Massachusetts Respiratory Therapist License Renewal

Massachusetts Respiratory Therapist licenses expire on a single statewide fixed date — May 31 of every even-numbered year. Every licensed Massachusetts RT faces the same deadline, regardless of when their license was originally issued. The renewal is completed online through the Massachusetts Health Professions Licensing Portal, and the renewal fee is $110. A late fee of $57 applies if the renewal is received after May 31; the Board’s renewal page makes clear there is no grace period — the late fee attaches at expiration.

Massachusetts requires 20 CEUs for renewal pursuant to 261 CMR Section 5.00. CE may be completed online or in-person, and no specific topic area is mandated. One notable exclusion: BLS (Basic Life Support/CPR) recertification is explicitly excluded by regulation — it does not receive CE credit. Respiratory therapists who obtained initial Massachusetts licensure by examination are exempt from CE for their first renewal cycle; this exemption does not apply to licensees who obtained licensure by reciprocity or credential.

Massachusetts Respiratory Therapist CE Requirements

The Board requires 20 CEUs completed within the biennium prior to renewal, governed by 261 CMR Section 5.00. The Mass.gov renewal page confirms that CEUs may be taken via multiple mechanisms — online or in-person — and does not restrict the delivery format provided courses otherwise qualify.

Approved CE Categories

Per 261 CMR 5.04, the following types of activities qualify as continuing education for Massachusetts respiratory therapist renewal:

• AARC or MSRC-approved activities — per 261 CMR 5.02(7), contact hours approved by the AARC or the Massachusetts Society for Respiratory Care (MSRC) qualify; the Board accepts a CRCE transcript issued by the AARC as proof
• Academic courses — offered by an accredited post-secondary institution for academic credit, relevant to respiratory care or professional growth
• Internet courses — developed by a professional group, web or computer-based, with active learner response and a completion test
• Recredentialing examinations — NBRC examinations qualifying for CE credit (see below for hour limits)
• Planned and supervised clinical experience — beyond basic preparation, with a program of study and qualified supervision
• Seminars/workshops — acceptable CE not fitting the above categories

Source: 261 CMR 5.04 — Qualifying CE Activities or Programs

BLS Excluded

Per 261 CMR 5.04(2)(b), certification and/or re-certification in Basic Life Support (CPR) is explicitly excluded from qualifying as continuing education under Massachusetts respiratory care regulations. BLS hours cannot substitute for qualifying CE credits regardless of employer requirements. Source: 261 CMR 5.04(2)(b)

First Renewal CE Exemption

Per 261 CMR 5.02(2)(a), a Licensed Respiratory Therapist who obtains licensure by examination (pursuant to 261 CMR 3.03) is exempt from the 20-hour CE requirement during the first license renewal cycle. This exemption applies to the examination pathway only — licensees who obtained licensure by reciprocity or credential are not covered by this exemption. CE requirements begin with the second renewal cycle for examination-pathway licensees. Source: 261 CMR 5.02(2)(a)

Recredentialing Exam CE Credit

Per 261 CMR 5.02(5) and 5.04(3)(c), up to four contact hours per renewal period may be satisfied through NBRC recredentialing examinations. Specific values per exam: NBRC written examination = 2 hours; Clinical Simulation examination = 4 hours; Perinatal/Pediatric Specialty examination = 2 hours. Note: RRTs may not apply the CRT recredentialing examination toward their CE requirement. CEUs required by a Consent Agreement or Board Order may not be used to satisfy the renewal CE requirement. Source: 261 CMR 5.02(5) and 5.04(3)(c)

How to Renew Your Massachusetts Respiratory Therapist License

1. Confirm you have completed your 20 CEUs for the biennium before the May 31 even-year deadline — renewal requires attestation of CE completion at the time of renewal
2. Log in to the Massachusetts Health Professions Licensing Portal using your SSN and account credentials; if you do not have an account, you may search for your records using your date of birth and SSN
3. Complete the online renewal, including CE attestation
4. Pay the $110 renewal fee via credit card
5. Submit before May 31 to avoid the $57 late fee

If you do not receive a renewal notice, contact the Board at (800) 414-0168 — your SSN and your Online Licensing credentials are required to renew, and the expiration deadline does not change if you miss a notice.

Practical Notes for Massachusetts RT Renewal

• May 31 even years — every Massachusetts RT has the same deadline. Unlike birthday-based states, the renewal date is the same for everyone. Put May 31 of every even year in your calendar as a firm deadline, not just a reminder. The Board sends renewal notices, but missing a notice doesn’t extend the deadline.
• No grace period means no cushion. The Board’s renewal page explicitly states that renewals received beyond the expiration date are subject to the late fee. There is no buffer. If you miss May 31, you owe $167 total ($110 + $57) to renew.
• BLS doesn’t count — plan accordingly. Many Massachusetts hospitals require annual BLS recertification, but that time doesn’t reduce your 20-CEU obligation. Your CE plan should have 20 qualifying hours separate from BLS.
• Examination-pathway licensees: your first renewal is CE-free. If you obtained your Massachusetts license by examination, you are exempt from the 20-hour CE requirement on your first renewal cycle per 261 CMR 5.02(2)(a). Licensees who obtained licensure by reciprocity or credential do not get this exemption. Either way, use the first cycle to build your CE tracking routine.
• Travel RTs: May 31 can sneak up mid-assignment. If you are on a travel contract in another state in May of an even year, your Massachusetts license is still expiring. Renew online before leaving for a long out-of-state assignment during the spring of even years.

Related Pages

• Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts respiratory therapist license?

Massachusetts respiratory therapist licenses renew every two years (biennial). All licenses expire on May 31 of every even-numbered year — this is a statewide fixed date, not tied to your birthday or your license issue date. Source: Mass.gov — Renew your respiratory therapist license

What is the renewal fee for a Massachusetts respiratory therapist license?

The standard biennial renewal fee is $110. A late renewal fee of $57 applies in addition to the $110 if the renewal is received after the May 31 expiration date. Returned checks incur a $23 handling charge. Source: Mass.gov — Renew your respiratory therapist license

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

Massachusetts requires 20 contact hours of continuing education per biennial renewal cycle per 261 CMR 5.02(1). CE may be taken online or in-person through qualifying activities including AARC/MSRC-approved programs, academic courses, internet courses, recredentialing examinations (up to 4 hours), planned clinical experience, and seminars/workshops. BLS/CPR recertification is explicitly excluded. CEUs may not be carried over from one renewal cycle to the next. Licensees who obtained initial licensure by examination are exempt from CE for the first renewal cycle only. Source: 261 CMR 5.02 and 5.04

When does my Massachusetts respiratory therapist license expire?

All Massachusetts respiratory therapist licenses expire on May 31 of every even-numbered year. This is a statewide fixed date — not your birthday or the anniversary of your licensure. Source: Mass.gov — Renew your respiratory therapist license

Is there a grace period after the May 31 renewal deadline?

No grace period was identified in the Board’s published renewal materials. The renewal page states that renewals received beyond the license expiration date are subject to an additional late fee of $57, and practice after May 31 without a current license is not permitted. Contact the Board at (800) 414-0168 to confirm current late renewal procedures if you have missed the deadline. Source: Mass.gov — Renew your respiratory therapist license

Does Massachusetts participate in the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact?

No. Massachusetts has not enacted the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact (RCIC). Compact privileges from other member states do not extend to Massachusetts. Verify current RCIC membership at respiratorycarecompact.org.