Virginia Respiratory Therapist License Renewal
- Virginia-licensed respiratory therapists approaching their biennial renewal in their birth month
- Travel RTs holding a Virginia license who need to renew while working in another state
- Licensees whose Virginia license has lapsed and who need to understand reinstatement requirements
- Newly licensed Virginia RTs planning their CE strategy for their first renewal cycle
Virginia Respiratory Therapist License Renewal — At a Glance
| Renewal Cycle | Every 2 years (biennial) |
| License Expiration | Birth month, odd-numbered years (e.g., if born in March, expires March of each odd year) |
| Renewal Fee | $135 (active); $70 (inactive) — per 18VAC85-40-35 |
| Late Renewal Fee | $50 additional (within one renewal cycle of expiration) — per 18VAC85-40-35 |
| Renewal Window | Within 60 days before expiration date; renewal notice sent approximately 60 days before expiration |
| CE Hours Required | 20 hours per biennium (attestation-based) — per 18VAC85-40-66 |
| Mandatory CE Topics | None specified — CE must be in approved categories (see CE section below) |
| Approved CE Sources | AARC-recognized sponsors; AMA Category 1 CME; accredited academic coursework; NBRC specialty exam (= 20 hrs) |
| CE Category Limits | Up to 2 hours via volunteer clinical service to low-income patients |
| Renewal Method | Online via DHP Online Licensing; mail/paper also available |
| Lapsed License | Expired less than 2 years: renew online with late fee; Expired 2+ years: reinstatement application + $180 fee + competency evidence |
| Renewal Contact | 804-367-4600 | medbd@dhp.virginia.gov |
Virginia Respiratory Therapist licenses renew biennially in each licensee’s birth month during odd-numbered years. The combination of birth month and odd-year cycle makes Virginia’s expiration date highly individual — two practitioners born in the same year but different months have different expiration dates. The renewal window opens within 60 days before expiration, and the Board sends renewal notices at approximately the same time.
Virginia’s CE framework for renewal is attestation-based: licensees self-attest that they have completed the required 20 hours and do not submit certificates with their renewal application. The Board conducts random audits, so records must be retained. The approved CE categories are broader than many states — AARC-recognized courses, AMA Category 1 CME, academic coursework, and even passage of an NBRC specialty examination all qualify.
Virginia Respiratory Therapist CE Requirements
Virginia requires 20 hours of continuing education per biennial renewal cycle under 18VAC85-40-66. All CE must come from approved categories; topic selection within those categories is at the licensee’s discretion — there are no mandated subject areas.
Approved CE Categories
The following categories satisfy Virginia’s 20-hour CE requirement per 18VAC85-40-66:
- AARC-recognized sponsors — courses approved and documented by a sponsor recognized by the American Association for Respiratory Care
- AMA Category 1 CME — courses directly related to the practice of respiratory care approved by the American Medical Association for Category 1 CME credit
- Academic coursework — a credit course of post-licensure academic education relevant to respiratory care offered by a college or university accredited by a U.S. Department of Education-recognized agency
- NBRC specialty examination — per 18VAC85-40-66, passage of a specialty examination of the National Board of Respiratory Care counts for 20 hours of credit in the biennium in which the examination was passed
Volunteer Clinical Service — Up to 2 Hours
Per 18VAC85-40-66, up to two CE hours may be satisfied through delivery of respiratory therapy services, without compensation, to low-income individuals receiving services through a local health department or a free clinic. This is codified in the regulation and is the only category within the 20-hour total that has an explicit hour cap. Source: 18VAC85-40-66
First Renewal Exemption
Newly licensed Virginia respiratory therapists are exempt from the CE requirement for their first biennial renewal following the date of initial licensure. CE requirements begin with the second renewal cycle. This gives new graduates time to establish their CE routine before facing the attestation requirement. Source: 18VAC85-40-66
Attestation and Audit
Virginia uses an attestation-based compliance system. You attest to CE completion at the time of renewal — you do not submit certificates or documentation to the Board unless you are audited. The Board conducts random audits of licensees. CE records must be retained for auditing purposes; retain all certificates and documentation for at least two full renewal cycles (four years). Source: Virginia DHP Respiratory Therapist FAQ Q23
How to Renew Your Virginia Respiratory Therapist License
Virginia renewal can be completed online through DHP Online Licensing or by mail. Online renewal is the recommended method.
- Watch for your renewal notice — the Board sends notices approximately 60 days before your birth-month expiration date in odd-numbered years; if your address is not current with DHP, update it through the Online Licensing system before your renewal cycle
- Log in to DHP Online Licensing to renew; the renewal opens within 60 days before your expiration date
- Attest to having completed 20 hours of qualifying CE within the last biennium (or that you are exempt as a first-cycle licensee)
- Pay the $135 renewal fee (active) or $70 (inactive)
- Submit — your updated license certificate is generated upon receipt of fees and mailed to your address of record within 10 working days
If you do not receive your renewed license within four weeks of payment, contact the Board at 804-367-4600.
