Texas Respiratory Therapist Licensing Guide

Texas Respiratory Therapist License Overview

We have not found an interstate compact that covers Respiratory Therapists in Texas. Plan on meeting Texas's own requirements before you practice there.

How to Get a Texas Respiratory Therapist License by Endorsement

Texas 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 $175 application fee.

1. Submit the Respiratory Care Practitioner certificate application online, then upload the supplemental documents TMB requests through LAMAS
2. Request license verification from current state (via NBRC or direct) (can run concurrently)
3. Complete any state-specific requirements (background check, etc.) (can run concurrently)
4. Await board review and license issuance

License verification is handled through NBRC or direct board verification. Request verification early so your application is not delayed.

Confirm the current fingerprinting and background check steps with the Texas Medical Board — Respiratory Care Practitioner Program (Texas Board of Respiratory Care). Where fingerprinting applies, submit your authorization as early as possible.

Check the Texas Medical Board — Respiratory Care Practitioner Program (Texas Board of Respiratory Care) website for status updates on your application.

Texas Respiratory Therapist License Fees

Renewal: from our records; confirm with the board.

Travelers should factor these licensing costs into their assignment budgeting.

Texas Temporary Respiratory Therapist License

Texas issues temporary respiratory therapy licenses, allowing Respiratory Therapists to begin practicing while their permanent endorsement application is being processed. For travelers, this is often the fastest path to starting an assignment.

Duration: 1 year from date of issue; automatically terminates upon issuance of full RCP certificate.

Eligibility requirements:

• Licensed to practice respiratory care in another state or country and practicing there now or within the past 12 months, or a graduate of an approved respiratory care education program

Important for travelers: The temporary certificate expires one year from the date of issue and ends when your full certificate is issued; after it expires you can reapply with a new online application and fee.

Texas Respiratory Therapist License Processing Time

Texas Respiratory Therapist endorsement applications typically take 8-10 weeks; 15 business days to verify application and potentially issue temporary license to process.

In the best-case scenario, processing can be as fast as 6 weeks (if application complete, fingerprinting scheduled immediately, jurisprudence exam passed first attempt, and no professionalism flags).

Common sources of delay:

• TMB requires jurisprudence exam completion before final licensure; exam scheduling can add 2-4 weeks to processing timeline
• Board review and approval process occurs after application verification is complete; applications reviewed in batches, no guaranteed timeline disclosed
• Applications stay pending and cannot be approved until you submit unexpired lawful presence documentation from TMB's list
• Professionalism questions answered 'yes' trigger extended board review; each affirmative response can add 1-3 weeks to processing
• License verification from previous state (NBRC or direct board contact) may take 2-3 weeks depending on responsiveness of issuing state

We have not found an expedited processing option on the Texas Medical Board — Respiratory Care Practitioner Program's site. 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.

Texas Respiratory Therapist Continuing Education

Texas requires 24 contact hours of continuing education every 2 years for Respiratory Therapist license renewal (from our records; confirm with the board).

Texas Respiratory Therapist License Renewal

• Renewal cycle: Every 2 years — $104
• Renewal timing: Biennial registration; licensees expire twice a year on May 31st OR November 30th depending on assigned cycle. No grace period — penalty fee equal to one-half registration fee added immediately upon expiration; doubles to full registration fee after 90 days; auto-cancelled after 1 year expired.
• Renewal window: Online registration opens 60-90 days prior to expiration date; reminder postcards mailed at least 60 days in advance
• Late penalty: 1/2 registration fee penalty immediately at expiration, and full registration fee penalty after 90 days, and auto-cancellation after 1 year

Texas Licensing Board and Resources

Texas Medical Board — Respiratory Care Practitioner Program (Texas Board of Respiratory Care)

Board Website · Application Portal · License Verification

Phone: 512-305-7030

Email: [email protected]