Virginia Regulatory Town Hall

Proposed Text

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Action:
Regulatory reform changes
Stage: Fast-Track
 
18VAC85-40-10

Part I
General Provisions

18VAC85-40-10. Definitions.

A. The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the meanings ascribed to them in § 54.1-2900 of the Code of Virginia:

Board

Qualified medical direction

B. The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"AARC" means the American Association for Respiratory Care.

"Accredited educational program" means a program accredited by the Committee Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care or any other agency approved by the NBRC for its entry level certification examination.

"Active practice" means a minimum of 160 hours of professional practice as a respiratory care practitioner within the 24-month period immediately preceding renewal or application for licensure if previously licensed or certified in another jurisdiction. The active practice of respiratory care may include supervisory, administrative, educational or consultative activities or responsibilities for the delivery of such services.

"Advisory board" means the Advisory Board on Respiratory Care to the Board of Medicine as specified in § 54.1-2956 of the Code of Virginia.

"NBRC" means the National Board for Respiratory Care, Inc.

"Respiratory care practitioner" means a person as specified in § 54.1-2954 of the Code of Virginia.

18VAC85-40-40

Part II
Requirements for Licensure as a Respiratory Care Practitioner

18VAC85-40-40. Application Licensure requirements.

An applicant for licensure shall submit the following on forms provided by the board:

1. A completed application and a fee as prescribed in 18VAC85-40-35.

2. Verification of professional education in respiratory care as required in 18VAC85-40-45.

3. Verification of practice as required on the application form.

4. Evidence of passage of the national examination as required in 18VAC85-40-50.

5. If licensed or certified in any other jurisdiction, documentation of active practice as a respiratory care practitioner or documentation of 20 hours of continuing education within the 24-month period immediately preceding application and verification that there has been no disciplinary action taken or pending in that jurisdiction.

18VAC85-40-66

18VAC85-40-66. Continuing education requirements.

A. On and after January 1, 2005, in In order to renew an active license as a respiratory care practitioner, a licensee shall attest to having completed 20 hours of continuing education as approved and documented by a sponsor recognized by the AARC or in courses directly related to the practice of respiratory care as approved by the American Medical Association for Category 1 CME credit within the last biennium.

B. A practitioner shall be exempt from the continuing education requirements for the first biennial renewal following the date of initial licensure in Virginia.

C. The practitioner shall retain in his records the completed form with all supporting documentation for a period of four years following the renewal of an active license.

D. The board shall periodically conduct a random audit of its active licensees to determine compliance. The practitioners selected for the audit shall provide all supporting documentation within 30 days of receiving notification of the audit.

E. Failure to comply with these requirements may subject the licensee to disciplinary action by the board.

F. The board may grant an extension of the deadline for continuing competency requirements, for up to one year, for good cause shown upon a written request from the licensee prior to the renewal date.

G. The board may grant an exemption for all or part of the requirements for circumstances beyond the control of the licensee, such as temporary disability, mandatory military service, or officially declared disasters.