Polk State Respiratory Care application open 4/1 through 5/31

Posted on by Polk Newsroom

The application for Polk State College’s Respiratory Care Program will be open April 1 through May 31 for the 2026-2027 Academic Year.

The Associate in Science in Respiratory Care prepares students to become highly skilled respiratory therapists (RT) who work with patients with a variety of heart and/or lung disorders. Graduates of the program are eligible for credentialing by the National Board for Respiratory Care and for licensure in the State of Florida.

Polk State Respiratory Care boasts a 100% pass rate on the entry-level national board exam as well as a 100% employment rate. The program has also received the Distinguished Registered Respiratory Therapist Credentialing Success Award for 12 consecutive years, illustrating Polk State’s effectiveness in preparing highly skilled respiratory therapists to meet workforce demands in this critical field predicted to grow 12% (2024-2034), much faster than the average occupation, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Respiratory therapists earn a median pay of greater than $80,000. More information and the online application are available at polk.edu/respiratory-care.