Respiratory Therapist in Arizona
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for AZ
How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Arizona
To become a licensed Respiratory Therapist in Arizona, you must obtain an Associate degree or higher from a CoARC-accredited program and pass the NBRC CRT or RRT examination. The licensing body is the Arizona Board of Respiratory Care Examiners. The application process generally takes 6-8 weeks and requires a fingerprint background check. For reciprocity, applicants with out-of-state licenses must have valid NBRC credentials, be in good standing, and pass a state-specific jurisprudence exam.
Respiratory Therapist Requirements in Arizona
| Detail | Arizona |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Arizona Board of Respiratory Care Examiners |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | Associate degree from a CoARC-accredited program |
| Exam | NBRC CRT or RRT exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) and Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE) for RRT) ($190) |
| Application Fee | $270 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Continuing Education | 20.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | A fingerprint background check is required for all applicants. 2 hours of continuing education must be in ethics, and 5 hours must be live courses. As of January 1, 2017, applicants for licensure who were credentialed as a CRT in another state must hold an RRT credential or its equivalent. In-state CRTs licensed before this date can maintain their license if it doesn't lapse for more than 3 months. |
Respiratory Therapist Salary in Arizona
The median respiratory therapist salary in Arizona is $79,290 per year, which is 1.4% below the national median of $80,450.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $62,480 |
| 25th | $69,420 |
| 50th (median) | $79,290 |
| 75th | $83,370 |
| 90th (experienced) | $88,650 |
Arizona employs approximately 3,070 respiratory therapists.
Respiratory Therapist Job Outlook
AI Impact on Respiratory Therapists
Low AI Exposure (Score: -0.19/1.00)
This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.
Is Becoming a Respiratory Therapist in Arizona Worth It?
Factors to consider: Arizona's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, strong job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.