Training options to become a respiratory therapist are limited to formal education, though two and four year degrees are available. An associate's degree is required to become a respiratory therapist. There are only 59 accredited entry level respiratory therapist programs in the United States. In addition to the education component, over 40 States require respiratory therapists to be licensed. Respiratory therapy programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and the National Board for Respiratory Care offers certifications to graduates. These voluntary certifications are Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) and Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT).
Coursework in the respiratory therapist program includes CPR, anatomy, pathophysiology, chemistry, physics, pharmacology as well as training specific to respiratory therapy.
