Respiratory Therapist in Maryland

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

Median Salary
$85,570
Maryland (2024)
National Median
$80,450
All states
License Fees
$615
Exam + application
Time to Complete
3-6 weeks for application processing
From start to licensed

How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Maryland

To become a licensed Respiratory Therapist in Maryland, individuals must graduate from a CoARC-accredited respiratory care program and pass the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) or Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) examinations (TMC and CSE exams). The licensing body is the Maryland Board of Physicians. The application process typically takes 3-6 weeks, and a criminal history records check is required. Maryland offers reciprocity for licensees from other states with substantially equivalent requirements.

Respiratory Therapist Requirements in Maryland

DetailMaryland
Licensing BodyMaryland Board of Physicians
State License Required Yes
EducationAssociate degree from a CoARC-accredited program
Exam NBRC CRT or RRT (TMC and CSE exams) ($390)
Application Fee$225
RenewalEvery 2.0 years
Continuing Education16.0 hours per cycle
NotesApplicants must be at least 18 years old and of good moral character. A criminal history records check is required. First-time renewals are exempt from continuing education requirements. Beginning with 2022 license renewals, a one-time attestation of completion of an implicit bias training course is required. English language competency must be demonstrated.

Source: Maryland Board of Physicians

Respiratory Therapist Salary in Maryland

The median respiratory therapist salary in Maryland is $85,570 per year, which is 6.4% above the national median of $80,450.

PercentileAnnual Salary
10th (entry level)$71,160
25th$82,010
50th (median)$85,570
75th$99,230
90th (experienced)$104,070

Maryland employs approximately 1,890 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 Maryland Worth It?

Factors to consider: Maryland'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 Maryland?
In Maryland, becoming a respiratory therapist requires you to complete the required education (Associate degree from a CoARC-accredited program), pass the NBRC CRT or RRT (TMC and CSE exams), and submit your application ($225 fee).
Do I need a license to work as a respiratory therapist in Maryland?
A state license is required in Maryland. Maryland Board of Physicians handles respiratory therapist licensing — the NBRC CRT or RRT (TMC and CSE exams) is part of the process.
How much do respiratory therapists make in Maryland?
The median respiratory therapist salary in Maryland is $85,570 per year. That's 6% above the national median of $80,450. Wages range from $71,160 (10th percentile) up to $104,070 (90th percentile).
What are the fees to become a respiratory therapist in Maryland?
Between exam fee ($390) and application fee ($225), expect to invest around varies in total to get started.
How long does it take to become a respiratory therapist in Maryland?
In Maryland, becoming a respiratory therapist generally takes 3-6 weeks for application processing, accounting for education requirements, hands-on training, and the exam process.
What are the continuing education requirements for respiratory therapists in Maryland?
Maryland requires 16.0 hours of continuing education every 2.0 years to maintain your respiratory therapist license.

Explore More