Lapsed License Reinstatement
Virginia distinguishes between two categories of lapsed license based on how long it has been expired.
Expired Less Than 2 Years
If your Virginia respiratory therapist license has been in expired status for less than two years, you may renew it using your existing DHP Online Licensing credentials. A late renewal fee of $50 applies in addition to the standard renewal fee. The license will not be updated until the additional fee is received. Source: Virginia DHP Application Instructions and Forms
Expired 2 or More Years
If your license has been expired for two years or more, you must submit a reinstatement application and pay the $180 reinstatement fee. You must also demonstrate competency to return to active practice by providing one of the following: evidence of continued practice in another jurisdiction during the lapsed period; ten hours of CE for each year the license was lapsed (not to exceed three years, or 30 hours total); or recertification by passage of an NBRC examination. Source: 18VAC85-40-65
Practical Notes for Virginia RT Renewal
- Your expiration date is personal — and easy to miss. Virginia ties expiration to your birth month in odd years, not a statewide fixed date. Every Virginia RT has a different deadline. Put your specific expiration date in your calendar, because a generic “Virginia licenses expire in odd years” reminder won’t tell you when yours is actually due.
- Attestation is on the honor system — but audits happen. Virginia does not collect CE certificates at renewal. You self-attest and keep your records. If audited, you need documentation going back two full renewal cycles. Build a habit of saving CE certificates to a dedicated folder — digital copies are fine.
- Passing an NBRC specialty exam covers your entire CE requirement. If you pass any NBRC specialty exam during a biennium, that counts as your full 20 hours for that cycle. Practitioners pursuing advanced credentials can satisfy the CE requirement as a side benefit of their credentialing work.
- New licensees: you get a free first renewal. CE is not required for your first biennial renewal after initial Virginia licensure. Use that first cycle to establish your CE tracking system before the requirement kicks in.
- Travel RTs: know your Virginia expiration month. If you’re working in Virginia during your birth month in an odd year, your license may be expiring mid-assignment. Plan renewal before the assignment starts if you’re within 60 days of your expiration date.
- Don’t let the license lapse past 2 years. The jump from a $50 late fee to a $180 reinstatement fee plus competency documentation is significant. If you’re close to the two-year mark, contact the Board to confirm your exact options before submitting.
Related Pages
- Virginia 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 Virginia respiratory therapist license?
Virginia respiratory therapist licenses renew every two years (biennially). Renewal is due in your birth month during each odd-numbered year. Source: Virginia DHP Respiratory Therapist FAQ Q6
When does my Virginia respiratory therapist license expire?
Your license expires in your birth month during each odd-numbered year. For example, if you were born in June, your license expires in June of each odd year. Check your license certificate or DHP Online Licensing for your specific expiration date. Source: 18VAC85-40-60
What is the renewal fee for a Virginia respiratory therapist license?
The biennial renewal fee is $135 for active licensure and $70 for inactive licensure, per 18VAC85-40-35. A late renewal fee of $50 applies if renewal is submitted after the expiration date within one renewal cycle. Source: 18VAC85-40-35
How many CE hours are required to renew a Virginia respiratory therapist license?
Virginia requires 20 hours of continuing education per biennial renewal cycle. CE must come from AARC-recognized sponsors, AMA Category 1 CME courses related to respiratory care, accredited academic coursework relevant to respiratory care, or passage of an NBRC specialty examination. Licensees attest to completion — no certificates are submitted unless audited. Source: 18VAC85-40-66
Do I need CE for my first renewal after getting my Virginia license?
No. Virginia respiratory therapists are exempt from the CE requirement for their first biennial renewal following initial licensure in Virginia. CE requirements begin with the second renewal cycle. Source: 18VAC85-40-66
What happens if my Virginia license lapses?
If your license has been expired for less than two years, you may renew online using your existing DHP credentials with a $50 late fee. If your license has been expired for two years or more, you must submit a reinstatement application with a $180 fee and provide evidence of competency — through continued out-of-state practice, 10 hours of CE per year lapsed (maximum 30 hours), or passage of an NBRC examination. Source: 18VAC85-40-65
Can I complete my Virginia CE hours entirely online?
Virginia’s regulation specifies approved CE categories rather than delivery formats. AARC-recognized sponsors and AMA Category 1 CME providers include online courses and webcasts. Virginia does not restrict CE to in-person or live formats — online courses are acceptable provided they fall under an approved CE category. Before counting any course toward your Virginia requirement, verify it carries AARC recognition or AMA Category 1 CME approval. Source: 18VAC85-40-66