Respiratory Therapist in Pennsylvania
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for PA
How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Pennsylvania
To become a licensed Respiratory Therapist in Pennsylvania, individuals must graduate from a CoARC-accredited respiratory care program, typically an Associate degree. Applicants must pass the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) exam and complete a state application. A criminal history records check is required, and initial licensure requires 3 hours of child abuse recognition and reporting continuing education. Pennsylvania also offers licensure by endorsement for out-of-state professionals who meet specific criteria, including holding CRT or RRT credentials and having an active, good-standing license from another state with substantially equivalent requirements.
Respiratory Therapist Requirements in Pennsylvania
| Detail | Pennsylvania |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | State Board of Medicine / State Board of Osteopathic Medicine |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | Associate degree from a CoARC-accredited program |
| Exam | NBRC CRT exam |
| Application Fee | $30 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Continuing Education | 30.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | CE must include 2 hours of child abuse recognition and reporting, 1 hour in medical ethics, and 1 hour in patient safety. A criminal history records check is required. Initial applicants must complete 3 hours of Board-approved continuing education in child abuse recognition and reporting. A temporary permit is available for up to one year for new graduates who have applied for licensure and meet certain requirements, or are within 30 days of graduation. The temporary permit expires if the holder fails the NBRC exam. Minimum age not specified. |
Source: State Board of Medicine / State Board of Osteopathic Medicine
Respiratory Therapist Salary in Pennsylvania
The median respiratory therapist salary in Pennsylvania is $76,160 per year, which is 5.3% below the national median of $80,450.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $61,440 |
| 25th | $64,390 |
| 50th (median) | $76,160 |
| 75th | $81,390 |
| 90th (experienced) | $97,490 |
Pennsylvania employs approximately 5,850 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 Pennsylvania Worth It?
Factors to consider: Pennsylvania's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, strong job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.