Subchapter K. RESPIRATORY THERAPISTS
Sec.
25.501. Purpose.
25.502. Definitions.
25.503. [Reserved].
25.504. Licensure of respiratory therapists; practice; exceptions.
25.505. Functions of respiratory therapists.
25.506. Temporary permits.
25.507. Criteria for licensure as a respiratory therapist.
25.508. Change of name or address.
25.509. Renewal of licensure.
25.509a. Requirement of continuing education.
25.509b. Approved educational programs.
25.510. Inactive status.
Authority The provisions of this Subchapter K issued under sections 13.1(c) and 36.1 of the Medical Practice Act of 1985 (63 P.S. § § 422.13a(c) and 422.36a); and sections 10.1(c) and 10.2 of the Osteopathic Medical Practice Act (63 P.S. § § 271.10a(c) and 271.10b), unless otherwise noted.
Source The provisions of this Subchapter K adopted November 15, 1996, effective November 16, 1996, 26 Pa.B. 5641, unless otherwise noted.
§ 25.501. Purpose.
This subchapter implements sections 10.1 and 10.2 of the act (63 P.S. § § 271.10a and 271.10b), which were added by section 3 of the act of July 2, 1993 (P.L. 418, No. 59) to provide for the licensure of respiratory therapists.
Authority The provisions of this § 25.501 amended under sections 10(f) and (h), 10.1(c), 10.2(f) and 16 of the Osteopathic Medical Practice Act (63 P.S. § § 271.10(f) and (h), 271.10a(c), 271.10b(f) and 271.16).
Source The provisions of this § 25.501 amended January 31, 2014, effective February 1, 2014, 44 Pa.B. 589. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (324178).
§ 25.502. Definitions.
The following words and terms, when used in this subchapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
AARC—American Association for Respiratory Care, an organization which provides continuing professional development programs.
AMA—American Medical Association, an organization which provides continuing professional development programs.
AOA—American Osteopathic Association, an organization which provides continuing professional development programs.
Act—The Osteopathic Medical Practice Act (63 P.S. § § 271.1—271.18).
CoARC—The Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care, an organization which accredits respiratory care programs.
CSRT—Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists, an organization which provides continuing professional development programs.
NBRC—The National Board for Respiratory Care, the agency recognized by the Board to certify respiratory therapists.
Practice building—Marketing or any other activity that has as its primary purpose increasing the business volume or revenue of a licensee or the licensee’s employer.
Respiratory therapist—A person who has been licensed in accordance with the act and this subchapter.
Authority The provisions of this § 25.502 amended under sections 10(f) and (h), 10.1(c), 10.2(f) and 16 of the Osteopathic Medical Practice Act (63 P.S. § § 271.10(f) and (h), 10.1a(c), 271.10b(f) and 271.16).
Source The provisions of this § 25.502 amended November 25, 2006, effective November 26, 2006, 36 Pa.B. 7137; amended January 31, 2014, effective February 1, 2014, 44 Pa.B. 589. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (324178) to (324179).
§ 25.503. [Reserved].
Authority The provisions of this § 25.503 amended under sections 10(f) and (h), 10.1(c), 10.2(f) and 16 of the Osteopathic Medical Practice Act (63 P.S. § § 271.10(f) and (h), 271.10a(c), 271.10b(f) and 271.16); reserved under section 16 of the Osteopathic Medical Practice Act (63 P.S. § 271.16).
Source The provisions of this § 25.503 amended January 28, 2000, effective January 29, 2000, 30 Pa.B. 533; amended January 31, 2014, effective February 1, 2014, 44 Pa.B. 589; reserved August 14, 2020, effective August 15, 2020, 50 Pa.B. 4133. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (370265).
§ 25.504. Licensure of respiratory therapists; practice; exceptions.
(a) A person may not practice or hold himself out as being able to practice as a respiratory therapist in this Commonwealth unless the person holds a valid, current temporary permit or license issued by the Board, or the State Board of Medicine under Chapter 18 (relating to State Board of Medicine—practitioners other than medical doctors), or is exempted under section 10.1(e) of the act (63 P.S. § 271.10a(e)) or section 13.1(e) of the Medical Practice Act of 1985 (63 P.S. § 422.13a(e)).
