How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in North Dakota – ND

By an allied health world contributing writer
Published: January, 23 2010

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Becoming a Respiratory Therapist in North Dakota

Due to the increase in respiratory ailments and cardiopulmonary diseases among older Americans and the steady increase in air pollution, the respiratory therapy field is anticipated to experience faster job growth than most occupations in the coming years. In 2006, respiratory therapists numbered 102,400 in the United States, with an expected increase of 23% by 2016.

North Dakota is showing similar job growth trends in the field of respiratory therapy, with an anticipated increase of 21% by 2016, bringing the number of respiratory therapists from 260 to 320. Most of these North Dakota respiratory therapists careeers will be in hospital settings, although the need for trained and certified respiratory therapists is growing in the home health care services field, as well as physicians’ offices and the employment services industry.

In addition to fulfilling the undergraduate requirements, North Dakota requires all respiratory therapists to obtain a license in order to work in the field. While there is no examination requirement, the National Board for Respiratory Care offers the Certified

Respiratory Therapist (CRT) exam. The CRT exam measures the basic skills and abilities of entry-level respiratory therapists. Certification requires an application, a nominal license fee, and proof of education, including college or university transcripts. Out-of-state respiratory therapists must also provide proof of certification for each state in which they were, or currently are, licensed. For more information on certification and licensing, candidates can contact the North Dakota State Board of Respiratory Care.

North Dakota State Board of Respiratory Care
PO Box 2223
Bismarck, ND 58502-2223
Phone: 701-222-1564
Fax: 701-224-9824

Nationally, respiratory therapists can earn an average of $54,000 per year. In North Dakota, the average salary is $57,000, with North Dakota’s seven largest cities ranging from $41,000 to $46,000, as shown below.

Fargo, $42,000
Bismarck, $45,000
Grand Forks, $41,000
Minot, $43,000
West Fargo, $42,000
Mandan, $46,000
Dickinson, $44,000

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