How to Get Your Respiratory Therapist License in Arkansas (2026)

## How to Become a Licensed Respiratory Therapist in Arkansas Arkansas respiratory therapists serve patients in urban hospitals like UAMS Medical Center, rural critical access facilities across a geographically spread state, and specialty clinics treating chronic pulmonary disease. RTs work in ICUs, NICUs, emergency departments, and outpatient pulmonology settings. Here's the full Arkansas licensure roadmap for 2026. ### Step 1: Complete an Accredited Respiratory Therapy Program Your education must come from a **Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC)** accredited program. Arkansas has CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy programs at institutions including the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) and Arkansas State University. The standard entry path is the **Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Respiratory Therapy** (two years). **Bachelor's programs (BSRT)** are available and increasingly competitive for leadership tracks. Given Arkansas's rural healthcare access challenges, BSRT graduates with rural health electives or community health training are especially well-positioned for roles at critical access hospitals and state health department programs. ### Step 2: Pass the NBRC Examinations The **National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC)** credentials are central to Arkansas licensure. **TMC (Therapist Multiple Choice) Exam** - 160 questions, 3 hours - Passing earns the **CRT** credential - Fee: approximately $190 **CSE (Clinical Simulation Exam)** - 22 simulated cases, 4 hours - High-cut TMC score required to sit - Passing earns the **RRT** credential - Fee: approximately $200 Arkansas accepts the **CRT as the minimum** for licensure—one of the states that still allows a CRT pathway to an entry-level license. However, most Arkansas hospitals and health systems expect RRT credentials for ICU, NICU, and supervisory roles, so most candidates pursue full RRT before job searching. ### Step 3: Apply for Your Arkansas License RT licensure in Arkansas is administered by the **Arkansas Department of Health**. Your application will include: - Completed Department of Health RT application form - Application fee of approximately **$50–$75**—among the most affordable RT license fees in the country - NBRC credential verification - Background check - Proof of CoARC program graduation Confirm the most current fee schedule and application requirements on the Department of Health's website before submitting, as fees can change between renewal cycles. ### Continuing Education Requirements Arkansas requires **30 CE hours every two years** for license renewal. AARC-approved courses, NBRC specialty exam preparation, hospital in-service programs, and accredited online continuing education all count. Document each CE activity; the Department of Health may audit renewal applications. ### CRT vs. RRT: Which Do You Need in Arkansas? Arkansas accepts the **CRT** as a legal minimum for licensure, which is less restrictive than most states. However, this does not mean CRT is sufficient for most clinical positions. Expect that UAMS, Baptist Health, and other Arkansas health systems will require RRT for ICU, NICU, and independent practice roles. If you hold a CRT-only license in Arkansas, your most practical career move is passing the CSE and upgrading to RRT. ### Arkansas Respiratory Therapist Salary Ranges Arkansas RTs typically earn **$52,000–$75,000 per year**, somewhat below national median due to the state's cost of living. UAMS and the Little Rock metro pay more than rural areas, though rural critical access RTs with travel availability or on-call flexibility often negotiate premium differentials. **Travel RT assignments** in Arkansas, particularly in underserved rural areas, can yield **$40–$55 per hour** all-in. RTs with advanced ventilator management or NICU skills are in demand across the state. ### Top Employers for Respiratory Therapists in Arkansas - **UAMS Medical Center (Little Rock)** — the state's only academic medical center and primary training ground for RT specialization - **Baptist Health (Little Rock and statewide)** — the largest faith-based health system in Arkansas - **CHI St. Vincent Health** — major presence in Little Rock and Hot Springs - **Arkansas Children's Hospital (Little Rock)** — primary referral center for pediatric and neonatal RT - **VA Medical Centers** (Little Rock, Fayetteville) - **Critical access hospitals statewide** — rural RT roles with significant need and community impact - **Home health and home oxygen** — Lincare, Apria, and rural DME providers serve a large COPD population in Arkansas