Respiratory Therapist in Virginia
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for VA
How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Virginia
To become a licensed Respiratory Therapist in Virginia, individuals must obtain a state license from the Virginia Board of Medicine. Key steps include completing an associate degree from a CoARC-accredited program, passing the NBRC CRT exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice Examination) or RRT exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice Examination and Clinical Simulation Examination), and submitting an application with a fee of $130. A criminal history background check is required, and applicants must be at least 18 years old. Virginia does not offer reciprocity; applicants licensed in other states must still meet Virginia's education and examination requirements.
Respiratory Therapist Requirements in Virginia
| Detail | Virginia |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Virginia Board of Medicine |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | Associate degree from a CoARC-accredited program |
| Exam | NBRC CRT exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice Examination) or RRT exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice Examination and Clinical Simulation Examination) ($190) |
| Application Fee | $130 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Continuing Education | 20.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | A criminal history background check is required. Minimum age of 18 is typically required for program enrollment. As of January 1, 2015, new hires must be current RRT. Effective for 2024/2025 renewal cycles, 1 hour of training in Human Trafficking is required. |
Source: Virginia Board of Medicine
Respiratory Therapist Salary in Virginia
The median respiratory therapist salary in Virginia is $79,600 per year, which is 1.1% below the national median of $80,450.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $60,830 |
| 25th | $67,890 |
| 50th (median) | $79,600 |
| 75th | $93,000 |
| 90th (experienced) | $102,680 |
Virginia employs approximately 2,960 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 Virginia Worth It?
Factors to consider: Virginia's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, strong job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.