadlines you’re actually managing: August 31 even years for the state, and your NBRC maintenance cycle independently.
- August 31 is a hard date — mark it well in advance. Unlike birthday-based states, every Colorado RT faces the same deadline. The renewal window only opens 4–5 weeks before August 31, which is a short window. Set a calendar reminder in June of each even year to avoid missing the window.
- The DORA fee schedule shows no fee required. Colorado’s official DORA fee lookup lists “RTL – Respiratory Therapist – All Statuses: No Fee Required.” Combined with the zero CE requirement, renewal may be entirely free and administrative. Verify at DPO Online Services when you log in to renew.
- Lapsed licenses have escalating reinstatement requirements. If your license slips past the late renewal period, reinstatement is not just a matter of paying a fee. The 2–5 year tier requires CE documentation, re-examination, or proof of out-of-state practice. The 5-year-plus tier can require supervised practice. Renew on time — the cost of letting it lapse is substantial.
- Travel RTs: August 31 can sneak up mid-assignment. If you’re on a travel assignment in another state in August of an even year, your Colorado license is still expiring. Build the renewal into your assignment calendar so you’re not scrambling to log into DPO remotely at the last minute.
Related Pages
- Colorado Licensed 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 Colorado respiratory therapy license?
Colorado Licensed Respiratory Therapist licenses renew every two years. All licenses expire on August 31 of even-numbered years, regardless of when the license was originally issued. Source: Colorado DPO Respiratory Therapy Applications
Does Colorado require continuing education to renew a respiratory therapy license?
No. Colorado requires zero continuing education hours for the standard biennial renewal of an active Licensed Respiratory Therapist license. The full table of contents of 4 CCR 741-1 contains no CE or continuing competency rule section, confirming the absence of any CE requirement at the regulatory level. Note that NBRC credential maintenance is separate and operates on its own schedule independently of state renewal. Source: 4 CCR 741-1 Table of Contents
When does my Colorado respiratory therapy license expire?
All Colorado Licensed Respiratory Therapist licenses expire on August 31 of even-numbered years. This is a statewide fixed date — not tied to your birthday or the date you were originally licensed. You can confirm your specific expiration date by logging into your DPO Online Services account. Source: Colorado DPO Respiratory Therapy Applications
What happens if I miss the August 31 renewal deadline?
A late renewal period may be available after August 31 with an additional late fee. Verify current late renewal terms and fees directly through the DPO Online Services portal or by contacting DPO at 303-894-7800. If the license is allowed to fully lapse, reinstatement requirements under 4 CCR 741-1.5 apply and become significantly more demanding the longer the license has been expired. Source: Colorado DPO Respiratory Therapy Applications
What are the reinstatement requirements if my Colorado license expires?
Colorado’s reinstatement requirements under 4 CCR 741-1.5 depend on how long the license has been expired. For licenses expired more than two years but less than five years, you must demonstrate competency by completing 30 hours of CE within the prior two years, verifying active out-of-state licensure and practice, or retaking the National Examination. For licenses expired more than five years, the requirements are higher and may include supervised practice of no less than six months. Contact DPO before attempting reinstatement. Source: 4 CCR 741-1.5
How do I renew my Colorado respiratory therapy license?
Renewal is completed entirely online through DPO Online Services. Colorado does not accept paper renewal applications. The renewal window opens approximately 4–5 weeks before August 31. Log in, complete any required renewal disclosures, and pay the renewal fee. Source: Colorado DPO Respiratory Therapy Applications