Respiratory Care Interstate Compact

The American Association for Respiratory Care is leading an exciting national initiative—the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact—designed to expand opportunities and remove barriers for respiratory therapists across the country.

Developed in collaboration with the Council of State Governments and the U.S. Department of Defense, this compact creates a new pathway for multistate practice, allowing licensed respiratory therapists to work across participating states without needing multiple licenses. The goal is simple but powerful: improve workforce mobility, reduce administrative burden, and increase patient access to high-quality respiratory care.

Model legislation has now been finalized and is ready for introduction at the state level, with early adoption already underway in several states. This effort represents a major step forward for the profession—supporting everything from telehealth and emergency response to continuity of care when patients or providers relocate.

Here in Illinois, we are actively working to bring the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact forward. As this progresses, member engagement and advocacy will be essential. This is a unique opportunity to help shape the future of respiratory care—creating a more flexible, connected, and resilient workforce for the patients we serve.

Learn more: https://www.aarc.org/respiratory-care-interstate-compact/