Virginia Respiratory Therapist License Requirements

Virginia licenses respiratory therapists through the Board of Medicine within the Department of Health Professions. The credential is simply called the Respiratory Therapist license, and the statutory definition ties licensure directly to passing the NBRC entry-level examination — making Virginia’s requirement clear and nationally aligned. All applications are processed through the DHP Online Licensing system, and applicants can track their status online throughout the review period.

Two things stand out about Virginia’s application process. First, Virginia explicitly does not issue temporary licenses for standard paid practice — there is no bridge credential while a standard application is pending. Virginia does offer a restricted volunteer license for qualifying practitioners in limited circumstances, but this does not authorize paid clinical practice. Second, Virginia has no formal reciprocity arrangements with other states. Every applicant, regardless of where they are currently licensed, must satisfy Virginia’s education and examination requirements. For out-of-state practitioners who have not been actively practicing, Virginia adds a 160-hour clinical practice threshold as well.

What Makes Virginia Different

Virginia’s licensing framework has a few features worth knowing before you apply. The no-temporary-license rule is the most operationally significant for travel RTs: you cannot legally practice in Virginia under any provisional authority while your application is being processed. The 6-to-8-week Board FAQ estimate is the optimistic range; the application instructions themselves advise planning for 2–3 months, and processing time is largely dependent on how quickly outside entities — schools, prior licensing states, the NPDB — respond to documentation requests.

Virginia also does not have formal reciprocity arrangements with other states. Licensure by endorsement is available for out-of-state applicants with active credentials, but full Virginia requirements must be met — there is no expedited pathway based solely on holding a license elsewhere. Virginia also does not participate in the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact (RCIC). A full Virginia license is required to practice here regardless of compact membership elsewhere.

On the positive side, Virginia’s CRT-minimum standard means entry-level NBRC credential holders qualify for licensure — the RRT is not required. And the application fee structure is straightforward: $130 at filing, no separate endorsement or pathway-specific fees published in the regulation.

Virginia Respiratory Therapist Licensure Requirements

Education

Applicants must have graduated from a respiratory therapy program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC), with at minimum an associate degree. Transcripts must be sent directly from the institution to the Board; if your school no longer exists, you must provide a notarized copy of your diploma and transcript along with a statement that the school is no longer in existence. Source: Virginia DHP Respiratory Therapist FAQ

NBRC Examination

Virginia requires passage of “the examination for the entry level practice of respiratory care administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care, Inc., or other examination approved by the Board.” In practice this means the NBRC entry-level (CRT-equivalent) examination. No separate Virginia state examination is required; the RRT is not required for initial Virginia licensure. Source: Virginia DHP Respiratory Therapist page (statutory definition)

Out-of-State Applicants — 160-Hour Practice Requirement

Applicants who have not practiced respiratory therapy for three years face an additional requirement, confirmed in the DHP Board FAQ. The FAQ states verbatim: “If previously licensed or certified in another jurisdiction, a minimum of 160 hours of professional practice as a respiratory care practitioner within the 24-month period immediately preceding application for licensure is required.” Active practice for this purpose includes supervisory, administrative, educational, or consultative activities and responsibilities for the delivery of services — not only direct patient care. Source: Virginia DHP Respiratory Therapist FAQ Q22

NPDB Report

Out-of-state applicants are required to obtain a National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) self-query report and submit it to the Board. The Board will accept a digitally-certified electronic copy emailed directly to the Board in lieu of a mailed paper copy. Source: Virginia DHP Respiratory Therapist Application Instructions

How to Apply for a Virginia Respiratory Therapist License

1. Visit the DHP Application Wizard for Respiratory Therapists to confirm current requirements and begin your application online
2. Create or log in to your DHP Online Licensing account and complete the application, including all criminal history disclosure questions
3. Pay the $130 application fee at time of filing
4. Arrange for your CoARC-accredited program to send official transcripts directly to the Board
5. If applying based on out-of-state licensure: contact each prior licensing jurisdiction to have credential verification sent to the Board; obtain and submit your NPDB self-query report
6. Monitor your application status through DHP Online Licensing; respond promptly to any Board requests — delays in documentation from outside entities extend processing time

Do not plan to begin practicing in Virginia before your license is issued. Virginia does not authorize temporary practice during the application review period.

