Respiratory Therapist in South Carolina
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for SC
How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in South Carolina
To become a licensed Respiratory Therapist in South Carolina, individuals must graduate from a CoARC-accredited Associate degree program and pass the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) exam. The licensing body is the South Carolina Board of Medical Examiners. A criminal background check is required, and a temporary license may be available for up to 90 days. South Carolina is also part of the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, which facilitates practice across member states.
Respiratory Therapist Requirements in South Carolina
| Detail | South Carolina |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | South Carolina Board of Medical Examiners |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | Associate degree from a CoARC-accredited program |
| Exam | NBRC CRT or RRT exam ($120) |
| Application Fee | $120 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Continuing Education | 30.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | A criminal background check is required. First-time renewals are exempt from continuing education requirements. Licenses expire on May 31st of odd-numbered years. South Carolina uses CE Broker to track continuing education compliance. Temporary licenses may be issued for up to 90 days. |
Respiratory Therapist Salary in South Carolina
The median respiratory therapist salary in South Carolina is $75,960 per year, which is 5.6% below the national median of $80,450.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $62,190 |
| 25th | $65,110 |
| 50th (median) | $75,960 |
| 75th | $79,130 |
| 90th (experienced) | $82,470 |
South Carolina employs approximately 1,930 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 South Carolina Worth It?
Factors to consider: South Carolina's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, strong job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.