Respiratory Therapist CEU Requirements by State (All 50 States)
Finding accurate, up-to-date Continuing Education Unit (CEU) requirements for Respiratory Therapists is often a frustrating exercise in navigating broken government links and outdated PDF summaries. State Boards frequently update administrative codes, and the distinction between national credentialing and state licensing often leads to non-compliance.
This guide serves as the single source of truth for Respiratory Therapist CEU requirements by state. It aggregates disparate data into a unified framework, allowing RRTs and CRTs to identify their specific renewal obligations, distinguish between "Live" and "Self-Study" mandates, and access AARC-approved courses immediately.
Understanding RT Licensure vs. Credentialing
Key Takeaway: Maintaining your NBRC credential does not automatically satisfy your State Board license renewal. These are two distinct legal and professional obligations with different cycles and audit requirements.
NBRC vs. State Boards: What is the Difference?
The National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) is the credentialing body that issues professional designations (CRT, RRT), whereas State Boards of Respiratory Care are government agencies that grant the legal authority to practice within a specific jurisdiction.
While the NBRC’s Credential Maintenance Program (CMP) requires 30 hours every five years (or quarterly assessments), State Boards typically require renewal every two years (biennial). Crucially, a course accepted by the NBRC is almost always accepted by state boards if it carries AARC (American Association for Respiratory Care) approval, but the reverse is not always true.
The CE Place provides courses that are AARC-approved, ensuring they count toward both your NBRC credential maintenance and your state license renewal simultaneously.
Quick Reference: CEU Hours and Cycles by State
The following table outlines the core requirements for all 50 states. Note that "Live" hours often include interactive webinars, while "Ethics" and "Safety" refer to mandatory specific topics.
| State | Total Hours Required | Renewal Cycle | Special Requirements / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 24 Hours | Biennial | 12 hours must be "Traditional" (Live/Interactive). |
| Alaska | N/A | N/A | Currently relies on NBRC credential maintenance. |
| Arizona | 20 Hours | Biennial | 5 hours of Live/Interactive required; 2 hours ethics. |
| Arkansas | 12 Hours | Annual | — |
| California | 30 Hours | Biennial | Requires RCP Leadership or Law/Ethics course. |
| Colorado | N/A | Biennial | DORA requires maintenance of NBRC credential. |
| Connecticut | 10 Hours | Annual | 5 hours Live/Interactive required. |
| Delaware | 20 Hours | Biennial | Uses the NBRC CMP guidelines. |
| Florida | 24 Hours | Biennial | Strict mandates: Medical Errors (2 hrs), Laws/Rules (2 hrs). |
| Georgia | 30 Hours | Biennial | All 30 hours can be AARC-approved self-study. |
| Hawaii | N/A | Triennial | Currently relies on NBRC credential maintenance. |
| Idaho | 12 Hours | Annual or Biennial | All hours must be CRCE (AARC) approved. |
| Illinois | 24 Hours | Biennial | 1 hour of Ethics; 1 hour of Sexual Harassment Prevention. |
| Indiana | 15 Hours | Biennial | All hours can be self-study. |
| Iowa | 24 Hours | Biennial | Mandatory Reporter training required every 5 years. |
| Kansas | 12 Hours | Annual | Max of 6 hours self-study. |
| Kentucky | 24 Hours | Biennial | All hours must be AARC or AMA approved. |
| Louisiana | 10 Hours | Annual | — |
| Maine | N/A | Annual | Focus on clinical application. |
| Maryland | 16 Hours | Biennial | 8 hours must be Live/Interactive. |
| Massachusetts | 20 Hours | Biennial | Max 6 hours of self-study. |
| Michigan | N/A | Biennial | Implicit Bias Training; Human Trafficking Training. |
| Minnesota | 24 Hours | Biennial | All hours can be self-study. |
| Mississippi | 20 Hours | Biennial | All hours can be self-study. |
| Missouri | 24 Hours | Biennial | 12 hours must be Live/Interactive. |
| Montana | 24 Hours | Biennial | All hours can be self-study. |
| Nebraska | 20 Hours | Biennial | All hours can be self-study. |
| Nevada | 20 Hours | Biennial | 2 hours Ethics; 10 hours must be Live. |
| New Hampshire | 12 Hours | Biennial | 6 hours must be clinical application. |
| New Jersey | 30 Hours | Biennial | 1 hour Patient Safety; 1 hour Ethics; 1 hour Infection Control. |
| New Mexico | 20 Hours | Biennial | All hours must be CRCE approved. |
| New York | 30 Hours | Triennial | 15 hours must be Live/Interactive. |
| North Carolina | 12 Hours | Annual | 6 hours max self-study. |
| North Dakota | 10 Hours | Annual | All hours can be self-study. |
| Ohio | 20 Hours | Biennial | 1 hour Ohio Law & Rules; 1 hour Ethics. |
| Oklahoma | 12 Hours | Biennial | All hours can be self-study. |
| Oregon | 7 Hours | Annual | 1 hour of Cultural Competency biennially |
| Pennsylvania | 30 Hours | Biennial | 1 hour Patient Safety; 1 hour Ethics; 2 hours Child Abuse Reporting. |
| Rhode Island | 12 Hours | Biennial | All hours can be self-study. |
| South Carolina | 30 Hours | Biennial | 15 hours must be Live/Interactive. |
| South Dakota | 20 Hours | Biennial | All hours can be self-study. |
| Tennessee | 12 Hours | Annual | Max 7 hours of self-study; 1 hour patient safety and 1 hour ethics required. |
| Texas | 24 Hours | Biennial | 12 hours must be Traditional (Live); 2 hours Ethics. |
| Utah | N/A | Biennial | — |
| Vermont | 12 Hours | Biennial | 6 hours max self-study. |
| Virginia | 20 Hours | Biennial | All hours can be self-study. |
| Washington | 30 Hours | Biennial | All hours can be self-study. |
| West Virginia | 20 Hours | Biennial | 10 hours must be Live/Interactive. |
| Wisconsin | N/A | Biennial | Currently relies on NBRC credential maintenance. |
Live vs. Self-Study: Navigating the Formats
A primary source of confusion for Respiratory Therapists is the definition of "Live" versus "Self-Study" CEUs. State boards use varying terminology, such as "Traditional," "Interactive," "Non-Traditional," or "Distance Learning."