Practical Notes

• No temporary license means no practicing while you wait. Virginia is explicit on this. If you accept a Virginia assignment, your license must be in hand before day one. Build 2–3 months of lead time into any Virginia assignment planning — not 6–8 weeks.
• No reciprocity means a full application regardless of experience. If you are a 20-year veteran licensed in 10 other states, Virginia still requires you to go through the full application process. There is no shortcut based on existing licensure.
• The 160-hour practice threshold matters for career changers. If you have been out of clinical practice for more than three years, you will need to document 160 hours of active practice in the prior 24 months. Administrative, supervisory, and educational work counts — not just bedside care.
• CRT is sufficient — but check employer requirements. Virginia’s statute requires only the entry-level NBRC exam. Many health systems in Virginia require the RRT as a condition of employment regardless of what the state mandates. Confirm credential requirements with your employer or staffing agency.
• No compact membership means no shortcut for multistate practice. Virginia has not enacted the RCIC. Compact privileges from other states do not extend here.

Relevant Statutes and Regulations

• § 54.1-2954.1 Code of Virginia — Respiratory Therapists
• 18VAC85-40 — Regulations Governing the Practice of Respiratory Therapists
• 18VAC85-40-35 — Fees
• Virginia DHP — Laws and Regulations (Board of Medicine)

Related Pages

• Virginia Respiratory Therapist License Renewal Guide
• Respiratory Care Practitioner Licensing by State — Complete Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Virginia license to practice respiratory therapy in Virginia?

Yes. Anyone who wishes to practice as a respiratory therapist or use the title “Respiratory Therapist” or the letters “RT” in Virginia must hold a current Virginia license issued by the Board of Medicine. Source: Virginia DHP Respiratory Therapist FAQ Q21

Can I get a temporary license while my Virginia application is being processed?

Virginia does not issue temporary licenses for standard paid respiratory therapy practice. The Board FAQ states: “No. Virginia does not issue a temporary license.” Virginia does offer a restricted volunteer license for qualifying practitioners providing uncompensated care in limited circumstances, but this does not authorize standard paid clinical practice. You must hold a current active Virginia license before beginning any paid respiratory therapy work in the state. Source: Virginia DHP Respiratory Therapist FAQ Q3

Does Virginia have reciprocity with other states?

Virginia does not have formal reciprocity agreements with other states. Licensure by endorsement is available for applicants who hold an active credential in another jurisdiction, but all applicants must still meet Virginia’s full education and examination requirements — there is no expedited pathway based solely on existing licensure. The Board FAQ states: “No. An applicant must meet the education and examination requirements to become licensed.” Source: Virginia DHP Respiratory Therapist FAQ Q4

What is the application fee for a Virginia respiratory therapist license?

The application fee is $130, payable at the time the application is filed, per 18VAC85-40-35. Verify the current fee on the Board’s fee schedule before submitting. Source: 18VAC85-40-35

Is the CRT credential sufficient for Virginia licensure?

Virginia’s statute defines a respiratory therapist as a person who has “passed the examination for the entry level practice of respiratory care administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care, Inc., or other examination approved by the Board.” In practice, this is the NBRC entry-level examination (CRT-equivalent standard). The RRT is not required for initial Virginia licensure, though individual employers may require it as a condition of employment. Source: Virginia DHP Respiratory Therapist page

How long does it take to get a Virginia respiratory therapist license?

The Board FAQ states the average processing time is 6 to 8 weeks. The application instructions note that applicants should not expect the process to take less than 2 to 3 months, as timelines depend on how quickly outside entities submit required documentation. Both figures are administrative estimates, not regulatory guarantees — plan accordingly before accepting a Virginia assignment. Source: Virginia DHP Respiratory Therapist FAQ Q2

Does Virginia participate in the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact?

No. Virginia has not enacted the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact (RCIC). Compact privileges from other member states do not extend to Virginia. A full Virginia license is required to practice here regardless of compact membership elsewhere. Verify current RCIC membership status at respiratorycarecompact.org.