Microbiology for Respiratory Therapy: Online Options to Satisfy the Prerequisite- why respiratory therapy programs require microbiology, what the course covers, the lab question you must answer first, and how to complete it online.
Alongside anatomy and physiology, microbiology is one of the core science prerequisites for respiratory therapy school. It appears on admission checklists across associate and bachelor’s degree programs, and it is rarely optional. Respiratory therapists spend their careers around patients with pneumonia, bronchitis, tuberculosis, influenza, COVID-19, and ventilator-associated infections — so a working knowledge of microorganisms, infection, and infection control is fundamental to the job.
This guide explains why respiratory therapy programs require microbiology, what the course covers, the all-important lab question you need to resolve before enrolling, and how you can complete microbiology online through accredited, self-paced coursework that transfers to your program. Microbiology usually sits alongside anatomy and physiology on the prerequisite list, and you can verify any program’s full requirements through the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).
Short answer: Yes — most accredited respiratory therapy programs require a microbiology course, typically completed with a grade of C or higher, and often before you apply. At PrereqCourses.com this maps to BIO 210 (Microbiology), delivered online and self-paced, with credit awarded through our regionally accredited university partner. The one detail to confirm with your program first is whether they require a lab component.
Yes, in the large majority of cases. Microbiology is one of the standard biological-science prerequisites for respiratory therapy admission, whether you are entering an associate degree program (the field’s minimum entry point) or a bachelor’s program. Programs list it explicitly alongside anatomy and physiology and, frequently, chemistry.
A few patterns are worth understanding before you plan your coursework:
Because requirements vary by school, confirm the specifics — especially the lab requirement — directly with your target program before enrolling in any microbiology course.
Microbiology is not a tangential requirement for respiratory therapists — it sits at the center of daily clinical practice. The respiratory system is one of the body’s primary points of contact with the outside world, which makes it a frequent target of infection. Much of what a respiratory therapist treats, monitors, and helps prevent is microbial in origin.
Consider how directly microbiology content maps onto the work:
| Clinical reality | Microbiology knowledge it draws on |
|---|---|
| Treating respiratory infections | How bacteria, viruses, and fungi cause pneumonia, bronchitis, tuberculosis, influenza, and COVID-19, and how those pathogens behave in the airway. |
| Preventing ventilator-associated infections | How pathogens colonize equipment and the airway, and why sterilization, disinfection, and aseptic technique reduce hospital-acquired infections. |
| Supporting antibiotic and antiviral therapy | How antimicrobial drugs work, why cultures and sensitivities guide treatment, and the basics of antimicrobial resistance. |
| Protecting patients and yourself | Modes of transmission, the chain of infection, standard and transmission-based precautions, and personal protective equipment. |
| Interpreting the immune response | How the body fights infection, the role of vaccination, and why immunocompromised patients are especially vulnerable to respiratory pathogens. |
Infection control alone makes the case. Respiratory therapists move between vulnerable patients all day and handle equipment that can transmit pathogens if it is not properly managed. The microbiology course is where that mindset — and the science behind it — is first established. (The American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) publishes clinical practice guidance that reflects how central infection prevention is to the role.)
A standard introductory microbiology course for health-science students surveys the microbial world and then focuses heavily on how microorganisms cause disease and how the body and the healthcare system respond. Organization varies by institution, but most courses cover the following:
Where microbiology differs from many other prerequisites is the lab. A traditional microbiology lab teaches skills such as aseptic technique, preparing and staining slides (including the Gram stain), culturing organisms, and using a microscope to identify microbes. These are hands-on skills, which is exactly why the lab question deserves careful attention when you are completing the course online.
Yes — microbiology is widely available online, and for working adults and career changers it is often the most realistic way to complete the requirement. The lecture content of an introductory microbiology course translates well to a self-paced online format. The one variable that requires more attention than it did for anatomy and physiology is the lab.
Before enrolling in any online microbiology course, confirm that it meets these conditions:
The lab, in plain terms: programs handle the microbiology lab differently. Some accept a lecture-only course; some accept an online or virtual lab; and some require a hands-on, in-person lab. Do not guess. Email your program’s admissions office, describe the course you are considering, and get their answer in writing before you enroll.
At PrereqCourses.com, the respiratory therapy microbiology requirement is satisfied by BIO 210 (Microbiology) — a self-paced, online course delivered through our regionally accredited university partner, with an official transcript you can submit to your program.
| Course | Satisfies | Focus for RT applicants |
|---|---|---|
| BIO 210 | Microbiology prerequisite | Microorganisms and infection, the immune response, antimicrobial therapy and resistance, and infection control — including respiratory-system infections. |
What makes the format work for respiratory therapy applicants:
Important — confirm the lab first: because microbiology lab policies vary widely between respiratory therapy programs, send the BIO 210 course description to your target program’s admissions office and ask them to confirm acceptance, including how they handle the lab requirement, before you enroll. A short email up front ensures the credit will count toward your application.
Do I need microbiology for respiratory therapy school?
In most cases, yes. Microbiology is a standard biological-science prerequisite for respiratory therapy programs, listed alongside anatomy and physiology. Always confirm your specific program’s requirements.
Does microbiology need to include a lab?
Often, yes — many programs require “microbiology with lab,” while others list a lab as recommended. Policies on online and virtual labs vary by program, so this is the first thing to confirm before enrolling in an online course.
What grade do I need in microbiology?
A grade of C or higher is the typical minimum, and some programs explicitly do not accept a C-minus. Your science GPA may also affect how competitive your application is.
Will an online microbiology course transfer to my program?
Generally yes, when the credit comes from a regionally accredited institution and your program accepts the format, including the lab. Confirm both accreditation and the lab policy with your program before enrolling.
Do I have to finish microbiology before I apply?
Many programs require it to be completed before applying, while some allow it to be in progress at the time of application. Check your program’s rule, since it determines your timeline.
How long does it take to finish microbiology online?
In a self-paced format, your timeline depends on how much time you can dedicate. Motivated students can move faster than a traditional 16-week term, while others spread the work around their other commitments.
Microbiology is one of the most consistent science prerequisites for respiratory therapy school, and it is directly relevant to the work — from treating respiratory infections to preventing the spread of hospital-acquired disease. Completing microbiology online, through regionally accredited and self-paced coursework, lets you satisfy the requirement on a schedule that works for you, provided you confirm the lab requirement with your program first. After you graduate from a CoARC-accredited program, the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) administers the exams that lead to credentialing and licensure.
Ready to get started? Explore BIO 210 (Microbiology) at PrereqCourses.com, and confirm acceptance — including the lab requirement — with your respiratory therapy program before enrolling.
Microbiology is one of several prerequisites most respiratory therapy programs require. Explore the rest of the science and general-education sequence:
Prerequisite requirements, grade minimums, recency windows, and especially lab policies vary by institution and change over time. This article is for general guidance only. Always confirm requirements directly with the respiratory therapy program you intend to apply to.
