West VirginiaRespiratory therapists may practice across state lines under compact rules
Eligible respiratory therapists may practice in participating states under a compact privilege once a seventh state enacts the compact and they meet its requirements.
What it does
When the compact takes effect, eligible respiratory therapists may practice in other member states under a compact privilege. They must meet the compact’s requirements and follow the state’s practice rules.
New respiratory care licensees must complete state and national criminal history checks when they first receive a license. Applicants pay the actual costs, and the records are not public records.
Argument forOnce the compact takes effect, eligible therapists could practice in other member states, which may help patients get respiratory care when local access is limited.
Argument againstTherapists may face extra fees and reporting steps because they must meet each member state’s requirements and report certain license actions to keep the privilege.
More detail
West Virginia joins a compact that allows respiratory therapists to practice in other member states. The pathway covers respiratory therapists with an active, unrestricted license in their home state and a current qualifying credential. The patient’s location determines where the therapy takes place. The compact takes effect only when a seventh state enacts it. Therapists must meet the compact’s license, credential, fee, and other requirements, and follow the remote state’s practice rules. A state may charge a fee. The compact starts when a seventh state enacts it. A privilege lasts until the home-state license expires or is revoked, unless it ends earlier under the compact.
The law requires the West Virginia Board of Respiratory Care Practitioners to check new licensees’ criminal histories. This applies to new respiratory care licensees in West Virginia. Applicants must submit fingerprints and authorize the board, West Virginia State Police, and FBI to use the records for license screening. Applicants pay the actual costs. Results generally may not be released to or by private entities, and the records are not public records. The check is required at initial licensure and should be completed as soon as possible after the original application.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 29Chapter 187, Acts, Regular Session, 2026Latest
- Apr 1Approved by Governor Patrick Morrisey 4/1/2026Major
- Mar 25To Governor 3/25/2026To Governor
- Mar 14Approved by Governor Patrick Morrisey 4/1/2026 - House JournalMajor
- Vote recorded PASSAGE-SENATE AMENDED HB. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 14Approved by Governor Patrick Morrisey 4/1/2026 - Senate JournalBecame Law
- Mar 14To Governor 3/25/2026 - Senate JournalMinor
- Mar 14House Message received
- Mar 14Completed legislative action
- Mar 14Communicated to Senate
- Mar 14House concurred in Senate amendment and passed bill (Roll No. 643)
- Mar 14House received Senate message
- Mar 12Senate requests House to concur
- Vote recorded Passage. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 12Passed Senate (Roll No. 499)Passed Senate
- Mar 12Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 12On 3rd reading
- Mar 11Committee amendment adopted (Voice vote)
- Mar 11Read 2nd timeMinor
- Mar 11On 2nd reading
- Mar 10Read 1st timeMinor
- Mar 10Immediate consideration
- Mar 10Reported do pass, with amendmentMinor
- Feb 26To Health and Human ResourcesMinor
- Feb 26To Health and Human ResourcesMinor
- Feb 26Introduced in SenateMinor
- Feb 25Communicated to Senate
- Vote recorded PASSAGE. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 25Passed House (Roll No. 185)Passed House
- Feb 25Read 3rd timeMinor
- Feb 25On 3rd reading, Special Calendar
- Feb 24Read 2nd timeMinor
- Feb 24On 2nd reading, Special Calendar
- Feb 23Read 1st timeMinor
- Feb 23On 1st reading, Special Calendar
- Feb 20By substitute, do pass
- Feb 11To House Government OrganizationMinor
- Feb 6To House Government AdminstrationMinor
- Feb 2To House Government OrganizationMinor
- Feb 2Introduced in HouseMinor
- Feb 2To Government OrganizationMinor
- Feb 2Filed for introductionIntroduced
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