(b) A person may not use the words ‘‘licensed respiratory therapist’’ or ‘‘respiratory care practitioner,’’ the letters ‘‘LRT,’’ ‘‘RT’’ or ‘‘RCP’’ or similar words and related abbreviations to imply that respiratory care services are being provided, unless the services are provided by a respiratory therapist who holds avalid, current temporary permit or license issued by the Board or the State Board of Medicine and only while working under the supervision of a licensed physician.
Authority The provisions of this § 25.504 amended under sections 10(f) and (h), 10.1(c), 10.2(f) and 16 of the Osteopathic Medical Practice Act (63 P.S. § § 271.10(f) and (h), 271.10a(c), 271.10b(f) and 271.16).
Source The provisions of this § 25.504 amended January 31, 2014, effective February 1, 2014, 44 Pa.B. 589. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (324179).
§ 25.505. Functions of respiratory therapists.
(a) Under section 10.1(d) of the act (63 P.S. § 271.10a(d)), a respiratory therapist may implement direct respiratory care to an individual being treated by either a licensed medical doctor or a licensed doctor of osteopathic medicine, upon prescription or referral by a physician, certified registered nurse practitioner or physician assistant, or under medical direction and approval consistent with standing orders or protocols of an institution or health care facility. This care may constitute indirect services such as consultation or evaluation of an individual and also includes, but is not limited to, the following services:
(1) Administration of medical gases.
(2) Humidity and aerosol therapy.
(3) Administration of aerosolized medications.
(4) Intermittent positive pressure breathing.
(5) Incentive spirometry.
(6) Bronchopulmonary hygiene.
(7) Management and maintenance of natural airways.
(8) Maintenance and insertion of artificial airways.
(9) Cardiopulmonary rehabilitation.
(10) Management and maintenance of mechanical ventilation.
(11) Measurement of ventilatory flows, volumes and pressures.
(12) Analysis of ventilatory gases and blood gases.
(b) Under section 10.1(d) of the act, a respiratory therapist may perform the activities listed in subsection (a) only upon prescription or referral by a physician, certified registered nurse practitioner or physician assistant or while under medical direction consistent with standing orders or protocols in an institution or health care facility.
Authority The provisions of this § 25.505 amended under sections 10(f) and (h), 10.1(c), 10.2(f) and 16 of the Osteopathic Medical Practice Act (63 P.S. § § 271.10(f) and (h), 271.10a(c), 271.10b(f) and 271.16).
Source The provisions of this § 25.505 amended January 31, 2014, effective February 1, 2014, 44 Pa.B. 589. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (324179) to (324180).
§ 25.506. Temporary permits.
(a) A temporary permit will be issued to an applicant, who is not yet a licensee, who submits evidence satisfactory to the Board, on forms supplied by the Board, that the applicant has met one or more of the following criteria:
(1) Has graduated from a respiratory care program approved by the CoARC.
(2) Is enrolled in a respiratory care program approved by the CoARC and expects to graduate within 30 days of the date of application to the Board for a temporary permit.
(3) Meets the applicable requirements and is recognized as a credentialed respiratory therapist by the NBRC.
(b) A temporary permit is valid for 12 months and for an additional period as the Board may, in each case, specially determine except that a temporary permit expires if the holder fails the entry level credentialing examination. An applicant who fails the entry level credentialing examination may apply to retake it.
Authority The provisions of this § 25.506 amended under sections 10(f) and (h), 10.1(c), 10.2(f) and 16 of the Osteopathic Medical Practice Act (63 P.S. § § 271.10(f) and (h), 271.10a(c), 271.10b(f) and 271.16).
Source The provisions of this § 25.506 amended January 31, 2014, effective February 1, 2014, 44 Pa.B. 589. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (324180).
§ 25.507. Criteria for licensure as a respiratory therapist.
The Board will approve for licensure as a respiratory therapist an applicant who:
(1) Submits evidence satisfactory to the Board, on forms supplied by the Board, that the applicant has met one or more of the following criteria:
(i) Has graduated from a respiratory care program approved by the CoARC and passed the entry level credentialing examination as determined by the NBRC.
