Job requirements Respiratory Therapist in Canada

Find out what you typically need to work as a respiratory therapist in Canada. These requirements are applicable to all Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists (NOC 32103).

Employment requirements

This is what you typically need for the job.

  • Respiratory therapists require the completion of a three-year college or university degree program in respiratory therapy, both including clinical training.
  • Licensing is required for respiratory therapists in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta.
  • A national certification for respiratory therapists is available for therapists working in Prince Edward Island, British Columbia, Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
  • In Quebec, a certificate is required for respiratory therapists to prescribe smoking cessation medication.
  • Clinical perfusionists require the completion of a respiratory therapy or registered nursing program with a minimum of one year of work experience as a respiratory therapist or registered nurse and completion of a college or university program in clinical perfusion, including clinical training.
  • Certification with the Canadian Society of Clinical Perfusion is required for clinical perfusionists.
  • Cardiopulmonary technologists require a two-year college diploma in an allied health discipline such as respiratory therapy, nursing diploma, or a university degree in a related science and completion of a college post-diploma program in cardiovascular technology and additional training in pulmonary technology through courses or supervised on-the-job clinical training.
  • Registration with the Canadian Association of Cardio-pulmonary Technologists (CACPT) may be required.

Source National Occupational Classification

Professional certification and licensing

You might need to get a certification from a regulatory authority before you start working. Find out if this occupation is regulated and contact the regulatory authority to learn about the certification process.

Alberta

Job title Pulmonary Function Technicians
Job title Respiratory Therapists

Manitoba

Job title Respiratory Therapist (registered)

New Brunswick

Job title Respiratory Therapist

Newfoundland and Labrador

Job title Respiratory Therapist

Nova Scotia

Job title Respiratory Therapist

Ontario

Job title Respiratory Therapist

Prince Edward Island

Job title Respiratory Therapist

Québec

Job title Respiratory Therapist

Saskatchewan

Job title Respiratory Therapist

Source Foreign Credential Recognition Program - ESDC

Do you want to work in another province or territory?

If you are already certified to work in a regulated occupation in your province or territory, it will be easier for you to have your certification recognized in another province or territory. See the Workers Mobility's website to learn more.

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