Respiratory therapists can work across states once agreement takes effect

Eligible respiratory therapists can obtain permission to practice in other states participating in the agreement. Therapists must follow the practice rules of the state where their patient is located. Therapists must maintain an unrestricted home-state license and a qualifying national credential, with no license discipline within the previous two years. They must notify the commission, pay applicable fees, and meet any required checks of their knowledge of the other state's laws. If discipline restricts their home-state license, they lose permission in all other participating states until the restriction ends and two more years pass. The agreement takes effect when the seventh state enacts it. Permission lasts until the home-state license expires or is revoked, unless discipline ends it sooner.

Respiratory therapists serving on active military duty and their spouses can retain a designated home state and avoid commission fees for permission to practice. These provisions cover respiratory therapists who are active-duty military members or their spouses. The designated home state must be a state where the therapist holds a license in good standing. Other participating states may still charge their own fees, although they may reduce or waive them. The home-state designation can remain in place during the service member's active duty.

Participating states share therapist licensing and discipline records through a joint commission that sets binding rules. The commission may charge participating states and therapists receiving permission to practice to cover its operating costs. Participating states must check each new licensee's criminal background at initial licensing. States cannot submit criminal history records to the shared database. Significant investigation information is available only to participating states. The agreement does not authorize discipline for care that was legal in the participating state where it occurred. The commission comes into existence on or after the agreement takes effect.