How to Get Your Respiratory Therapist License in Washington DC (2026)

How to Become a Licensed Respiratory Therapist in Washington DC

Washington DC is home to a dense concentration of research hospitals, federal medical facilities, and nationally recognized health systems, making it one of the more competitive but rewarding respiratory therapy markets in the country. RTs here work in ICUs and NICUs at academic medical centers, specialty pulmonology programs, and at federal facilities including the NIH Clinical Center and military hospitals. Here is the complete DC licensure roadmap for 2026.

Step 1: Complete an Accredited Respiratory Therapy Program

Washington DC has limited in-state RT programs, most DC-practicing RTs complete training at CoARC-accredited programs in Virginia or Maryland and apply for a DC license. Your program must be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).

The standard credential is the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Respiratory Therapy (two years). Bachelor's programs (BSRT) are available at regional institutions including those in the Virginia and Maryland suburbs, and are increasingly preferred by GWU Hospital and MedStar Georgetown for leadership tracks. The DC market's emphasis on research and academic medicine makes BSRT graduates particularly competitive.

Step 2: Pass the NBRC Examinations

DC licensure 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

DC requires the RRT for full licensure. CRT alone is not sufficient for an unrestricted DC RT license.

Step 3: Apply for Your DC License

RT licensure in Washington DC is administered by DC Health HRLA (Health Regulation and Licensing Administration). The application includes:

• Completed HRLA RT application form
• License fee of approximately $100-$150
• Official NBRC RRT credential verification
• Criminal background check
• Proof of CoARC program graduation

Because DC does not participate in the national RT licensure compact, RTs licensed in Virginia or Maryland must apply for a separate DC license if they intend to work within DC borders. This is an important consideration for the many RTs who work across the DC-Virginia-Maryland tri-jurisdiction area.

Continuing Education Requirements

DC requires 30 CE hours every two years for license renewal. AARC-approved education, NBRC specialty exam preparation, and accredited online programs all qualify. Confirm current approved CE categories on the DC Health website before each renewal cycle.

CRT vs. RRT: Which Do You Need in Washington DC?

DC requires the RRT for full unrestricted licensure. CRT alone is not accepted. The DC academic medical centers, MedStar Georgetown, GWU Hospital, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, all require RRT as a hiring standard for clinical RT positions, particularly in the ICU and NICU settings where DC facilities are especially active.

Washington DC Respiratory Therapist Salary Ranges

DC RTs benefit from one of the highest cost-of-living-adjusted markets on the East Coast. Staff RTs typically earn $68,000-$95,000 per year, with positions at academic medical centers and the NIH Clinical Center at the upper end. ICU, NICU, and ECMO-specialized RTs command the highest rates in the market. Travel RT contracts placed in DC typically pay $48-$65 per hour all-in. RTs holding tri-state (DC/VA/MD) licenses maximize their market flexibility and can access positions across the entire DC metro area.

Top Employers for Respiratory Therapists in Washington DC

• MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, academic medical center with significant ICU and NICU RT programs
• MedStar Washington Hospital Center, the region's largest adult hospital by bed count
• George Washington University Hospital, major academic medical center in the heart of DC
• Children's National Hospital, nationally ranked pediatric center with high NICU and PICU RT demand
• Howard University Hospital, historically Black academic medical center
• NIH Clinical Center (Bethesda, MD), federal research hospital with unique specialty RT positions
• VA Medical Center (Washington DC)
• Home health and home oxygen providers, serving DC's large urban and senior patient population