Notice of Development of Rulemaking

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Board of Respiratory Care
RULE NO: RULE TITLE
64B32-2.001: License by Endorsement
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The Board proposes to amend the rule to add language seeking reentry into the profession after 2 years of non-practice.
SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: Licensure.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: 468.353(1), 468.358(3) FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 468.358(2), (3), 468.365 FS.
IF REQUESTED IN WRITING AND NOT DEEMED UNNECESSARY BY THE AGENCY HEAD, A RULE DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP WILL BE NOTICED IN THE NEXT AVAILABLE FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE WEEKLY.
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT AND A COPY OF THE PRELIMINARY DRAFT, IF AVAILABLE, IS: Susie Love, Executive Director, Board of Respiratory Care, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin # C05, Tallahassee, Florida 32399

THE PRELIMINARY TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT IS:

64B32-2.001 License by Endorsement.

(1) Each applicant applying for licensure shall pay an application fee in the form of a check or money order payable to the Department of Health. The initial application must be accompanied by the application fee. The application fee is nonrefundable and may not be used for more than one year from the original submission of the application.  After one year from the date of the original submission of an application and application fee, a new application and new fee shall be required from any applicant who desires to be considered for licensure.

(2) Every applicant for licensure as a registered respiratory therapist or certified respiratory therapist shall demonstrate the following:

(a)1. That the applicant holds the “Registered Respiratory Therapist” or “Certified Respiratory Therapist” credential issued by the National Board for Respiratory Care, or an equivalent credential acceptable to the Board; or

2. That the applicant holds licensure, or the equivalent, to deliver respiratory care in another state and such licensure was granted pursuant to requirements determined to be equivalent to, or more stringent than, the requirements in Florida.

(b) That the applicant is not otherwise disqualified by reason of a violation of Chapter 456, or Chapter 468, Part V, F.S., or the rules promulgated thereunder.

(c) That the applicant has completed a Board approved 2-hour course in medical error prevention meeting the criteria set forth in Rule 64B32-6.006, F.A.C.

(d) An applicant who has been out of the practice of respiratory care for 2 years or more must complete a Board-approved comprehensive review course in order to ensure that he or she has the sufficient skills to re-enter the profession. Board-approved comprehensive course means any course or courses which includes, at a minimum, fourteen (14) direct contact education hours in the topics and numbers of hours as follows (for the purpose of this section, home study courses are not permitted):

Patient assessment                                                              3 hours

Hemodynamics                                                                     2 hours

Pulmonary Function                                                            1 hour

Arterial blood gases                                                            1 hour

Respiratory equipment including medications                2 hours

Airway Care                                                                          1 hour

Mechanical ventilation                                                       2 hours

Emergency care/special procedures                                 1 hour

General respiratory care                                                      1 hour

Specific Authority 468.353(1), 468.358(3) FS. Law Implemented 468.358(2), (3), 468.365 FS. History–New 4-29-85, Formerly 21M-34.02, 21M-34.002, 61F6-34.002, 59R-71.002, 64B8-71.002, Amended 7-22-02, 8-28-05, ___________.