How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Virginia (2026)

Updated September 2, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Virginia employs about 3,340 respiratory therapists earning a median $82,910 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a Respiratory Therapist here means completing a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program, the NBRC RRT exams, and state respiratory care licensure, then applying through Department of Health Professions - Virginia Board of Medicine.

Virginia employs approximately 3,340 respiratory therapists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $82,910 1. Nationally, respiratory therapist employment is projected to grow 12.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 8,800 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Respiratory Therapist in Virginia, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Quick Answers About How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Virginia

How to become a Respiratory Therapist in Virginia? Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program, the NBRC RRT exams, and state respiratory care licensure. Apply through Department of Health Professions - Virginia Board of Medicine.

How long does it take? Most people finish a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program, the NBRC RRT exams, and state respiratory care licensure. Confirm current hour totals with the program and Department of Health Professions - Virginia Board of Medicine.

Do I need a license in Virginia? Yes. Virginia credentials this role through Department of Health Professions - Virginia Board of Medicine 3. See the licensing section below.

What do respiratory therapists earn in Virginia? The median annual wage for respiratory therapists in Virginia is $82,910 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $65,540 and experienced professionals can earn $106,470 or more 1.

How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Virginia

  1. Meet program entry rules. Respiratory therapy programs in Virginia typically require a high school diploma or GED and science prerequisites. Confirm current rules with the program.
  2. Complete a CoARC-accredited program. Enroll in a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program in Virginia, usually an associate degree. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
  3. Pass the NBRC RRT exams. Pass the NBRC Therapist Multiple-Choice exam and Clinical Simulation Exam for the RRT credential. CRT-only practice is limited; confirm with Department of Health Professions - Virginia Board of Medicine.
  4. Apply for state respiratory care licensure. Apply through Department of Health Professions - Virginia Board of Medicine before you practice. Confirm any jurisprudence or ethics exam with the board.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Respiratory Therapist License Requirements in Virginia

Respiratory therapists in Virginia complete a CoARC-accredited program, earn NBRC RRT, and apply to Department of Health Professions - Virginia Board of Medicine for an RCP or equivalent license. See Department of Health Professions - Virginia Board of Medicine 3.

Typical path

  1. Meet program entry rules.

  2. Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program.

  3. Pass the NBRC RRT exams.

  4. Apply to Department of Health Professions - Virginia Board of Medicine for state licensure.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Department of Health Professions - Virginia Board of Medicine before you enroll.

Respiratory Therapist Wages by Metro Area in Virginia

Respiratory Therapists Wages by Metro Area in Virginia

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), respiratory therapists wages in Virginia vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria1,850$101,990$100,450$79,410$127,400
Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk710$80,990$86,650$66,270$102,100
Richmond630$81,750$85,780$66,960$96,420
Roanoke190$78,820$78,800$63,460$91,160
Kingsport-Bristol170$62,740$70,190$59,880$94,410
Charlottesville120$86,720$85,660$67,860$99,820
Lynchburg120$81,470$79,320$63,360$90,670

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for respiratory therapists in Virginia? Virginia currently employs approximately 3,340 respiratory therapists 1. Nationally, respiratory therapist employment is projected to grow 12.1% from 2024 to 2034 2.

Can I work as a respiratory therapist in Virginia with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Health Professions - Virginia Board of Medicine for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

What training programs are available in Virginia? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Virginia.

How much do respiratory therapists earn in Virginia compared to the national average? The median annual wage for respiratory therapists in Virginia is $82,910, which is $2,460 above the national median of $80,450 according to BLS data 1.

In Virginia

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Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

  3. Department of Health Professions - Virginia Board of Medicine - Licensing Information: https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/Boards/Medicine/ ↩︎ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)