Respiratory Therapist in Kansas

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

Median Salary
$73,580
Kansas (2024)
National Median
$80,450
All states
License Fees
$290
Exam + application
Time to Complete
2-4 years
From start to licensed

How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Kansas

To become a licensed Respiratory Therapist in Kansas, individuals must obtain a state license from the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts. This requires graduating from a CoARC-accredited associate degree program, passing the NBRC Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) examination, and submitting an application with a fee. Kansas offers reciprocity for NBRC-credentialed applicants from other states and requires a criminal background check.

Respiratory Therapist Requirements in Kansas

DetailKansas
Licensing BodyKansas State Board of Healing Arts
State License Required Yes
EducationAssociate degree from a CoARC-accredited program
Exam NBRC CRT or RRT exam ($190)
Application Fee$100
RenewalEvery 1.0 year
Continuing Education12.0 hours per cycle
NotesA criminal background check is required. At least six contact hours of continuing education per cycle must be obtained from seminars or symposiums that provide for direct interaction between speakers and participants. Kansas has a Respiratory Care Interstate Compact to facilitate interstate practice.

Source: Kansas State Board of Healing Arts

Respiratory Therapist Salary in Kansas

The median respiratory therapist salary in Kansas is $73,580 per year, which is 8.5% below the national median of $80,450.

PercentileAnnual Salary
10th (entry level)$56,690
25th$64,720
50th (median)$73,580
75th$79,950
90th (experienced)$90,620

Kansas employs approximately 1,260 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 Kansas Worth It?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you get certified as a respiratory therapist in Kansas?
The path to respiratory therapist licensure in Kansas: complete the required education (Associate degree from a CoARC-accredited program), pass the NBRC CRT or RRT exam, and submit your application ($100 fee).
Does Kansas require respiratory therapist licensure?
A state license is required in Kansas. Kansas State Board of Healing Arts handles respiratory therapist licensing — the NBRC CRT or RRT exam is part of the process.
How much does a respiratory therapist make in Kansas?
In Kansas, the median pay for respiratory therapists comes to $73,580/year. — 9% under the $80,450 national average. Entry-level (10th percentile) starts at $56,690, while experienced professionals (90th percentile) earn $90,620.
What's the total cost to get respiratory therapist certified in Kansas?
Costs include exam fee ($190) and application fee ($100). The estimated total investment is varies, including education and training.
How quickly can I become a respiratory therapist in Kansas?
Expect to spend 2-4 years from start to finish in Kansas — covering coursework, supervised experience, and examination.
How many CE hours do respiratory therapists need in Kansas?
Kansas requires 12.0 hours of continuing education every 1.0 year to maintain your respiratory therapist license.

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