Respiratory Therapist in Oregon
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for OR
How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Oregon
To become a licensed Respiratory Therapist in Oregon, applicants must obtain an Associate degree from a CoARC-accredited program or an equivalent respiratory care education program. They must pass both the NBRC RRT exam and the Oregon Laws and Administrative Rules examination. A criminal background check is required, and applicants must be at least 18 years old. Oregon offers reciprocity for applicants licensed in other states with equivalent qualifications or those holding an active NBRC CRT or RRT credential.
Respiratory Therapist Requirements in Oregon
| Detail | Oregon |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Oregon Health Authority - Respiratory Therapist and Polysomnographic Technologist Licensing Board |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | Associate degree from a CoARC-accredited program or a respiratory care education program approved by the American Medical Association in collaboration with the Joint Review Committee for Respiratory Therapy Education or their successors or equivalent organizations, as approved by the Respiratory Therapist and Polysomnographic Technologist Licensing Board. Proof of a high school diploma or equivalent is also required. |
| Exam | NBRC RRT exam and Oregon Laws and Administrative Rules examination |
| Application Fee | $100 |
| Renewal | Every 1.0 year |
| Continuing Education | 7.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | Minimum age of 18. A criminal background check is required. CE must include one hour of cultural competency every other renewal cycle. At least 2.5 hours of CE must be related to clinical practice. Individuals licensed prior to January 1, 2018, with a CRT credential are not required to obtain the RRT credential. |
Source: Oregon Health Authority - Respiratory Therapist and Polysomnographic Technologist Licensing Board
Respiratory Therapist Salary in Oregon
The median respiratory therapist salary in Oregon is $96,130 per year, which is 19.5% above the national median of $80,450.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $80,290 |
| 25th | $82,490 |
| 50th (median) | $96,130 |
| 75th | $101,390 |
| 90th (experienced) | $110,390 |
Oregon employs approximately 1,410 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 Oregon Worth It?
Factors to consider: Oregon's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, strong job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.