How to Get Your Oklahoma Respiratory Therapist License in 2026

## How to Become a Licensed Respiratory Therapist in Oklahoma Oklahoma licenses respiratory therapists through the **Oklahoma State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision (OSBMLS)**, which administers the state's respiratory care practice program alongside physician and other allied health licenses. The Oklahoma City and Tulsa markets are the primary employment centers, but a statewide network of regional hospitals and critical-access facilities creates steady demand for licensed RTs across the state. ### Step 1: Complete a CoARC-Accredited Respiratory Therapy Program Oklahoma requires graduation from a program accredited by the **Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC)**. In-state options include programs at Tulsa Community College, Rose State College (Midwest City), and Southeastern Oklahoma State University. A two-year AAS in Respiratory Therapy is the standard entry credential; a BSRT is increasingly sought by large health systems for leadership roles. Your program must cover mechanical ventilation, pulmonary function testing, neonatal and pediatric respiratory care, arterial blood gas analysis, cardiopulmonary pharmacology, and hemodynamic monitoring. Clinical rotations must include acute care settings; Oklahoma's large regional hospitals provide strong clinical training environments. ### Step 2: Pass the NBRC Examinations Oklahoma's licensure pathway is built on NBRC credentialing: - **TMC (Therapist Multiple Choice) Examination** — 160 questions spanning entry-level and advanced respiratory care competencies. High-cut score earns the **RRT** directly; low-cut score produces **CRT**. - **CSE (Clinical Simulation Examination)** — 22-scenario advanced clinical exam required for full RRT designation. Oklahoma requires the **RRT credential** for licensure. CRT holders must pass the CSE before applying to the OSBMLS. The exams are available at Pearson VUE centers in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. ### Step 3: Apply for Your Oklahoma License With your RRT credential in hand, complete the following steps with the OSBMLS: 1. Download or access the respiratory care licensure application from the OSBMLS website. 2. Pay the licensure fee (approximately **$50–$75**; verify current fees on the OSBMLS website). 3. Submit official NBRC credential verification. 4. Provide official transcripts from your CoARC-accredited program. 5. Complete a criminal background check as required. 6. Submit verification of any out-of-state licenses if applicable. Processing time is typically two to four weeks for complete applications. Oklahoma does not participate in the RT Licensure Compact at this time, requiring out-of-state practitioners to complete the full application. ### CRT vs. RRT: Which Do You Need in Oklahoma? Oklahoma requires the **RRT** for an active practice license. The CRT alone does not satisfy state licensing requirements. This standard reflects OSBMLS's alignment with the national trend toward requiring advanced credentialing as the minimum bar for independent practice. If you currently hold the CRT, prioritize the CSE before applying — you cannot legally practice respiratory care in Oklahoma without the state license, and the license requires RRT status. Specialty credentials from the NBRC (ACCS, NPS, SDS, CPFT) are not required for licensure but are highly valued by Oklahoma City and Tulsa employers, particularly for critical care and sleep lab positions. ### Continuing Education Requirements Oklahoma RTs must complete **30 continuing education hours per two-year renewal cycle**. Accepted CE categories include: - AARC-sponsored or AARC-chapter-approved educational activities - NBRC specialty examinations - Accredited college coursework in respiratory therapy or a clinically related field - Hospital-based in-service training that meets Board standards The Oklahoma Association for Respiratory Care (OKRC) coordinates the state AARC chapter and offers local CE events, annual conferences, and online modules. Retain CE certificates for potential audit review. ### Oklahoma Respiratory Therapist Salary Ranges Oklahoma RT salaries are competitive relative to the state's cost of living: - **Entry-level RRT (0–2 years):** $52,000–$62,000/year - **Mid-career (3–7 years):** $60,000–$72,000/year - **Senior/Lead RT (8+ years):** $70,000–$82,000/year - **Critical care / NICU premium:** add $3,000–$6,000/year - **Travel RT contracts in Oklahoma:** $1,700–$2,300/week Oklahoma City tends to pay slightly more than Tulsa due to the concentration of major health systems; rural positions often include sign-on bonuses and housing assistance. ### Top Employers Oklahoma's RT job market is anchored by several large systems and regional facilities: - **OU Health (University of Oklahoma Medical Center)** — Oklahoma City's primary academic medical center and a level I trauma center. Employs large numbers of RTs across adult critical care, NICU, and pulmonary rehabilitation. A key site for new graduates given robust orientation programs. - **Mercy Health (Oklahoma City & Ardmore)** — Regional system with strong clinical programs and competitive benefits; major employer in the northwest OKC and western Oklahoma markets. - **SSM Health** — Operates St. Anthony Hospital in OKC; growing system with multiple market presence across the state. - **Saint Francis Health System (Tulsa)** — The dominant large-hospital system in Tulsa, with consistent RT hiring and strong NICU programs. - **Ascension St. John (Tulsa)** — Competing Tulsa system with level II trauma and cardiac surgery programs that create sustained RT demand. Oklahoma's steady population growth and high rates of smoking-related and occupational lung disease make respiratory care one of the more stable allied health career paths in the state.