How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Alaska (2026): No State License Required

By Athena KanUpdated May 20, 2026

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Alaska is the only state in the country that does not require respiratory therapists to hold a state-issued license. That distinction shapes the entire path into this career here. Instead of applying through a state licensing board, respiratory therapists in Alaska must complete an accredited degree program and earn a national credential from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC), which employers across the state treat as the hiring standard. The median annual salary for respiratory therapists in Alaska is $94,210 as of May 2024, placing it among the top 10 highest-paying states for this profession.

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Key Points

Alaska does not require a state-issued license for respiratory therapists, making it the only state in the U.S. without a formal licensure requirement for this profession.
Employers throughout Alaska, including Providence Alaska Medical Center and Alaska Regional Hospital, require national certification from the NBRC as a condition of hiring.
The median annual salary for respiratory therapists in Alaska is $94,210, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data from May 2024.
Accredited respiratory therapy programs are available in online, hybrid, and in-person formats, giving Alaska residents flexibility in how they complete their degree.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 12% employment growth for respiratory therapists nationally between 2024 and 2034, with approximately 8,800 openings per year.

How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Alaska

Because Alaska has no state licensing board for respiratory therapists, the credentialing process here is driven entirely by education and national certification. The steps below reflect what Alaska employers actually require when hiring.

Step 1: Meet the Basic Requirements

You must be at least 18 years old and hold a high school diploma or equivalent before starting a respiratory therapy program. Most accredited programs also require prerequisite coursework in anatomy, physiology, chemistry, and math.

If you are considering respiratory therapy and want to compare training programs by cost, format, and schedule, search for respiratory therapist programs on Dreambound to see what is currently available.

Step 2: Complete an Accredited Respiratory Therapy Program

Earning an associate or bachelor's degree from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) is the educational foundation for this career. These programs combine classroom instruction in anatomy, pharmacology, pathophysiology, and cardiopulmonary science with supervised clinical rotations in hospitals and other care settings.

CoARC-accredited programs are offered in several formats, including fully in-person, hybrid, and online options with in-person clinical components. When choosing a program, the most important factors are CoARC accreditation, the availability of clinical rotation sites in your area, and whether the program prepares graduates for both the CRT and RRT credentialing exams. Dreambound lists accredited respiratory therapy programs that you can filter by format, cost, and schedule to find one that works for your situation.

An associate degree typically takes two years to complete. Bachelor's degree programs take four years and are increasingly preferred by hospitals for advancement into supervisory, education, or specialized clinical roles.

Step 3: Earn Your National Certification

After graduating from a CoARC-accredited program, you must earn a credential from the NBRC. This is the step that replaces state licensure in Alaska. Every hospital system in the state, from Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage to Bartlett Regional Hospital in Juneau, requires NBRC certification as a baseline for employment.

The NBRC currently offers two credentials. The Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) is the entry-level credential, earned by passing the Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) Examination. The Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) is the advanced credential and the one most hospitals prefer. To earn the RRT under the current system, you must achieve a high cut score on the TMC and then pass the Clinical Simulation Exam (CSE).

A major change takes effect in January 2027. The NBRC is replacing the TMC and CSE with a single Respiratory Therapy Examination. This new exam will consist of 185 multiple-choice questions taken over four hours, with two distinct cut scores determining whether you earn the CRT or RRT. The CSE will remain available through December 2027 only for candidates who passed the TMC at the high cut score before January 1, 2027. If you are planning to take your credentialing exams in 2027 or later, you will sit for the new single exam.

Step 4: Understand Alaska's Regulatory Environment

Alaska does not issue a respiratory therapy license through a state board. According to the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC), Alaska is the sole state without this requirement. The state does expect proof that you have completed a respiratory therapy degree from an accredited program, and legislative discussions about establishing formal licensure have occurred, but no system is in place as of 2026.

What this means in practice is that your NBRC credential is your license. Employers in Alaska will not hire you without it. There is no state application, no state fee, and no state continuing education mandate tied to a license. However, maintaining your NBRC credential does require ongoing continuing competency, and many Alaska employers have their own internal continuing education requirements.

Step 5: Start Your Career in Alaska

Respiratory therapists in Alaska work across the state's hospital systems, clinics, home healthcare agencies, and long-term care facilities. Major employers hiring respiratory therapists in Alaska include Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage, Alaska Regional Hospital (part of HCA Healthcare) in Anchorage, Mat-Su Regional Medical Center in Palmer, Bartlett Regional Hospital in Juneau, PeaceHealth in Ketchikan, Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna, and the SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) in Sitka.

Alaska's geography creates demand in rural and remote communities that larger states do not experience to the same degree. Facilities operated by tribal health organizations, such as the Arctic Slope Native Association in Barrow and SEARHC across Southeast Alaska, regularly hire respiratory therapists to serve communities with limited access to specialists. Travel respiratory therapy assignments are also common in Alaska and often come with higher pay rates and housing stipends.

Many hospital positions require the RRT credential, Basic Life Support (BLS) certification, and at least one year of acute care experience. Some critical care and neonatal roles also require Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), or Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certification.

Respiratory Therapist Salary and Job Outlook in Alaska

The median annual wage for respiratory therapists in Alaska was $94,210, as of May 2024 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That figure places Alaska among the 10 highest-paying states for this occupation. The national median for comparison is $80,450.

Nationally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 12% employment growth for respiratory therapists between 2024 and 2034, well above the 3% average for all occupations. That growth translates to roughly 8,800 job openings per year across the country. Growth in the older adult population and rising prevalence of chronic respiratory conditions such as COPD and pneumonia are the primary demand drivers.

Thinking about pursuing a respiratory therapy career in Alaska? Browse respiratory therapist training programs on Dreambound to compare options by cost, length, and format.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a license to work as a respiratory therapist in Alaska?

No. Alaska is the only U.S. state that does not require a state-issued license for respiratory therapists. You must, however, hold a national credential from the NBRC, either the CRT or the RRT, because Alaska employers universally require it for hiring. The state does expect proof of completing an accredited respiratory therapy degree program.

How long does it take to become a respiratory therapist?

An associate degree in respiratory therapy takes approximately two years to complete, and a bachelor's degree takes about four years. After graduating, you will need additional time to prepare for and pass the NBRC credentialing exam before you can begin working. Browse respiratory therapist programs on Dreambound to compare timelines and formats.

How much do respiratory therapists make in Alaska?

The median annual salary is $94,210 as of May 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Alaska ranks among the top 10 highest-paying states for this profession. Pay can vary based on location within the state, employer, experience level, and whether the position is in a remote or urban facility.

What changes are coming to the NBRC credentialing exam?

Starting in January 2027, the NBRC will replace the current Therapist Multiple-Choice Examination and Clinical Simulation Exam with a single Respiratory Therapy Examination. This new exam will use 185 multiple-choice questions over four hours, with two cut scores that determine whether a candidate earns the CRT or RRT credential. The CSE will remain available through December 2027 only for candidates who already passed the TMC at the high cut score before the transition.

Alaska's combination of competitive pay, strong hospital demand across both urban and rural facilities, and the simplified credentialing process (no state license application, no state renewal fees) makes it one of the more straightforward states to begin a respiratory therapy career. The $94,210 median salary and consistent hiring at facilities from Anchorage to Sitka reflect a market where qualified therapists are valued.

If you are ready to take the first step, compare respiratory therapist training programs on Dreambound to find one that fits your budget, schedule, and goals.

Learn more about respiratory therapy and related career paths: