Respiratory Therapist in North Dakota

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

Median Salary
$76,660
North Dakota (2024)
National Median
$80,450
All states
License Fees
$270
Exam + application
Time to Complete
2-4 years
From start to licensed

How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in North Dakota

To become a licensed Respiratory Therapist in North Dakota, you must graduate from a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program and pass the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) Examination. The licensing body is the North Dakota State Board of Respiratory Care. A criminal history record check is required, and applicants must be at least 18 years old. North Dakota also offers reciprocity for out-of-state licensees who meet similar requirements and hold NBRC credentials.

Respiratory Therapist Requirements in North Dakota

DetailNorth Dakota
Licensing BodyNorth Dakota State Board of Respiratory Care
State License Required Yes
EducationAssociate degree from a CoARC-accredited program
Exam NBRC CRT or RRT exam ($190)
Application Fee$80
RenewalEvery 1.0 year
Continuing Education10.0 hours per cycle
NotesA criminal history record check is required. Minimum age of 18 years old. The NBRC exam system is changing in January 2027, replacing the TMC + CSE two-exam system with a single 'Respiratory Therapy Examination'.

Source: North Dakota State Board of Respiratory Care

Respiratory Therapist Salary in North Dakota

The median respiratory therapist salary in North Dakota is $76,660 per year, which is 4.7% below the national median of $80,450.

PercentileAnnual Salary
10th (entry level)$61,040
25th$63,270
50th (median)$76,660
75th$81,260
90th (experienced)$96,660

North Dakota employs approximately 300 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 North Dakota Worth It?

Factors to consider: North Dakota'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 North Dakota?
In North Dakota, 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 ($80 fee).
Is a respiratory therapist license required in North Dakota?
Yes, North Dakota requires a state license to practice as a respiratory therapist. The licensing body is North Dakota State Board of Respiratory Care. You must pass the NBRC CRT or RRT exam.
What do respiratory therapists earn in North Dakota?
The median respiratory therapist salary in North Dakota is $76,660 per year. That's roughly in line with the $80,450 national median. New respiratory therapists start around $61,040; seasoned professionals can reach $96,660.
How expensive is respiratory therapist licensing in North Dakota?
Between exam fee ($190) and application fee ($80), expect to invest around varies in total to get started.
How long does it take to become a respiratory therapist in North Dakota?
Expect to spend 2-4 years from start to finish in North Dakota — covering coursework, supervised experience, and examination.
Does North Dakota require continuing education for respiratory therapists?
License renewal in North Dakota requires completing 10.0 hours of continuing education on a 1.0-year cycle.

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