Respiratory Therapist in Connecticut

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for CT

Median Salary
$83,250
Connecticut (2024)
National Median
$80,450
All states
License Fees
$190
Exam + application
Time to Complete
2 years (Associate degree) or 4 years (Bachelor's degree)
From start to licensed

How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Connecticut

To become a licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner in Connecticut, applicants must complete an educational program for Respiratory Therapists accredited by CoARC (or equivalent at the time of completion) and successfully pass either the Entry Level or Advanced Practitioner Respiratory Care examination administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC). The application fee is $190. Connecticut offers reciprocity for applicants licensed in other states for at least four years, and for those registered by the Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists who meet specific NBRC credentialing requirements. Licenses are renewed annually, requiring 10 hours of continuing education, with at least 5 hours being real-time interactive education.

Respiratory Therapist Requirements in Connecticut

DetailConnecticut
Licensing BodyConnecticut Department of Public Health
State License Required Yes
EducationAssociate degree from a CoARC-accredited program
Exam NBRC CRT or RRT exam
Application Fee$190
RenewalEvery 1.0 year
Continuing Education10.0 hours per cycle
NotesA minimum of 5 hours of continuing education must be real-time education with opportunities for live interaction. A licensee applying for renewal for the first time is exempt from continuing education requirements for that initial period. Licenses expire annually in the licensee's birth month. There is no minimum age specified.

Source: Connecticut Department of Public Health

Respiratory Therapist Salary in Connecticut

The median respiratory therapist salary in Connecticut is $83,250 per year, which is 3.5% above the national median of $80,450.

PercentileAnnual Salary
10th (entry level)$70,480
25th$79,920
50th (median)$83,250
75th$91,550
90th (experienced)$101,900

Connecticut employs approximately 1,540 respiratory therapists.

Respiratory Therapist Job Outlook

10-Year Growth
+12.1%
Much faster than average
Annual Openings
8.8
Nationwide per year
Total Employment
139.6
Nationwide

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 Connecticut Worth It?

Factors to consider: Connecticut's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, strong job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the steps to becoming a respiratory therapist in Connecticut?
In Connecticut, becoming a respiratory therapist requires you to complete the required education (Associate degree from a CoARC-accredited program), pass the NBRC CRT or RRT exam, and submit your application ($190 fee).
Is a respiratory therapist license required in Connecticut?
Connecticut mandates state licensure for respiratory therapists. Connecticut Department of Public Health oversees the process, which includes passing the NBRC CRT or RRT exam.
How much does a respiratory therapist make in Connecticut?
The median respiratory therapist salary in Connecticut is $83,250 per year. This is close to the national median of $80,450. New respiratory therapists start around $70,480; seasoned professionals can reach $101,900.
What's the timeline to become a respiratory therapist in Connecticut?
The typical timeline in Connecticut is 2 years (Associate degree) or 4 years (Bachelor's degree). This includes completing education, gaining any required experience, and passing the licensing exam.
What's required to renew a respiratory therapist license in Connecticut?
Connecticut requires 10.0 hours of continuing education every 1.0 year to maintain your respiratory therapist license.

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