(ii) Holds a valid license, certificate or registration as a respiratory therapist in another state, territory or the District of Columbia which has been issued based on requirements substantially the same as those required by the Commonwealth, including the examination requirement.
(1.1) Has completed at least 3 hours of approved training in child abuse recognition and reporting in accordance with § 25.417(a) (relating to child abuse recognition and reporting—mandatory training requirement).
(2) Has paid the appropriate fee in a form acceptable to the Board.
Authority The provisions of this § 25.507 amended under sections 10(f) and (h), 10.1(c), 10.2(f) and 16 of the Osteopathic Medical Practice Act (63 P.S. § § 271.10(f) and (h), 271.10a(c), 271.10b(f) and 271.16); and 23 Pa.C.S. § 6383(b)(2).
Source The provisions of this § 25.507 amended January 31, 2014, effective February 1, 2014, 44 Pa.B. 589; amended December 29, 2023, effective December 30, 2023, 53 Pa.B. 8218. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (370267) to (370268).
§ 25.508. Change of name or address.
A licensee shall inform the Board in writing within 10 days of a change of name or mailing address.
Authority The provisions of this § 25.508 amended under sections 10(f) and (h), 10.1(c), 10.2(f) and 16 of the Osteopathic Medical Practice Act (63 P.S. § § 271.10(f) and (h), 271.10a(c), 271.10b(f) and 271.16).
Source The provisions of this § 25.508 amended January 31, 2014, effective February 1, 2014, 44 Pa.B. 589. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (324181).
§ 25.509. Renewal of licensure.
(a) A license issued under this subchapter expires on December 31 of every even-numbered year unless renewed for the next biennium.
(b) Biennial renewal forms and other forms and literature to be distributed by the Board will be forwarded to the last mailing address given to the Board.
(c) To retain the right to engage in practice, the licensee shall renew licensure in the manner prescribed by the Board, pay the required fee and comply with the continuing education requirement of § 25.509a (relating to requirement of continuing education), prior to the expiration of the current biennium.
(d) When a license is renewed after December 31 of an even-numbered year, a penalty fee of $5 for each month or part of a month of practice beyond the renewal date will be charged in addition to the renewal fee.
Authority The provisions of this § 25.509 amended under sections 10(f) and (h), 10.1(c), 10.2(f) and 16 of the Osteopathic Medical Practice Act (63 P.S. § § 271.10(f) and (h), 271.10a(c), 271.10b(f) and 271.16).
Source The provisions of this § 25.509 amended November 24, 2006, effective November 25, 2006, 36 Pa.B. 7137; amended January 31, 2014, effective February 1, 2014, 44 Pa.B. 589. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (324181).
§ 25.509a. Requirement of continuing education.
(a) An applicant for biennial renewal or reactivation of licensure is required to complete a minimum of 30 hours of continuing education as set forth in section 10.2(f)(2) of the act (63 P.S. § 271.10b(f)(2)) subject to the following:
(1) At least 10 continuing education hours shall be obtained through traditional continuing education such as classroom lecture, clinical presentation, real-time web-cast or other live sessions where a presenter is involved. For nontraditional continuing education such as prerecorded presentations, Internet-based presentations and journal review programs, to qualify for credit, the provider shall make available documented verification of completion of the course or program.
(2) One hour must be completed in medical ethics and 1 hour must be completed in patient safety. In addition, at least 2 hours must be completed in approved courses in child abuse recognition and reporting in accordance with § 25.417(b) (relating to child abuse recognition and reporting—mandatory training requirement).
(3) Credit will not be given for continuing education in basic life support, including basic cardiac life support and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. In any given biennial renewal period, a licensee may receive credit for no more than 8 continuing education hours in advanced life support, including advanced cardiac life support, neonatal advanced life support/neonatal resuscitation and pediatric advanced life support.
(4) A licensee will not receive continuing education credit for participating in a continuing education activity with objectives and content identical to those of another continuing education activity within the same biennial renewal period for which credit was granted.
(b) An individual applying for the first time for licensure in this Commonwealth is exempt from completing the continuing education requirements during the initial biennial renewal period in which the license is issued.
