(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, every person who has filed an application for licensure with the board may, between the dates specified by the board, perform as a respiratory care practitioner applicant under the direct supervision of a respiratory care practitioner licensed in this state if he or she has met education requirements for licensure as may be certified by his or her respiratory care program.
(b) The board may extend the dates an applicant may perform as a respiratory care practitioner applicant under either of the following circumstances:
(1) When the applicant is unable to complete the licensure application due to causes completely outside his or her control.
(2) When the applicant provides evidence that he or she has successfully passed the national certified respiratory therapist examination, and the applicant has otherwise completed the application for licensure process and has not previously been authorized to practice as a respiratory care practitioner applicant under this subdivision.
(c) Authorization to practice as a respiratory care practitioner applicant pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) shall not exceed six months from the date of graduation or the date the application was filed, whenever is later.
(d) During this period the applicant shall identify himself or herself only as a “respiratory care practitioner applicant.”
(e) If for any reason the license is not issued, all privileges under subdivision (a) shall automatically cease on the date specified by the board.
(f) This section shall not be construed to prohibit the board from denying or rescinding the privilege to work as a respiratory care practitioner applicant for any reason, including, but not limited to, failure to pass the registered respiratory therapist examination or if cause exists to deny the license.
(g) “Under the direct supervision” means assigned to a respiratory care practitioner who is on duty and immediately available in the assigned patient care area.
(Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 179, Sec. 4. (AB 1972) Effective January 1, 2015.)