Oregon Respiratory Therapist License Renewal

Oregon Respiratory Therapist licenses renew annually — every year, not every two years. The renewal fee is $90 online or $100 by paper. CE requirements are 7 hours per licensure year, per OAR 331-720-0010. Oregon also requires 1 hour of cultural competency continuing education (CCCE) every other renewal cycle — this is a mandatory topic requirement that applies in addition to the 7 standard CE hours.

Oregon’s CE system does not require pre-approval of providers, which gives licensees significant flexibility in selecting CE. The HLO explicitly states that pre-approval is optional — CE must relate to respiratory care practice, but there is no mandatory provider list. One firm exclusion applies: CPR, BLS, ACLS, PALS, and NRP certification or recertification courses have not received CE credit for Oregon respiratory therapists since January 1, 2014.

Oregon Respiratory Therapist CE Requirements

Seven Hours Per Licensure Year

Oregon requires a minimum of seven (7) continuing education hours every licensure year, per OAR 331-720-0010. Because Oregon licenses renew annually, this is a recurring annual obligation — not a biennial one. CE hours must pertain to respiratory care practice. Source: Oregon HLO — Respiratory Therapy Continuing Education; OAR 331-720-0010

Cultural Competency CE — Every Other Renewal

In addition to the 7 standard CE hours, Oregon requires one (1) hour of continuing education in cultural competency (CCCE) every other time the license is subject to renewal. This is a separate, mandatory requirement per OAR 331-720-0015. The Oregon Health Authority Equity and Inclusion Division offers approved CCCE courses on their CCCE web page. Source: Oregon HLO — Respiratory Therapy Continuing Education; OAR 331-720-0015

CE Exclusions — CPR and Resuscitation Courses

As of January 1, 2014, CE credits are no longer given for CPR, BLS, ACLS, PALS, or NRP certification or recertification courses for respiratory therapists. This exclusion applies regardless of the provider — these courses count toward employer requirements but not toward the Oregon CE requirement. Source: Oregon HLO — Respiratory Therapy Continuing Education

CE Pre-Approval — Optional

The Oregon HLO does not require CE courses to be pre-approved. The pre-approval request process exists and is available to associations, businesses, organizations, and instructors who want to offer pre-approved CE — but it is optional. There is no mandatory list of approved providers. CE must relate to respiratory care practice. To request optional pre-approval, complete the HLO CEU Pre-Approval Request Form and email it to hlo.info@odhsoha.oregon.gov. Source: Oregon HLO — Respiratory Therapy Continuing Education

CE Documentation and Audit

Licensees must attest to CE compliance on the renewal application. Documentation supporting CE compliance must be maintained by the licensee for a period of two years following license renewal and provided to HLO upon request. For current auditing and sanction information, see OAR 331-720-0020. Source: Oregon HLO — Respiratory Therapy Continuing Education; OAR 331-720-0020

How to Renew Your Oregon Respiratory Therapist License

1. Complete your 7 CE hours for the licensure year; if this is an alternate renewal year, also complete your 1-hour cultural competency CE requirement
2. Log in to the HLO Renew License portal to complete online renewal ($90 fee); or submit a paper renewal application ($100 fee)
3. Attest to CE completion on the renewal application
4. Retain all CE documentation for two years after the renewal date

Lapsed and Expired Licenses

Per OAR 331-715-0010, an Oregon RT license may be inactive for up to three years. During this period, delinquency fees of $50 per year apply for each year the license remains inactive. After three years of inactivity, the license is expired and the licensee must reapply for licensure and meet the current application requirements — including an updated background check. Contact HLO at (503) 378-8667 to confirm current requirements before submitting. Source: Oregon HLO — Respiratory Therapist Fees; OAR 331-715-0010

Practical Notes for Oregon RT Renewal

• Annual renewal means 7 CE hours every year — not every two years. Oregon uses an annual renewal cycle, which is less common than the biennial cycle used by many states. If you’re used to tracking CE on a 2-year schedule, reset that expectation for Oregon — you need 7 qualifying hours every year.
• Cultural competency CE alternates — track which year you’re in. The 1-hour CCCE requirement applies every other renewal, not every renewal. If you can’t remember which year is your CCCE year, check with HLO or look at your previous renewal attestation.
• BLS/ACLS/PALS don’t count — and haven’t since 2014. This has been in effect for over 10 years. Employer-required certification courses fill your badge tracker but not your Oregon CE requirement. Your 7 qualifying CE hours must come from respiratory care content.
• No required provider list means maximum flexibility. Unlike many states, Oregon doesn’t require CE from a pre-approved list. If it relates to respiratory care practice, it generally qualifies. AARC-approved CE works well here.
• Keep two years of CE records. You may be audited up to two years after renewal. Digital copies organized by licensure year are the practical approach.
• Travel RTs: Oregon renews every year — budget for $90/year. If you hold an Oregon license for multiple travel seasons, plan for annual renewal at $90 online to keep it current between assignments.

Related Pages

• Oregon Respiratory Therapist Initial Licensing — RRT Requirement and Application
• Respiratory Care Practitioner Licensing by State — Complete Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

How often do I need to renew my Oregon respiratory therapist license?

Oregon respiratory therapist licenses renew annually — every year. The renewal fee is $90 online or $100 by paper. This is an annual obligation, unlike most states that renew biennially. Source: Oregon HLO — Respiratory Therapist Fees

How many CE hours are required to renew an Oregon respiratory therapist license?

Oregon requires 7 continuing education hours per licensure year, per OAR 331-720-0010. Because Oregon licenses renew annually, this is an annual CE requirement. In addition, 1 hour of cultural competency CE is required every other renewal cycle per OAR 331-720-0015. Source: Oregon HLO — Respiratory Therapy Continuing Education

What is the cultural competency CE requirement?

Oregon requires 1 hour of continuing education in cultural competency (CCCE) every other time the license is subject to renewal, per OAR 331-720-0015. This is a mandatory topic requirement in addition to the 7 standard CE hours. The OHA Equity and Inclusion Division offers approved CCCE courses. Source: Oregon HLO — Respiratory Therapy Continuing Education

Do BLS, ACLS, PALS, or NRP count toward Oregon respiratory therapy CE?

No. As of January 1, 2014, CE credits are no longer given for CPR, BLS, ACLS, PALS, or NRP certification or recertification courses for Oregon respiratory therapists. This exclusion applies regardless of provider — these courses satisfy employer certification requirements but do not count toward the Oregon annual CE requirement. Source: Oregon HLO — Respiratory Therapy Continuing Education

How long do I need to keep CE records?

Oregon requires licensees to retain CE documentation for two years after license renewal. Documentation must be available to HLO upon request. Licensees attest to CE completion at the time of renewal; certificates are not submitted unless you are selected for an audit. Source: Oregon HLO — Respiratory Therapy Continuing Education; OAR 331-720-0020

Does Oregon require CE from pre-approved providers?

No. The Oregon HLO does not require CE pre-approval. CE must relate to respiratory care practice, but there is no mandatory list of approved providers. Pre-approval is available optionally for providers who want it but is not required. Source: Oregon HLO — Respiratory Therapy Continuing Education

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. Verify current RCIC status at respiratorycarecompact.org.