SECTION 435:45-3-2. Required documentation

(a)   Applicants holding credentials conferred by the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC) as a certified respiratory therapy technician (CRTT) or as a registered respiratory therapist (RRT) must submit the following:

(1)   "Allied Health" application form and appropriate fee(s);

(2)   National Board of Respiratory Care credential verification, to be submitted directly from the National Board of Respiratory Care;

(3)   Verification of licensure from each state from which a license is currently or has been held to practice in a medically related field.

(b)   Applicants who have not passed the CRTT or RRT examination and who have been practicing respiratory care in the full time capacity for a period of more than twenty-four (24) months prior to November 1, 1995 must submit the following:

(1)   "Allied Health" application form and appropriate fee(s);

(2)   Verification of clinical experience certified to by the employing health care facility;

(3)   Verification of licensure from each state from which a license is currently or has been held to practice in a medically related field.

(c)   Applicants who have successfully completed an accredited respiratory technician or respiratory therapist training and education program as provided by the Respiratory Care Act must submit the following:

(1)   "Allied Health" application form and appropriate fee(s);

(2)   Verification of professional education to be completed by the educational organization and submitted directly to the Board;

(3)   Verification of supervision;

(4)   Verification of licensure from each state from which a license is currently or has been held to practice in a medically related field.

(d)   Students receiving remuneration as a result of their employment by a health care facility or organization and working in the capacity of a respiratory care practitioner must make application for "Provisional License" which shall include:

(1)   "Allied Health" application form and appropriate fee(s);

(2)   Verification of supervision;

(3)   List of competency evaluations to determine scope of practice verified and submitted directly to the Board from the educational facility. A provisional license holder can perform only those tasks verified. The list of competency evaluations may be updated on an ongoing basis by the educational facility.

(e)   Applicants who are licensed in another state, territory or country who do not qualify for a license by endorsement but have applied to take the license examination and who otherwise meet the qualifications of the Board must submit:

(1)   "Allied Health" application form and appropriate fee(s);

(2)   Verification of clinical experience documenting either

current practice or practice within the last six months of respiratory care within another state, territory or country;

(3)   Verification of supervision;

(4)   Verification of acceptance to sit for the National Board of Respiratory Care Certification Examination for Entry Level Respiratory Therapy Practitioners (CRTT) or verification of acceptance to sit for all examinations deemed necessary for the National Board of Respiratory Care Registry Examination for Advanced Respiratory Therapy Practitioners (RRT); and

(5)   Verification of licensure from each state from which a license is currently or has been held to practice in a medically related field.

(f)   Applicants who have not passed the CRTT or RRT examinations and who have been in the full time practice of Respiratory care for a period of less than twenty-four (24) months, who, through written evidence verified by oath, demonstrate that they are currently functioning in the capacity of a respiratory care practitioner, may be given a "Special Provisional License" to practice respiratory care under the supervision of a consenting licensed respiratory care practitioner or consenting licensed physician for a period of no longer than thirty-six (36) months from November 1, 1995. Applicants must submit:

(1)   "Allied Health" application form and appropriate fee(s);

(2)   Verification of supervision;

(3)   Verification of clinical experience;

(4)   Verification of licensure from each state from which a license is currently or has been held to practice in a medically related field.

(g)   Foreign-educated therapists whose native language is not English shall submit evidence of having passed the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of at least 560; the Test of Spoken English (TSE) with a score of at least 50; and the Test of Written English (TWE) with a score of at least 4.5.

(h)   Applicants who have never held an Oklahoma license and who have not practiced within the previous twelve months wishing to obtain a license may be required to meet one or more of the following guidelines:

(1)   Practice under the direct supervision of a licensed Respiratory Therapist for up to ninety(90) days.

(A)   The supervising Therapist(s) shall provide to the Committee a report on the applicant's performance prior to licensure.

(B)   Upon a personal appearance by the applicant the Committee has the discretion to change the level of supervision to general supervision.

(2)   Pass the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) entry-level examination.

(3)   Personal appearance before the Advisory Committee.

[Source: Added at 13 Ok Reg 1021, eff 11-21-95 (emergency); Added at 13 Ok Reg 2695, eff 6-27-96; Amended at 15 Ok Reg 3952, eff 7-9-98 (emergency); Amended at 16 Ok Reg 1234, eff 5-14-99; Amended at 18 Ok Reg 2646, eff 7-12-01]