<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".06" citation="COMAR 10.32.11.06" title_num="10" subtitle_num="32" chapter_num="11" heading="Qualifications for Licensure as a Respiratory Care Practitioner.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>The Board shall license an individual if the individual meets the requirements of §§B and C of this regulation.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>An individual shall be licensed by the Board if the individual:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Is 18 years old or older;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Is of good moral character;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Demonstrates spoken and written competency in English by any of the following:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Graduation from a recognized English-speaking high school or undergraduate or graduate school after at least 3 years of enrollment;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Graduation from a recognized English-speaking professional school; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Receipt of a grade of:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>At least 79 on the Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>At least 26 on the “Speaking” section of the Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language;</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Graduate from an accredited respiratory care educational program; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Have active certification by the National Certifying Board as at least one of the following:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Certified respiratory therapist; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Registered respiratory therapist.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>An individual shall submit a completed application form, which includes the following information:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A chronological history of practice-related activities as requested by the Board for:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>All periods of time, including each job held; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Any other activity engaged in, including all periods of unemployment;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Any physical or mental condition that currently impairs the individual’s ability to practice respiratory care;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Any action by a state licensing or disciplinary board or a comparable body in the armed services, denying an application for licensure, reinstatement, or renewal for a health care occupational license;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Any health professional license for which the individual has applied if the application was withdrawn for reasons that would be grounds for disciplinary action;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Any action taken against the individual’s license by a state licensing or disciplinary board, or a comparable body in the armed services, including but not limited to:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Limitations of practice;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Required education;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Admonishment;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Reprimand;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Suspension; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(f)">
        <text>Revocation;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Any investigation or charges brought against the individual by a state licensing or disciplinary board or comparable body in the armed services;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>Copies of:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>State licensing or disciplinary board charges;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Final orders; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Adverse or disciplinary actions;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(8)">
      <text>Any investigation or charge brought against the individual by:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>A hospital;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>A related institution;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>An alternative health care system; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Any other employer;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(9)">
      <text>Any limitation or loss in privileges by:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>A hospital;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>A related health care facility;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>An alternative health care system; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Any other employer;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(10)">
      <text>Copies of the complaints, pleadings, and judgments in all malpractice claims;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(11)">
      <text>Copies of all arrests, court orders, orders of probation, certificates or letters of completion, or both, of any mandatory program or disciplinary actions, including final orders for driving while intoxicated or driving while under the influence of a chemical substance or medication;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(12)">
      <text>A plea of guilty or nolo contendere, a conviction, or receipt of probation before judgment for a criminal act; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(13)">
      <text>A plea of guilty or nolo contendere, a conviction, or receipt of probation before judgment for an alcohol or controlled dangerous substance offense, including but not limited to driving while under the influence of alcohol or controlled dangerous substances.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>An applicant shall pay the required application fee.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>An applicant shall submit a passport-size photograph.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>On forms supplied by the Board, an applicant shall agree to release to the Board all relevant information from appropriate individuals, other institutions, and government agencies including, but not limited to:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The National Practitioner Data Bank;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Hospitals; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Any other licensing body.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>An applicant for licensure shall inform the Board by certified mail, return receipt requested, within 30 days of the occurrence or notification of any of the circumstances listed in §B of this regulation.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="H.">
    <text>If reasonable questions regarding an applicant's physical, mental, or professional competency have been raised by the information provided on the application, the Board may request additional information regarding the applicant's competency from the chief of staff of a hospital where the applicant has practiced.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="I.">
    <text>If an applicant has not passed the National Certifying Board exam for credentialing as a Certified Respiratory Therapist or a Registered Respiratory Therapist within the 5 years immediately preceding the applicant’s application and has not practiced respiratory care for at least 3 of the past 5 years, the Board may require the applicant to take and pass one of those exams as part of the application process.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>