Respiratory Therapist in California
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for CA
How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in California
To become a licensed Respiratory Therapist in California, individuals must obtain a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC), which involves passing the Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) Examination and the Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE). Applicants need to complete an associate degree from a CoARC-accredited program and successfully complete an Respiratory Care Board (RCB)-approved Law and Professional Ethics course. California does not offer reciprocity with other states, so out-of-state licensees must apply for a new California license.
Respiratory Therapist Requirements in California
| Detail | California |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Respiratory Care Board of California |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | Associate degree from a CoARC-accredited program |
| Exam | NBRC Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential, which includes the Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) Examination and the Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE). If the CRT credential was earned prior to January 1, 2015, it is sufficient for licensure. |
| Application Fee | $300 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Continuing Education | 30.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | California requires a specific Law and Professional Ethics course for initial licensure and for renewal (every other cycle). Fingerprint background check required. Minimum age not specified. At least 15 CE hours must be directly related to Clinical Practice, at least 10 hours to RCP Leadership, and up to 5 hours may be indirectly related. A minimum of 15 hours must be earned through live courses or meetings. For the first renewal, only 15 total CE hours are required (7 clinical, 5 leadership, up to 3 indirect, 7 live). |
Respiratory Therapist Salary in California
The median respiratory therapist salary in California is $102,120 per year, which is 26.9% above the national median of $80,450.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $78,150 |
| 25th | $90,740 |
| 50th (median) | $102,120 |
| 75th | $125,770 |
| 90th (experienced) | $138,000 |
California employs approximately 18,310 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 California Worth It?
Factors to consider: California's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, strong job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.