Respiratory therapy school takes two to four years, depending on whether you pursue an associate or bachelor’s degree. Most students complete an associate degree in about two years and enter the workforce, though the profession is shifting toward requiring a bachelor’s degree as the minimum for new graduates by 2030.
Associate Degree: The Two-Year Path
The most common entry point into respiratory therapy is an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Respiratory Care, which typically takes two years of full-time study. These programs combine classroom instruction with hands-on clinical rotations in hospitals and care facilities. During the first year, you’ll focus mostly on science coursework and foundational respiratory care theory. The second year shifts heavily toward clinical practice, where you work in real patient care settings for roughly 35 hours per week.
That two-year estimate assumes you’ve already completed your prerequisite courses. If you haven’t, add time accordingly.
Prerequisites Can Add a Year or More
Before you start a respiratory therapy program, you’ll need to finish a set of prerequisite courses in science, math, and general education. At Stony Brook Medicine, for example, applicants must complete a minimum of 57 credits before the program begins. Typical prerequisites include:
- Anatomy and physiology with lab (two semesters)
- Chemistry with lab (two semesters)
- Physics with lab (one semester)
- Statistics (one semester)
- Liberal arts electives or additional science courses
For students starting from scratch, prerequisites alone can take one to two years. Some community colleges bundle prerequisites into the first year of an associate program, which is how the “two-year” timeline works. At a university bachelor’s program, you’d typically spend your first two years on prerequisites and general education, then enter the upper-division respiratory care courses as a junior. Science courses older than 10 years may not be accepted, so returning students should check whether previous coursework still counts.
Bachelor’s Degree: Four Years Total
A Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care takes about four years when pursued straight through. The first two years cover prerequisites and general education, and the final two years focus on respiratory care coursework and clinical rotations. Bachelor’s programs go deeper into research methods, leadership, patient education, and disease management compared to associate programs.
If you already hold an associate degree and your RRT credential, degree-advancement bridge programs let you finish a bachelor’s in a much shorter time. These are designed for working professionals and are often delivered online. LSU Health Shreveport’s bridge program runs 15 months at a standard pace, with a full-time fast track that can be completed in 10 months. Cedars-Sinai’s program is similarly designed at approximately 15 months. Most bridge programs use asynchronous online courses in eight-week blocks, so you can keep working while you study.
Master’s Degree Programs
A smaller number of schools offer master’s-level entry into the profession. Rush University’s Master of Science in Respiratory Care is a full-time, on-campus program that takes 24 months and requires a minimum of 92 credits. A part-time advanced standing option exists for students who already hold the RRT credential. Master’s programs prepare graduates for leadership roles, research, and education positions within the field.
What Happens After Graduation
Graduating from an accredited program is only part of the timeline. To practice, you need to pass the Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) Examination administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care. You can apply for the exam as soon as you graduate, and there are no application deadlines. If you apply and pay online, your application is processed immediately, and you’ll receive an email with instructions to schedule your exam appointment. Most graduates sit for the exam within a few weeks of finishing school.
Scoring at the higher cut score on the TMC makes you eligible for the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential. You can also pursue the Clinical Simulation Exam for additional credentialing. State licensure requirements vary but generally require passing the TMC at minimum.
The Shift Toward a Bachelor’s Minimum
The AARC has been working toward making a bachelor’s degree the minimum requirement for all new respiratory therapists entering practice in 2030 and beyond. This initiative also proposes requiring the RRT credential rather than just the entry-level CRT. While this hasn’t been universally mandated yet, many employers already prefer or require a bachelor’s degree, and the trend is clearly moving in that direction.
If you’re starting school now, this is worth factoring into your plans. An associate degree still qualifies you to sit for the credentialing exams and work in the field today. But pursuing a bachelor’s, or at least planning to complete one through a bridge program later, positions you better for long-term career advancement and potential regulatory changes. The total investment from start to finish, including prerequisites, ranges from two years at the shortest for an associate degree to four years for a bachelor’s, with another one to two months tacked on for credentialing exams.