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

How to Become a Licensed Respiratory Therapist in Vermont

Vermont is a small state with a strong need for respiratory therapists, especially in rural and critical access hospital settings. The state licenses RTs through the Vermont Office of Professional Regulation (OPR), and the process is straightforward if you have your NBRC credentials in hand. This guide walks you through every step.

Step 1: Complete a CoARC-Accredited Respiratory Therapy Program

Your pathway to Vermont licensure starts with graduating from a respiratory therapy program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC). Vermont does not have an in-state CoARC-accredited RT program as of 2026, which means most Vermont RTs graduate from programs in neighboring states, particularly New Hampshire, Massachusetts, or New York, or complete accredited online/hybrid programs.

Programs typically take 2 years for an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Respiratory Therapy. Some universities offer 4-year Bachelor of Science degrees, which provide additional career mobility and are increasingly preferred by major employers in critical care and leadership tracks.

Before you graduate, verify your program is listed on CoARC's accredited program directory at coarc.com. Vermont's OPR will not accept a license application from a graduate of a non-CoARC-accredited program.

Step 2: Pass the NBRC Examinations

The National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) credentials respiratory therapists nationally, and Vermont requires NBRC certification as the basis for state licensure.

Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) Examination: This is the first exam you'll sit for after graduating. It tests your entry-level clinical knowledge across all respiratory care domains. Passing at the "CRT cut score" earns you the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credential. Passing at the higher "RRT cut score" on the same exam qualifies you to proceed to the Clinical Simulation Examination.

Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE): This exam tests your ability to manage complex patient scenarios in a branching, decision-tree format. Passing the CSE, combined with the RRT-level TMC score, earns you the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential.

Vermont requires the RRT credential for licensure. If you have only your CRT, you are not yet eligible to apply for a Vermont license. You must pass the CSE first.

Schedule your NBRC exams at nbrc.org. Exam fees are approximately $190 for the TMC and $200 for the CSE (subject to change). Many programs include NBRC exam prep as part of their curriculum.

Step 3: Apply for Your Vermont License

With your RRT credential in hand, you apply to the Vermont Office of Professional Regulation's RT licensing division. The OPR handles licensure for a wide range of healthcare professions in Vermont and processes applications through its online licensing portal.

Application requirements include:

• Completed application form (available at sos.vermont.gov/opr)
• Copy of your NBRC RRT certificate (or official verification from NBRC)
• Official transcripts from your CoARC-accredited program
• Application fee of approximately $75-$100 (confirm current fee on the OPR website, as fees are subject to legislative adjustment)
• Any applicable background disclosure questions

Processing times vary; plan for 4-6 weeks from submission to license issuance, especially if any verification steps require follow-up. You cannot practice as a licensed RT in Vermont until your license is issued, the state does not issue temporary permits.

If you are already licensed in another state, Vermont participates in endorsement licensing. Submit your primary-state license verification through the OPR portal along with your NBRC documentation and fee.

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

Vermont requires the RRT credential for state licensure. The CRT-only pathway is not sufficient to obtain a Vermont RT license. This is consistent with the trend across most states toward requiring the higher credential, reflecting the increasingly complex acuity of patients receiving respiratory care.

In practice, Vermont employers, particularly the larger hospitals, have required RRT for years before it became the formal statutory standard. If you currently hold a CRT and are interested in practicing in Vermont, your immediate priority should be scheduling the Clinical Simulation Examination.

Continuing Education Requirements

Vermont respiratory therapist licenses are renewed on a biennial (2-year) cycle. License renewal requires 20 contact hours of continuing education completed during the preceding license period.

CE activities can include:

• Approved CE courses through the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) or state affiliates
• Hospital in-service programs with documented CE credit
• Online CE modules through NBRC-recognized providers
• Academic coursework relevant to respiratory care

Vermont does not currently mandate specific CE topic areas for RT license renewal (unlike some states that require infection control or opioid training), but requirements can change with each legislative cycle. Always verify current CE requirements on the OPR website before your renewal date.

Licenses that lapse due to non-renewal may require additional documentation or re-examination depending on the length of lapse.

Vermont Respiratory Therapist Salary Ranges

Vermont's respiratory therapist salaries are competitive for a rural New England state, though they run somewhat below the compensation seen in larger metro markets in neighboring states.

Typical ranges in Vermont (2026 estimates):

• Entry-level / new graduate RRT: $52,000-$62,000/year
• Mid-career staff RT (3-7 years): $60,000-$72,000/year
• Senior/lead RT or specialty-certified (ACCS, NPS, SDS): $70,000-$82,000/year
• Travel RT assignments in Vermont: $1,800-$2,400/week all-in (facility rates reflect rural premium)

Vermont's cost of living is moderate relative to coastal New England, making the effective purchasing power of these wages reasonable. Burlington is the largest metro and commands the highest wages in the state; rural counties pay somewhat less but often offer housing benefits or loan repayment programs through critical access hospital networks.

Top Employers

Vermont's respiratory therapy market is concentrated among a small number of health systems:

University of Vermont Medical Center (Burlington), The state's only academic medical center and Level I trauma center, UVM Medical Center is Vermont's largest RT employer. It offers the full range of specialty RT positions including ECMO support, neonatal/pediatric RT, and pulmonary function testing.

Central Vermont Medical Center (Berlin), CVMC is part of the UVM Health Network and serves the central Vermont region. It employs RTs in ICU, ED, and general floor coverage roles.

Northwestern Medical Center (St. Albans) and Gifford Medical Center (Randolph). These smaller critical access hospitals periodically hire staff and travel RTs, particularly for night/weekend coverage given their lean staffing models.

Travel RT market: Vermont's rural hospital network creates consistent demand for travel respiratory therapists, particularly during respiratory virus season (October-April). If you are a licensed RRT with 1+ years of ICU or ED experience, Vermont travel assignments are regularly available through major staffing agencies.