(c) The Board may waive all or a portion of the requirements of continuing education in cases of serious illness, undue hardship or military service. It shall be the duty of each licensee who seeks a waiver to notify the Board in writing and request the waiver prior to the end of the renewal period. The request must be made in writing, with appropriate documentation, and include a description of circumstances sufficient to show why the licensee is unable to comply with the continuing education requirement. The Board will grant, deny or grant in part the request for waiver and will send the licensee written notification of its approval or denial of the waiver request. A licensee who requests a waiver may not practice as a respiratory therapist after the expiration of the licensee’s current license until the Board grants the waiver request.
(d) A licensee shall maintain the information and documentation concerning compliance with the continuing education requirement or the waiver granted for a period of at least 2 years after the end of the biennial renewal period to which the continuing education or waiver applies, the date of completion of the continuing education or grant of the waiver, whichever is latest, and provide the information and documentation to representatives of the Board upon request.
Authority The provisions of this § 25.509a issued under section 10.2(f) of the Osteopathic Medical Practice Act (63 P.S. § 271.10b(f); amended under sections 10(f) and (h), 10.1(c), 10.2(f) and 16 of the Osteopathic Medical Practice Act (63 P.S. § § 271.10(f) and (h), 271.10a(c), 271.10b(f) and 271.16); and 23 Pa.C.S. § 6383(b)(2).
Source The provisions of this § 25.509a adopted November 24, 2006, effective November 25, 2006, 36 Pa.B. 7137; amended January 31, 2014, effective February 1, 2014, 44 Pa.B. 589; amended December 29, 2023, effective December 30, 2023, 53 Pa.B. 8218. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (370268) to (370269).
Cross References This section cited in 49 Pa. Code § 25.509 (relating to renewal of licensure).
§ 25.509b. Approved educational programs.
(a) The Board approves respiratory care continuing education programs designated for professional development credits by the AARC, the AMA, the AOA and the CSRT.
(1) Qualifying AMA continuing education programs must be in AMA PRA Category I credits, as defined in § 25.1 (relating to definitions).
(2) Qualifying AOA continuing education programs must be in Category I-A or I-B credits, as defined in § 25.1.
(b) Advanced course work in respiratory care successfully completed at a degree-granting institution of higher education approved by the United States Department of Education which offers academic credits are also approved for continuing education credit by the Board. Advanced course work is course work beyond the academic requirements necessary for licensure as a respiratory therapist.
(c) The Board will not accept courses of study which do not relate to the actual provision of respiratory care. Examples of unacceptable courses are those in office management or practice building.
Authority The provisions of this § 25.509b issued under section 10.2(f) of the Osteopathic Medical Practice Act (63 P.S. § 271.10(f); amended under sections 10(f) and (h), 10.1(c), 10.2(f) and 16 of the Osteopathic Medical Practice Act (63 P.S. § § 271.10(f) and (h), 271.10a(c), 271.10b(f) and 271.16).
Source The provisions of this § 25.509b adopted November 24, 2006, effective November 25, 2006, 36 Pa.B. 7137; amended January 31, 2014, effective February 1, 2014, 44 Pa.B. 589. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (324182) to (324183).
§ 25.510. Inactive status.
(a) A licensee who does not intend to practice in this Commonwealth and who does not desire to renew licensure shall inform the Board in writing. Written confirmation of inactive status will be forwarded to the licensee.
(b) A licensee shall notify the Board, in writing, of the licensee’s desire to reactivate the license.
(c) A licensee who is applying to return to active status is required to pay fees which are due for the current biennium and submit a sworn statement stating the period of time during which the licensee was not engaged in practice in this Commonwealth.
(d) The applicant for reactivation will not be assessed a fee or penalty for preceding biennal periods in which the applicant did not engage in practice in this Commonwealth.
Authority The provisions of this § 25.510 amended under sections 10(f) and (h), 10.1(c), 10.2(f) and 16 of the Osteopathic Medical Practice Act (63 P.S. § § 271.10(f) and (h), 271.10a(c), 271.10b(f) and 271.16).
Source The provisions of this § 25.510 amended January 31, 2014, effective February 1, 2014, 44 Pa.B. 589. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (324183).
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