How to Get Your Ohio Respiratory Care License | RCP Requirements & Application
- Respiratory care graduates preparing to apply for an initial Ohio license
- Travel respiratory therapists evaluating what Ohio licensure requires before accepting an assignment
- Out-of-state respiratory therapists relocating to Ohio or seeking licensure by reciprocity
Ohio Respiratory Care Professional Licensing — At a Glance
| State License Required? | Yes — Ohio requires a license to practice respiratory care |
| Credential Name | Respiratory Care Professional (RCP) |
| Governing Body | State Medical Board of Ohio |
| NBRC Credential Required | RRT — applicants must pass both the TMC and CSE examinations required to earn the Registered Respiratory Therapist credential |
| Separate State Exam? | No separate Ohio examination — NBRC examinations only |
| Education Requirement | Completion of a board-approved respiratory care program — CoARC-accredited, requiring a minimum of an associate degree with a major in respiratory care |
| Application Fee | $75 for the Respiratory Care Professional application, plus a $3.50 transaction fee |
| Application Method | Online through the eLicense Ohio system |
| Processing Time | Not published — the Board advises allowing approximately 10 business days for initial application review; total licensing time varies depending on background check completion and document processing |
| Background Check | Yes — fingerprint-based Ohio BCI and FBI criminal records check required for all initial applications |
| Reciprocity Available? | Yes — a reciprocity pathway is available under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 4796 for qualifying out-of-state applicants |
| Limited Permits | Limited Permits (L1 and L2) are available for those practicing under the supervision of a respiratory care professional |
| Jurisprudence Exam? | No jurisprudence examination is required for initial licensure |
| Payment Methods | Credit card — Visa, MasterCard, or Discover |
| Interstate Compact | Ohio has not enacted the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact. Compact legislation has been introduced but is not in effect, and no compact privileges are available |
| Governing Statute | Ohio Revised Code Chapter 4761 and Ohio Administrative Code Chapter 4761 |
Ohio requires anyone practicing respiratory care to hold a license issued by the State Medical Board of Ohio. The credential is called the Respiratory Care Professional, or RCP, and it is governed under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 4761. The summary table above lists the credential, exam, education, fee, and background-check requirements in one place.
What stands out about Ohio is the credential standard. Some states accept the entry-level Certified Respiratory Therapist credential for licensure, but Ohio sets its bar at the registry level — see the table above for the specific NBRC examinations involved. Applicants apply online, complete a criminal records check, and submit their exam results before the Board issues the license.
What Makes Ohio Different
Two features distinguish Ohio for respiratory therapists. First, respiratory care is regulated by the State Medical Board of Ohio rather than a standalone respiratory care board — the former Ohio Respiratory Care Board was absorbed into the State Medical Board, and references to the old board in any rule or document now mean the State Medical Board. Second, Ohio is a registry-level state: it requires the higher of the two NBRC credentials for initial licensure rather than accepting the entry-level credential. For graduates deciding which NBRC examinations to sit for, that distinction matters before applying. The specific examinations are listed in the table above.
Interstate Compact and License Portability
Ohio has not enacted the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact (RCIC). Legislation has been introduced in the Ohio General Assembly but has not been signed into law, and no compact privileges are currently available for Ohio-based practice. Before relying on any compact portability, verify the current status of Ohio’s enactment directly with the State Medical Board of Ohio and the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact commission.
Ohio Respiratory Care Professional Requirements
To qualify for an initial RCP license, an applicant must meet the education, examination, and background-check requirements summarized in the table above. In practical terms, that means three things:
- Education: Complete a respiratory care educational program approved by the Board. Ohio’s rule requires CoARC accreditation and a minimum of an associate degree with a major in respiratory care. Source: OAC 4761-4-01.
- Examination: Pass the NBRC examinations required to earn the Registered Respiratory Therapist credential. The specific examinations are named in the table above. Ohio does not administer a separate state examination.
- Background check: Complete a fingerprint-based criminal records check through both the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the FBI. Results must be sent to the Board directly by the vendor.
Ohio Limited Respiratory Care Permits
Ohio issues two types of limited permits for individuals who have not yet completed the full RCP licensure pathway. Both permit types authorize supervised practice only — holders cannot practice independently.
| Permit | Who Qualifies | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| L1 | Students currently enrolled in (and in good standing in), or recent graduates of, a board-approved respiratory care educational program | Maximum 3 years from permit issuance; expires 1 year after graduation, or immediately upon withdrawal from the program |
| L2 | Individuals currently employed as respiratory care providers in Ohio who were also employed in that capacity in Ohio prior to March 14, 1989 | Renewable annually; requires proof of current employment and CE compliance |
L1 permit fee: $20 plus $3.50 transaction fee. L2 initial application fee: not listed separately on the Board’s fee schedule — contact the Board for current L2 fee information. Source: State Medical Board of Ohio.
