Respiratory Therapist in Missouri
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for MO
How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Missouri
To become a licensed Respiratory Therapist in Missouri, individuals must graduate from a CoARC-accredited Associate degree program and pass the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) exam. The licensing body is the Missouri Board for Respiratory Care. A criminal background check is required for all applicants. Missouri offers reciprocity for licensed respiratory therapists from other states or territories with equivalent qualifications and at least one year of licensure.
Respiratory Therapist Requirements in Missouri
| Detail | Missouri |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Missouri Board for Respiratory Care |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | Associate degree from a CoARC-accredited program |
| Exam | NBRC CRT or RRT exam ($200) |
| Application Fee | $40 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Continuing Education | 24.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | A criminal background check is required. Applicants may obtain a conditional license while awaiting a background check, valid for no more than twelve months and non-renewable. The NBRC exam system is changing in January 2027, replacing the TMC + CSE with a single 'Respiratory Therapy Examination' (185 questions, 4 hours, $360 new applicants / $300 repeat) with two cut scores for CRT or RRT. The CRT-to-Registry pathway is eliminated December 31, 2026. The CSE remains available through December 31, 2027, for those who passed TMC high cut before that date. |
Respiratory Therapist Salary in Missouri
The median respiratory therapist salary in Missouri is $73,880 per year, which is 8.2% below the national median of $80,450.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $57,590 |
| 25th | $64,360 |
| 50th (median) | $73,880 |
| 75th | $81,980 |
| 90th (experienced) | $93,140 |
Missouri employs approximately 3,270 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 Missouri Worth It?
Factors to consider: Missouri's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, strong job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.