Respiratory Therapy
License Requirements

Georgia Respiratory Therapy CE Requirements

30 Hours every 2 years - Total CE requirement for license renewal

• Total Requirement: 30 contact hours (or 3 CEUs) of approved continuing education are required every renewal period.
• Online/Self-Study: Georgia does not limit the number of hours taken through online or home-study courses, provided they are approved by a recognized organization (e.g., AARC). You may technically complete all 30 hours via approved online methods.
• Mandatory Topics: There are currently 0 specific mandatory course topics (e.g., no specific ethics or medical error requirement) for Respiratory Care Professionals. Courses must simply be relevant to the practice of respiratory care.
• Approved Sponsors: Courses approved by the AARC (American Association for Respiratory Care), AMA (Category 1), American Thoracic Society, or the Georgia Nursing Association (max 25%) are accepted.
• Life Support Credits: You may claim credit for initial or recertification courses, but specific limits apply: - Initial Certification: BLS (8 hrs), ACLS/PALS/NRP (16 hrs). - Recertification: Counts for 50% of the initial hours (e.g., BLS Recert = 4 hrs; ACLS Recert = 8 hrs).
• First Renewal Exemption: If you have been initially licensed by examination for less than two years at the time of your first renewal, you are exempt from the CE requirements for that first cycle.

Georgia License Renewal Process

1. Expiration Date: Licenses expire every 2 years on the last day of the month in which the applicant's birthday falls. (This is a unique rolling deadline; check your specific year).
2. Renewal Window: Renewal typically opens 60-90 days prior to the expiration date.
3. Online Portal: Renewal is completed through the Georgia Composite Medical Board (GCMB) online licensing portal.
4. Fees: The standard renewal fee is approximately $105.00.
5. Late Renewal: You may renew late for up to 3 months after expiration with a penalty fee. After 3 months, the license is revoked for failure to renew.
6. Audit: The Board conducts random audits. You must retain your CE certificates for at least 5 years from the date of attendance.