Program type
Respiratory therapy programs
Associate degree or higher
Typical length
Varies by school. Ask each program how long it takes a full-time student, including prerequisites.
Who approves it
Programs should be accredited; graduates take the national credentialing exams for CRT/RRT.
Accreditation
CoARC accredits entry-level respiratory care programs at the associate, bachelor's and master's levels.
CoARC: Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care
Recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (per CoARC).
Find accredited programsWhat to check before you enroll
- CoARC accreditation
- Credentialing exam outcomes
- Clinical sites
Where it leads
Pay: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Program finder
Searching approved programs by state and city is coming soon. Until then, use the accreditor directories above, your state board's approved list and the Department of Education's College Scorecard.
Sources
- Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care: find an accredited program
- Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (U.S. Department of Education)
Checked against these sources on Oct 1, 2026.