The basic requirement of an applicant for respiratory therapy is an associate degree in addition to the minimum educational requirement. If the applicant is aiming at advancement then the requirement of a bachelors degree is a must. The acquiring of a license for respiratory therapist is necessary in all states except the states of Alaska and Hawaii. Every respiratory therapist should have an associate degree. There are various places in which a student can undergo training. The best places providing training are medical colleges, schools and the universities. Human anatomy, mathematics or chemistry and  other studies like pathophysiology, physics, pharmacology, and microbiology are among the areas of study in a respiratory therapy programs. Students presently in high school and desiring to take a course in respiratory therapy need to take courses in mathematics, health, biology, chemistry, physics and biology. Respiratory care does require the ability to calculate simple  mathematical problems.

Respiratory therapist should  maintain a CPR certification, as it is usually required for employment. The respiratory therapist needs to obtain a certification from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) in order to obtain the license. The Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credential is given to therapists who are graduates from the entry level or advanced programs that are accredited by CAAHEP or the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care. The therapists must pass the exam. The CRT credential is also awarded to therapists who have graduated from advanced  programs and have cleared two separate exams. The RRT is required in order to acquire supervisory positions and intensive care specialties.

A respiratory therapist is a “care” provider, therefore it is important that those interested have a caring personality and  be able to maintain a positive attitude under a workload. As a professional, RT’s are part of the health care team and therefore a team mentality is essential. A great part of respiratory therapy work deals with technology, so a fear of computers will not do. Advancement opportunities are often experience and education based, but with the increasing demand for health care professionals a new RT should expect to move around rather quickly.

Finding a program to apply for is only half the battle. In most cases the seating is limited so it can be rather competitive especially at the community college level. Application and enrollment are indeed two different things.  If you don’t get in the first time, try again and be sure that you are looking at every possible angle to pursue your career goals.