How to Apply for an Ohio Respiratory Care License
Applications are submitted online through the eLicense Ohio system. The Board advises allowing approximately 10 business days for initial application review after submission — total licensing time varies depending on background check completion. The general process is:
- Create an account in the eLicense Ohio system and begin the Respiratory Care Professional application
- Complete the application in full and pay the application fee shown in the table above using an accepted credit card
- Submit your NBRC examination results demonstrating the credential required for Ohio licensure
- Complete the fingerprint-based Ohio BCI and FBI criminal records check, arranging for results to be sent directly to the Board by the vendor
- Upload any documents requested in the questions portion of the application, then submit and monitor your application status through eLicense
Application fees are non-refundable, and applicants must meet all eligibility requirements at the time the application is submitted.
- ☐ Graduate from a CoARC-accredited respiratory care program (minimum associate degree)
- ☐ Pass both NBRC examinations required to earn the RRT credential
- ☐ Initiate Ohio BCI and FBI fingerprint-based background checks — arrange for results to go directly to the Board
- ☐ Create an eLicense Ohio account at eLicense.ohio.gov
- ☐ Complete and submit the Respiratory Care Professional application
- ☐ Pay the application fee by Visa, MasterCard, or Discover (non-refundable)
- ☐ Monitor application status in eLicense and respond to any outstanding document requests
Ohio Respiratory Care Licensure by Reciprocity
Ohio offers a reciprocity pathway for qualifying out-of-state respiratory therapists under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 4796, effective December 29, 2023. Applicants may qualify through one of three tracks:
- Out-of-state license holders: Applicants who hold a substantially equivalent occupational license in another state, have held it for at least one year, and are in good standing in all jurisdictions where licensed.
- Private certification holders: Applicants who have held a qualifying private certification for at least two years in a state that does not issue a respiratory care license.
- Active practice without licensure: Applicants who have been actively engaged in the respiratory care profession in a state that does not issue an occupational license for respiratory care, or who have equivalent experience through service in the U.S. uniformed services.
For any reciprocity track, the Board may require additional training or examination of applicants who have not been engaged in active clinical practice within the two years before application. Applications are submitted through eLicense Ohio using the same application portal as new applicants. Source: State Medical Board of Ohio.
Practical Notes for Ohio Applicants
- Confirm your NBRC credential level before applying. Ohio is a registry-level state. If you hold only the entry-level NBRC credential, confirm what you need to complete for Ohio licensure before you start the application, since this is the requirement applicants most often misjudge.
- Start your background check early. The Board allows you to begin the criminal records check before submitting the application, and it holds results on file for a limited period. Starting early can prevent the background check from becoming the bottleneck.
- Limited permits bridge the gap before full licensure. If you are a recent graduate or still completing requirements, the L1 and L2 limited permits let you practice under supervision. Review whether a limited permit fits your timeline while your full application is pending.
- Travel respiratory therapists: Ohio is not a compact state. No compact privilege exists for Ohio-based practice. Build the standard licensure or reciprocity timeline into your assignment planning, and verify current compact enactment status with the Board before assuming any portability.
Relevant Statutes and Rules
- Ohio Revised Code Chapter 4761 — Respiratory Care (licensure, limited permits, renewal, and discipline)
- Ohio Administrative Code 4761-4-01 — Approval of Educational Programs (CoARC accreditation and associate-degree requirement)
Related Pages
- Ohio Respiratory Care License Renewal — Requirements and CE
- Respiratory Care Licensing by State — Complete Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a license to practice respiratory care in Ohio?
Yes. Ohio requires a license issued by the State Medical Board of Ohio to practice respiratory care. The credential is the Respiratory Care Professional license, governed under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 4761. Source: State Medical Board of Ohio.
Does Ohio require the CRT or the RRT credential?
Ohio requires the registry-level credential for initial licensure. An applicant for an initial Respiratory Care Professional license must have passed both the TMC and CSE examinations required to earn the Registered Respiratory Therapist credential from the National Board for Respiratory Care. Source: State Medical Board of Ohio.
What education do I need for an Ohio respiratory care license?
You must complete a respiratory care educational program approved by the Board. Ohio’s rule requires the program to be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care and to require a minimum of an associate degree with a major in respiratory care. Source: OAC 4761-4-01.
How much does the Ohio respiratory care application cost?
The Respiratory Care Professional application fee is $75, plus a $3.50 transaction fee, paid by credit card through eLicense Ohio. Fees are non-refundable. Verify the current fee with the Board before submitting payment. Source: State Medical Board of Ohio.
Is a background check required?
Yes. All initial applications require a fingerprint-based criminal records check through both the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the FBI, with results sent to the Board directly by the vendor. Source: State Medical Board of Ohio.
Is Ohio part of the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact?
No. Ohio has not enacted the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact. Legislation has been introduced but is not in effect, and no compact privileges are available. Verify current status with the State Medical Board of Ohio and the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact commission before relying on compact portability.
Can I get an Ohio license if I am already licensed in another state?
Yes. Ohio offers a reciprocity pathway under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 4796 for out-of-state applicants who hold a substantially equivalent license in good standing, hold a qualifying private certification, or have active practice experience. See the Licensure by Reciprocity section above for the three qualifying tracks. Source: State Medical Board of Ohio.