2019 Tennessee Code
Title 63 - Professions of the Healing Arts
Chapter 27 - Respiratory Care Practitioner Act
§ 63-27-116. Licenses for registered respiratory therapist and certified respiratory therapist -- Temporary license -- Reciprocity.
(a) The board may issue a temporary license to an individual applicant who has completed the required respiratory care educational program but who has not yet successfully completed the NBRC examination. A temporary license shall automatically expire one (1) year from its date of issuance and may not be renewed.
(b) The board may issue a license to practice respiratory care by endorsement to an applicant who is currently licensed to practice respiratory care under the laws of another state, territory or country if the qualifications of the applicant are deemed by the board to be equivalent to those required in this state.
(c)
(1) The board may authorize any of its members or its consultant to conduct a review of the qualifications of an applicant for a license or temporary license to practice respiratory care in this state and to make an initial determination as to whether the applicant has met all the requirements for a license or temporary license. If the board member or board consultant determines that the applicant has met all the requirements for a license or temporary license, the applicant is then authorized to practice respiratory care in this state until the board makes a final decision on the application for a license or temporary license. The board may authorize the use of this procedure with respect to applicants for license renewal or reinstatement as well. In no event shall the temporary authorization issued pursuant to a determination made by the board member or board consultant be effective for longer than a six (6) month period measured from the date of issuance. This process shall not be utilized by the applicant more than once.
(2) If temporary authorization, pursuant to this subsection (c), is issued to an applicant for a license to practice respiratory care in this state and if the subsequent decision of the board is to deny the application based upon a good faith determination that the applicant has not, in fact, complied with all the requirements for a license, then the doctrine of estoppel shall not apply against the state based upon its issuance of temporary authorization and its subsequent denial of licensure.
