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

## How to Become a Licensed Respiratory Therapist in Wisconsin Wisconsin regulates respiratory therapists through the Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS), the state agency responsible for a wide range of healthcare and trade professional licenses. Wisconsin is notable among states for having one of the highest continuing education requirements for RT license renewal — 40 hours per 2-year cycle — so understanding the ongoing obligations before you enter the state is important. Here is the complete 2026 guide. ### Step 1: Complete a CoARC-Accredited Respiratory Therapy Program Wisconsin has a strong network of CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy programs, particularly through the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS), which includes programs at multiple technical colleges across the state. University-level programs are also available for candidates seeking a Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy. All Wisconsin-based CoARC programs can be verified at coarc.com. The AAS degree is the standard entry pathway; BS programs are available and offer advantages for candidates interested in management, clinical education, or academic medical center specialty roles. Milwaukee and Madison are the dominant healthcare markets, with major academic medical centers operating sophisticated critical care and specialty RT departments. Candidates who complete clinical rotations in these facilities often have a hiring advantage in those markets post-graduation. ### Step 2: Pass the NBRC Examinations Wisconsin requires the RRT credential for state licensure. The NBRC pathway consists of two exams: **Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) Examination:** Taken after graduation from your CoARC program, the TMC assesses clinical knowledge across all respiratory care domains. You must achieve the "RRT cut score" — the higher passing threshold — to be eligible for the CSE. **Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE):** The CSE evaluates clinical reasoning through branching patient scenario simulations. Passing both the TMC at the RRT level and the CSE earns you the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential from the NBRC. Wisconsin does not issue a state license based on the CRT credential alone. The full RRT is required for licensure. Schedule your exams promptly after graduation at nbrc.org — most Wisconsin employers require the RRT before finalizing a job offer. ### Step 3: Apply for Your Wisconsin License With your RRT credential in hand, you apply to the Wisconsin DSPS for your RT license. Applications are processed through the DSPS online portal. **Wisconsin RT license application requirements:** - Completed application through the DSPS eLicensing portal (dsps.wi.gov) - NBRC primary-source verification of your RRT credential - Official transcripts from your CoARC-accredited program - Application fee of approximately $75–$100 (verify current fee schedule on the DSPS website) - Disclosure of prior disciplinary or criminal history DSPS processing times are generally 4–8 weeks for complete applications. Applications with any disclosure items requiring Board review may take longer. Out-of-state RTs licensed in reciprocal states may be eligible for expedited endorsement processing. Confirm reciprocity status with DSPS before applying — Wisconsin has broad endorsement provisions for healthcare professionals holding comparable out-of-state licenses. ### CRT vs. RRT: Which Do You Need in Wisconsin? Wisconsin requires the **RRT** for state licensure. There is no CRT-level Wisconsin RT license. This is consistent with the expectations of major Wisconsin employers — UW Health, Froedtert, Children's Wisconsin, and Aspirus all list RRT as a minimum hiring requirement, and specialty positions in critical care or NICU require additional NBRC credentials on top of the RRT. Candidates who have passed the TMC at the CRT cut score but have not yet passed the CSE are not eligible for Wisconsin licensure. The CSE should be your immediate priority if this applies to you. ### Continuing Education Requirements Wisconsin has one of the highest RT CE requirements in the country. License renewal requires **40 contact hours of continuing education** per 2-year renewal cycle — significantly above the 20–30 hour requirements common in most other states. Acceptable CE sources include: - AARC-approved CE programs and Wisconsin Society for Respiratory Care (WSRC) events and annual conference - Hospital in-service education with documented credit - Online CE from NBRC-recognized or AARC-recognized providers - Accredited academic coursework in respiratory care or related fields - NBRC specialty examination preparation programs that carry CE credit Given the 40-hour requirement, planning your CE activities proactively is important. Spreading CE evenly across the 2-year renewal cycle is easier than trying to accumulate all 40 hours in the final months before renewal. The AARC's online CE library and WSRC conference sessions are popular sources for meeting Wisconsin's higher CE obligation. There are no specific mandatory subject-matter requirements for Wisconsin RT CE as of 2026, but verify with DSPS before each renewal cycle, as requirements can be updated through legislative or regulatory action. ### Wisconsin Respiratory Therapist Salary Ranges Wisconsin's RT salaries are competitive for the Midwest, with Milwaukee and Madison commanding the highest wages in the state. **Milwaukee / Southeastern Wisconsin:** - Entry-level RRT: $56,000–$66,000/year - Mid-career staff RT (3–7 years): $64,000–$76,000/year - Senior/specialty RT (ACCS, ECMO, NPS): $72,000–$86,000/year - Travel RT in Milwaukee market: $1,800–$2,400/week all-in **Madison / Dane County:** - Entry-level RRT: $55,000–$65,000/year - Mid-career RT: $63,000–$75,000/year - Senior RT: $70,000–$84,000/year **Green Bay / Fox Valley / Northern Wisconsin:** - Entry-level RRT: $50,000–$60,000/year - Mid-career RT: $58,000–$70,000/year Wisconsin's cost of living is moderate — particularly outside Milwaukee — which makes the effective purchasing power of these wages favorable relative to comparable salaries in higher-cost coastal markets. ### Top Employers **UW Health / University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics (Madison)** — Wisconsin's flagship academic medical center is one of the state's top RT employers. UW Health operates advanced critical care, ECMO, transplant, and pediatric programs with significant specialty RT staffing. It is a common destination for new graduates seeking academic medical center experience. **Froedtert Health / Froedtert Hospital (Milwaukee)** — Froedtert is Milwaukee's dominant academic medical center (affiliated with the Medical College of Wisconsin) and one of Wisconsin's highest-acuity RT environments. The RT department is active in critical care, ECMO, and cardiothoracic surgery support. **Children's Wisconsin (Milwaukee)** — The state's premier pediatric health system, Children's Wisconsin operates the largest NICU and pediatric critical care programs in the state. Neonatal and pediatric RT positions here require NPS credentials and competitive applicants. **Ascension Wisconsin (Milwaukee/Waukesha/Fox Valley)** — Ascension operates a large multi-hospital network across southeastern Wisconsin and employs RTs across a range of acute care settings from community hospital to tertiary care. **Aspirus Health (Wausau/Northern Wisconsin)** — Aspirus serves the Northwoods and central Wisconsin markets, offering RT positions across its network of hospitals. It is a significant employer for RTs who prefer rural or mid-size market settings. **Aurora Health Care / Advocate Aurora (Southeast Wisconsin)** — The Advocate Aurora system (following the Illinois-Wisconsin merger) is one of the largest health systems in the state and employs RTs at multiple southeastern Wisconsin campuses.