Mississippi Respiratory Therapist Licensing Guide
License Snapshot
Processing Time
4-8 weeks
From complete application
Application Fee
$75
Renewal: $100
Credential
NBRC
Required national certification
Renewal
20 hours
Every 2 years
Overview
Mississippi does not participate in an interstate compact for respiratory therapy. Travelers must obtain an individual Mississippi license through the endorsement process before practicing in the state, regardless of what licenses they hold elsewhere.
Endorsement Process
Mississippi uses an online portal endorsement process for respiratory therapists already licensed in another state. You'll need to submit your completed application along with supporting documents and the $75 application fee.
- Submit endorsement application via Mississippi board portal
- Request license verification from current state (via NBRC or direct) (can run concurrently)
- Complete any state-specific requirements (jurisprudence exam, background check, etc.) (can run concurrently)
- Await board review and license issuance
License verification is handled through NBRC or direct board verification. Mississippi requires verification from every state where you hold or have held a respiratory therapist license, so request verification early to avoid delays.
Background check requirements vary by applicant — confirm the current fingerprinting and screening steps with the Mississippi State Department of Health, Professional Licensure Division (Respiratory Care Practitioner). Where fingerprinting applies, submit your authorization as early as possible, since background check processing is one of the most common sources of delay.
Jurisprudence Exam Required: Mississippi requires a mandatory Respiratory Therapy Jurisprudence Examination covering Mississippi-specific law. This cannot be waived regardless of your experience level or compact status. Schedule this early — no license (temporary or permanent) will issue until you've passed it.
After all components are received, the Board reviews applications on a rolling basis. Check the Mississippi State Department of Health, Professional Licensure Division (Respiratory Care Practitioner) website for status updates on your application.
Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Endorsement Application | $75 |
| Renewal | $100 (every 2 years) |
Travelers should factor these licensing costs into their assignment budgeting. Many staffing agencies, including Fusion Medical Staffing, offer licensure reimbursement programs to help offset these expenses.
Temporary License
Mississippi does not issue temporary respiratory therapy licenses. Your permanent license must be fully issued before you can begin working on assignment. Travelers should plan their start dates accordingly and allow the full processing window before their expected first day.
Processing Time
Mississippi respiratory therapist endorsement applications typically take 4-8 weeks to process. The timeline is subject to moderate variability depending on the completeness of your application and external factors.
In the best-case scenario, processing can be as fast as 3 weeks (complete application received, verification returned promptly, no missing documentation, board review cycle alignment).
Common sources of delay:
- Board processes applications in batches; applications submitted outside the monthly review window may wait 3-4 weeks before review begins
- NBRC or direct license verification from source state can take 2-3 weeks if the originating state's board is slow to respond
- Missing or incomplete documentation (fingerprinting results, verification forms, proof of CE hours) requires applicant resubmission, adding 2-4 weeks per cycle
Mississippi does not offer an expedited processing track. The best way to minimize your wait time is to ensure all application components — fingerprints, verification, and any required exams — are completed before or immediately after submitting your application.
Continuing Education
Mississippi requires 20 contact hours of continuing education every 2 years for respiratory therapist license renewal.
- Traveler tip: Keep all CE documentation organized and easily accessible — Mississippi may audit compliance at any time
Renewal Process
- Renewal cycle: Every 2 years — $100 via Mississippi State Board of Respiratory Care portal
- Renewal timing: Licensure period runs September 1 through August 31 of odd-numbered years (expires Aug 31 of odd years).
- Traveler tip: Track your Mississippi license expiration date carefully — a lapsed license can disrupt active assignments
Official Resources
Mississippi State Department of Health, Professional Licensure Division (Respiratory Care Practitioner)
Board Website·Application Portal
Phone: (601) 364-7360
Email: [email protected]
Frequently Asked Questions
Please note that while Fusion Medical Staffing strives to provide the most current and accurate information, we cannot guarantee the completeness or timeliness of the information provided. Requirements and processes can change frequently. Healthcare professionals are strongly encouraged to verify details directly with Mississippi State Department of Health, Professional Licensure Division (Respiratory Care Practitioner)'s official website.
Resources
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