New York Respiratory Therapist License 2026: Step-by-Step Guide

How to Become a Licensed Respiratory Therapist in New York

New York State requires respiratory therapists to hold a state license issued by the New York State Education Department (NYSED) through its Office of the Professions. New York has one of the most active RT job markets in the country — anchored by NYC's massive health systems but extending to Hudson Valley, Western New York, the Capital Region, and beyond. This 2026 guide covers every step from education through licensure, including New York's unique three-year CE cycle.

Step 1: Complete a CoARC-Accredited Respiratory Therapy Program

New York has an extensive network of CoARC-accredited programs. Notable options include CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC), Stony Brook University's School of Health Professions, SUNY Erie Community College (Buffalo), Hudson Valley Community College (Troy), and Molloy University. Programs range from AAS to bachelor's-level curricula.

NYC-area programs offer unmatched clinical exposure — rotations at Level I trauma centers, cardiac surgery units, NICUs, and specialized respiratory units in some of the highest-volume hospitals in the world. New York's sheer density of clinical sites means students develop broad and deep competencies during their CoARC training.

Step 2: Pass the NBRC Examinations

New York requires NBRC credentials for all RT license applicants:

• TMC Exam — Pearson VUE-administered. A CRT cut score earns the CRT credential; the higher RRT cut score plus passing the CSE earns the RRT.
• Clinical Simulation Exam (CSE) — Required for the RRT pathway.

New York requires the RRT credential for licensure. Pearson VUE has numerous testing centers throughout New York State. After passing, use your NBRC account to request official credential verification for the NYSED application.

Step 3: Apply for Your New York License

Apply through the NYSED Office of the Professions at op.nysed.gov. New York's application process is notably thorough:

• Official transcript from your CoARC-accredited program sent directly to NYSED
• NBRC official credential verification confirming active RRT credential
• Completed NYSED application with character and fitness disclosure
• Application fee of approximately $70–$115 — confirm exact current fee at op.nysed.gov as the fee structure can vary by registration period

NYSED processing can take four to eight weeks or longer at peak times. New York does offer a limited practice permit in some circumstances while the full application is being reviewed; ask NYSED about current availability when you submit.

For applicants licensed in other states, New York offers a licensure by endorsement pathway. You must still meet New York's CE requirements (including the infection control mandate described below) within the first registration period.

CRT vs. RRT: Which Do You Need in New York?

New York requires the RRT credential for state licensure. The CRT credential alone does not satisfy New York's licensing statute. Given the complexity of respiratory practice in New York — which includes some of the world's busiest Level I trauma centers and transplant programs — the RRT standard reflects the clinical baseline expected of licensed RTs across the state.

Continuing Education Requirements

New York has a distinctive CE structure: license holders must complete 30 hours of continuing education every three years (not the more common two-year cycle used in most states). This three-year registration period is a defining feature of New York's RT licensing framework.

Importantly, New York mandates a specific component within the 30 hours: a course on infection control and barrier precautions as defined by NYSED. This must be completed in every registration period. The infection control requirement is strictly enforced.

Other acceptable CE includes:

• AARC-approved programs and modules
• New York State Society for Respiratory Care (NYSSRC) chapter events and the annual NYSSRC conference
• Hospital-based in-service education (verify NYSED acceptance for the specific format)
• NBRC Continuing Competency activities

Document all CE hours carefully and retain proof of the mandatory infection control course. NYSED audits CE compliance and the infection control component is a common audit focus.

New York Respiratory Therapist Salary Ranges

New York is one of the highest-paying states for RTs, with significant variation by region:

• Entry-level (0–2 years): $60,000–$74,000/year
• Mid-career (3–8 years): $74,000–$90,000/year
• Senior/specialty RTs (NYC metro): $90,000–$105,000/year
• Travel RT (13-week contracts in NY): $2,500–$3,500/week all-in (NYC premium)

NYC and Long Island dominate the upper salary range. Hudson Valley and the Capital Region (Albany area) pay meaningfully above the national median but below NYC. Western New York (Buffalo/Rochester) is competitive with the national average. Upstate rural positions typically offer sign-on incentives.

Top Employers

• NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital — One of the nation's busiest academic medical centers (affiliated with Weill Cornell and Columbia medical schools); multiple campuses with hundreds of RT positions across ICU, NICU, cardiac, and subspecialty units.
• Montefiore Health System (Bronx) — Major academic system serving one of the Bronx's highest-acuity patient populations; strong RT demand with subspecialty programs in ECMO, pulmonary hypertension, and advanced ventilator management.
• Northwell Health (Long Island/Queens/Staten Island) — New York's largest health system by revenue; operates Lenox Hill Hospital, Long Island Jewish Medical Center, and numerous other facilities — a major RT employer statewide.
• NYC Health + Hospitals — The nation's largest municipal health system; operates Bellevue, Elmhurst, Lincoln, and 9 other hospitals serving NYC's safety-net population.
• University at Buffalo / ECMC (Buffalo) — Western New York's academic referral system; Erie County Medical Center is the region's Level I trauma center with a large RT department.