Section 333.18709 - Licensure requirements; rules; temporary license; interim standards(1) The department shall promulgate rules under section 16145 as necessary or appropriate to fulfill its functions under this article. In promulgating rules to establish requirements for licensure under section 16145, the department shall adopt all of the following requirements: (a) Successful completion of an accredited respiratory therapist training program approved by the department.(b) Having at least a 2-year associate's degree from an accredited college or university approved by the department.(c) Having the credential conferred by the national board for respiratory care or its successor organization as a respiratory therapist or its successor credential, as approved by the department.(2) The department shall issue a license as a respiratory therapist to an individual who had either of the credentials as a registered respiratory therapist or certified respiratory therapist, or their predecessor credentials, conferred by the national board for respiratory care, or its predecessor organization, on or before the effective date of this part, and who applies for licensure as a respiratory therapist within 1 year after the effective date of this part.(3) The department shall issue a license as a respiratory therapist to an individual who is a holder of a temporary license as a respiratory therapist if a holder of a temporary license meets all of the following requirements:(a) Applies for licensure as a respiratory therapist prior to the expiration of his or her temporary license as prescribed in section 18711(2).(b) Provides proof to the department that he or she has successfully completed the national credentialing exam by the national board for respiratory care or its successor organization, as approved by the department.(4) The department may utilize the standards contained in the clinical practice guidelines issued by the American association of respiratory care that are in effect on the effective date of this part as interim standards, which are adopted by reference, until rules are promulgated under subsection (1).Added by 2004, Act 3, s 9, eff. 7/1/2004.