Live Interactive CEUs are defined as educational activities where the learner has the ability to interact with the instructor in real-time. Historically, this meant physical attendance at a conference. However, most State Boards now classify live webinars as "Live" or "Traditional" hours.
Traditional Self-Study refers to asynchronous learning where the material is reviewed at the learner's pace, followed by a post-course examination. The CE Place specializes in this format.
The Strategic Advantage of Self-Study
For states that do not have a "Live" requirement (or for the portion of hours that allow it), self-study offers distinct advantages:
- Cost Efficiency: State bundles are significantly cheaper than conference travel and registration fees.
- Audit Safety: Digital certificates from AARC-approved providers are instantly retrievable and formatted for board audits.
- Pacing: Courses can be paused and resumed to fit around 12-hour shifts.
Comprehensive State-by-State Breakdown
Below is a detailed analysis of states with high licensee populations or complex requirements.
California Respiratory Care Requirements
The Respiratory Care Board of California enforces one of the strictest continuing education mandates in the country. Failure to comply often results in immediate citation and fines.
- Total Hours: 30 Hours every 2 years.
- Mandatory Topics:
- Ethics/Law: Must include a specific course on RCP leadership or professional ethics.
- Credentialing: 15 hours must be directly related to clinical practice (AARC Category 1).
- Live Requirement: California allows a significant portion to be self-study, provided the courses are AARC-approved.
- Official Link: Respiratory Care Board of California
Florida Respiratory Care Requirements
Florida RRTs operate under the Florida Board of Respiratory Care, which utilizes the CE Broker system for tracking.
- Total Hours: 24 Hours every 2 years.
- Mandatory Topics:
- Medical Errors: 2 Hours (Must be a Board-approved course).
- Florida Laws and Rules: 2 Hours.
- HIV/AIDS: 1 Hour (Required for first renewal only).
- Delivery Format: Florida allows non-traditional (self-study) modes for the majority of hours, provided they are from approved providers like The CE Place.
- Official Link: Florida Board of Respiratory Care
Ohio Respiratory Care Requirements
The State Medical Board of Ohio oversees respiratory licensing. Ohio is strict regarding the timing of the renewal cycle.
- Total Hours: 20 Hours every 2 years.
- Mandatory Topics:
- Ohio Law and Professional Ethics: 1 Hour.
- Live Requirement: Ohio generally accepts AARC-approved online courses for the entirety of the requirement, provided the content is clinically relevant.
- Official Link: State Medical Board of Ohio
Texas Respiratory Care Requirements
The Texas Medical Board requires specific courses related to public health initiatives.
- Total Hours: 24 Hours every 2 years.
- Mandatory Topics:
- Human Trafficking Prevention: Must be a Texas HHSC-approved course.
- Ethics: Recommended but not strictly capped.
- Live Requirement: Texas distinguishes between "Formal" and "Informal." Generally, 12 hours must be "Traditional" (which can often be satisfied by live webinars), while the remaining 12 can be self-study.
- Official Link: Texas Medical Board
New York Respiratory Care Requirements
The New York State Office of the Professions mandates a triennial (3-year) registration period, differing from the standard biennial cycle.
- Total Hours: 30 Hours every 3 years.
- Mandatory Topics: Infection control coursework is required every 4 years.
- Live Requirement: New York requires roughly half (15 hours) to be formal/live, while the remaining can be self-study.
- Official Link: NY Office of the Professions
Common Questions About Licensing Renewal
Which state has the most RT CEU requirements?
California has the most stringent RT CEU requirements, mandating 30 continuing education hours every 2 years for respiratory therapists. Florida ranks second with 24 hours biennially, followed by New Jersey in third place requiring 20 hours every 2 years. Requirements vary by license type and specialty, so verify current regulations with your state's respiratory care board.
Can I use CEUs from one state in another?
Yes. Most CEUs for respiratory therapy are transferable between states, particularly those approved by the AARC or other nationally recognized accrediting bodies. However, each state has specific requirements for acceptable CEUs, so you must verify with your destination state's respiratory care board to ensure your credits meet their licensing standards.
What states require live CEUs?
States with strict "Live" or "Traditional" interactive mandates include Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia. If you are licensed in these states, you cannot complete your renewal using 100% self-study modules; you must combine self-study with webinars or conferences.
Strategic Renewal Planning
Waiting until the final month of your renewal cycle to gather CEUs is a strategic error that leads to audit vulnerability. State Boards frequently audit a percentage of licensees immediately following the renewal deadline. If you rush to complete courses and accidentally select non-accredited options or miss a mandatory topic (like Ethics or Patient Safety), your license may be suspended.
The CE Place mitigates this risk by curating State Bundles specifically designed to meet the exact hour counts and topic mandates of your jurisdiction.
Next Steps:
- Verify your expiration date.
- Check the "Quick Reference" table above for your total hours.
- Select your State Bundle here to access AARC-approved, audit-proof CEUs immediately.
