33-43-108. Application for license; qualifications.

(a) An applicant for a license to practice respiratory care shall submit to the board written evidence, verified by oath, that the applicant:

(i) Has completed an approved four (4) year high school course of study or the equivalent thereof determined by the appropriate educational agency; and

(ii) Has completed a respiratory care educational program. A respiratory care educational program means a program accredited by the council on allied health education programs (CAHEP) in collaboration with the committee on accreditation for respiratory care (CoARC) or their successor organizations.

(b) The board may issue a license to practice respiratory care by endorsement to:

(i) 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;

(ii) Applicants holding credentials, conferred by the national board for respiratory care, as a certified respiratory therapist (CRT) or as a registered respiratory therapist (RRT), provided the credential has not been suspended or revoked.

(c) Applicants applying for licensure under subsection (b) of this section shall be required to certify under oath that their credentials have not been suspended or revoked.

(d) Pursuant to rule and regulation, the board may grant a license to an applicant under this section based upon written evidence, verified by oath, of previous practical experience in the capacity of a respiratory care practitioner submitted by the applicant under this section.