H-1524              _______________________________________________

                                                   HOUSE BILL NO. 1919

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                               51st Legislature                              1989 Regular Session

By Representatives Brooks and Moyer

Read first time 2/10/89 and referred to Committee on Health Care.

AN ACT Relating to respiratory care practitioners; amending RCW 18.89.090; and adding a new section to chapter 18.89 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 18.89 RCW to read as follows:

          Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit or restrict:

          (1) The practice by an individual licensed, certified, or registered under the laws of this state and performing services within the authorized scope of practice;

          (2) The practice by an individual employed by the government of the United States while engaged in the performance of duties prescribed by the laws of the United States;

          (3) The practice by a person who is a regular student in an educational program approved by the director, and whose performance of services is pursuant to a regular course of instruction or assignments from an instructor and under the general supervision of the instructor.

        Sec. 2.  Section 10, chapter 415, Laws of 1987 and RCW 18.89.090 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) After the effective date of this chapter, the director shall issue a certificate to any applicant who demonstrates to the director's satisfaction that the following requirements have been met:

          (((1))) (a) Graduation from a school approved by the director or successful completion of alternate training which meets the criteria established by the director;

          (((2))) (b) Successful completion of an examination administered or approved by the director;

          (((3))) (c) Successful completion of any experience requirement established by the director;

          (((4))) (d) Good moral character.

(2) The director shall issue a certificate to any applicant who has practiced respiratory therapy, as determined by the director, prior to the effective date of this chapter.  An applicant who qualifies under this subsection does not have to complete an examination prior to obtaining his or her certificate.

(3) In addition, applicants shall be subject to the grounds for denial or issuance of a conditional certificate under chapter 18.130 RCW.

(4) A person who meets the qualifications to be admitted to the examination for certification as a respiratory care practitioner may practice as a respiratory care practitioner under the supervision of a respiratory care practitioner certified under this chapter between the date of filing an application for certification and the announcement of the results of the next succeeding examination for certification if that person applies for and takes the first examination for which he or she is eligible.

          The director shall establish by rule what constitutes adequate proof of meeting the criteria.