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

How to Become a Licensed Respiratory Therapist in Connecticut

Connecticut has a dense and sophisticated healthcare market for its size, with major academic medical centers in New Haven and Hartford drawing nationally recognized clinical talent. Respiratory therapists in Connecticut work in ICUs, NICUs, emergency departments, pulmonology practices, and home health agencies serving both urban populations and the state's many aging suburban communities. Here is the full licensure path for 2026.

Step 1: Complete an Accredited Respiratory Therapy Program

Connecticut RT license applicants must complete a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC). The state has CoARC-accredited RT programs at institutions including Norwalk Community College and Quinnipiac University.

The standard credential is the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Respiratory Therapy (two years). Bachelor's programs (BSRT) are available at Quinnipiac and some New England universities, and are increasingly preferred by Yale New Haven Health and Hartford HealthCare for leadership and specialty roles.

Step 2: Pass the NBRC Examinations

Connecticut requires active credentials from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).

TMC (Therapist Multiple Choice) Exam

• 160 questions, 3 hours
• Earns the CRT credential
• Fee: approximately $190

CSE (Clinical Simulation Exam)

• 22 simulated cases, 4 hours
• Requires high-cut TMC score
• Earns the RRT credential
• Fee: approximately $200

Connecticut requires the RRT for full licensure. CRT alone does not qualify for an unrestricted Connecticut RT license.

Step 3: Apply for Your Connecticut License

RT licensure in Connecticut is administered by the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH). Your application includes:

• Completed DPH RT application
• License fee of approximately $100-$175, one of the higher license fees in New England, reflecting Connecticut's professional licensing structure
• Official NBRC RRT credential verification
• Background check
• Proof of CoARC program graduation

Connecticut does not participate in the national RT licensure compact, so RTs relocating from other states must apply for a Connecticut-specific license. Processing times are typically two to four weeks.

Continuing Education Requirements

Connecticut requires 30 CE hours every two years for license renewal. AARC-approved courses, NBRC specialty exam preparation programs, employer-sponsored accredited education, and online CE providers all count. Review the DPH website for any updates to approved CE categories before each renewal.

CRT vs. RRT: Which Do You Need in Connecticut?

Connecticut requires the RRT for unrestricted licensure. CRT alone is not accepted. The major Connecticut health systems, Yale New Haven Health and Hartford HealthCare, both require RRT credentials as a hiring baseline, especially for ICU and NICU roles.

Connecticut Respiratory Therapist Salary Ranges

Connecticut is one of the higher-paying states for respiratory therapists in the Northeast. Staff RTs typically earn $65,000-$92,000 per year, with academic medical center positions in New Haven and Hartford at the upper end. ICU, NICU, and ECMO-specialized RTs earn premiums. Travel RT contracts in Connecticut often pay $45-$62 per hour all-in. Connecticut's proximity to New York City also means some experienced RTs commute to higher-paying NYC positions while maintaining Connecticut residence.

Top Employers for Respiratory Therapists in Connecticut

• Yale New Haven Health, the state's largest health system and home to Yale New Haven Hospital, Bridgeport Hospital, and Greenwich Hospital
• Hartford HealthCare, major system anchored by Hartford Hospital and the Hospital of Central Connecticut
• Trinity Health of New England, Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center
• Connecticut Children's Medical Center (Hartford), high NICU and PICU RT demand
• VA Connecticut Healthcare System (West Haven)
• Home health and home oxygen providers, serving Connecticut's large senior population
• Sleep and pulmonology clinics, high concentration in Fairfield County's suburban healthcare corridor