HF 2603 (LSB 6862HV (1) 91)

HOUSE FILE 2603

BY  COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT

(SUCCESSOR TO HSB 711)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to licensure as a respiratory care practitioner.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 152B.14, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   152B.14  Licensure through examination.
   1.  The Prior to January 1, 2027, the board shall issue a license to practice respiratory care to an applicant who has passed an examination administered by the state or a national agency approved by the board.
   2.  Beginning January 1, 2027, the board shall issue a license to practice respiratory care to an applicant who has passed an examination administered by the state or a national agency approved by the board, and who meets the requirements of section 152B.15.
    Sec. 2.  NEW SECTION.  152B.15  Registered respiratory care therapist credential required —— exceptions.
   1.  Beginning January 1, 2027, an applicant for licensure as a respiratory care practitioner must submit to the board evidence of achievement of the registered respiratory therapist credential awarded by the national board for respiratory care, or its successor organization, in addition to any other requirements adopted by the board by rule.
   2.  Beginning January 1, 2027, an applicant for licensure as a respiratory care practitioner who is currently licensed as a respiratory care practitioner in another state must submit to the board evidence of achievement of the registered respiratory therapist credential awarded by the national board for respiratory care, or its successor organization, or the completion of an examination approved by the board by rule, in addition to any other requirements adopted by the board by rule.
   3.  A respiratory care practitioner licensed in this state prior to January 1, 2027, is not required to hold a registered respiratory therapist credential awarded by the national board for respiratory care, or its successor organization, to renew a license, unless the license lapsed more than three months prior to renewal.
   4.  The board shall cooperate with educational institutions and professional organizations to develop pathways for persons who currently hold a certified respiratory therapist credential awarded by the national board for respiratory care to obtain a registered respiratory therapist credential awarded by the national board for respiratory care, and to create continuing education opportunities to support the professional development of respiratory care practitioners.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill relates to the licensure of respiratory care therapists. Beginning January 1, 2027, the bill requires an applicant for licensure as a respiratory care practitioner to obtain the registered respiratory therapist credential awarded by the national board for respiratory care, or its successor organization, in addition to other requirements imposed by the board of respiratory care and polysomnography (board) by rule. The bill requires an applicant for licensure that is currently licensed as a respiratory care therapist in another state to either obtain a registered respiratory therapist credential or complete an examination approved by the board by rule. The bill exempts a person licensed as a respiratory care therapist prior to January 1, 2027, from the requirement to obtain a registered respiratory therapist credential, unless the license lapsed more than three months prior to renewal.
   The bill requires the board to cooperate with educational institutions and business organizations to develop pathways for persons who currently hold a certified respiratory therapist credential to obtain a registered respiratory therapist credential and to create continuing education opportunities to support the professional development of respiratory care practitioners.