2006 Louisiana Laws - RS 37:3354 — Licensure required; qualifications; examination; waivers

§3354.  Licensure required; qualifications; examination; waivers

A.  No person shall practice respiratory therapy as defined in this Chapter in this state unless he is licensed in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter.  

B.  In order to obtain a respiratory therapy technician license an applicant shall demonstrate to the board that he:

(1)  Is of good moral character.  

(2)  Is at least eighteen years of age and a high school graduate or has the equivalent of a high school diploma.  

(3)(a)  Has current credentials as a certified respiratory therapy technician granted by the National Board for Respiratory Care or its successor organization or equivalent approved by the Council on Medical Education and the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners; or

(b)  Is a graduate of a respiratory therapy technician program approved by the American Medical Association or its successor and has taken and successfully passed the examination administered by the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners; or

(c)  Holds a temporary license issued under the provisions of R.S. 37:3357(E)(2) and who takes and passes the licensing examination administered by the board; or

(d)  Has a respiratory therapy technician license from another state whose requirements for licensure are considered by the board to exceed or be equivalent to those of the state of Louisiana and who otherwise meets the reciprocity requirements set by the board.  

(4)  Has paid all fees required by this Chapter.  

C.  In order to obtain a respiratory therapist license an applicant shall demonstrate to the board that he:

(1)  Is of good moral character.  

(2)  Is at least eighteen years of age and a high school graduate or has the equivalent of a high school diploma.  

(3)(a)  Has current credentials as a registered respiratory therapist granted by the National Board for Respiratory Care or its successor organization or equivalent approved by the Council on Medical Education and the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners; or

(b)  Has a respiratory therapist license from another state whose requirements for licensure are considered by the board to exceed or be equivalent to those of the state of Louisiana and who otherwise meets the reciprocity requirements set by the board.  

(4)  Has paid all fees required by this Chapter.  

D.  The board shall administer the National Board of Respiratory Care Entry Level Examination to applicants for licensure as respiratory therapy technicians at such times and places as it may determine.  The examination shall test the applicant's knowledge of such subjects as the board may consider useful in determining the applicant's fitness to practice respiratory therapy.  The board shall contract with the National Board for Respiratory Care for implementation of the entry level exam.  The board shall determine the criteria for satisfactory performance.  A person who fails the examination may reapply to take the examination which may be administered at least twice a year.  

E.(1)  The board shall waive the examination and grant a respiratory therapist license to any person registered by the National Board for Respiratory Care as a registered respiratory therapist, who otherwise meets the qualifications for licensure as provided in this Chapter, and who is domiciled in the state.  

(2)  The board shall waive the examination and grant a respiratory therapy technician license to any person certified by the National Board for Respiratory Care as a respiratory therapy technician, who otherwise meets the qualifications for licensure as provided in this Chapter, and who is domiciled in the state.  

(3)  The board may waive the examination and grant a respiratory therapist license to any applicant who presents proof of current licensure as a respiratory therapist in another state, the District of Columbia, or a territory of the United States which requires standards for licensure as provided in this Chapter, provided that such state, district, or territory accords similar privileges of licensure without examination to persons who have been granted a license in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter.  

(4)  The board may waive the examination and grant a respiratory therapy technician license to any applicant who presents proof of current licensure as a respiratory therapy technician in another state, the District of Columbia, or a territory of the United States which requires standards for licensure considered by the board to be equivalent to the requirements for licensure under this Chapter, provided such state, district, or territory accords similar privileges of licensure without examination to persons who have been granted a license under the provisions of this Chapter.  

Acts 1985, No. 408, §1.