(a) The Respiratory Care Advisory Council (Council) consists of 7 members, 1 of whom is a physician member of the Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline. The remaining 6 council members are individuals trained in respiratory care who have been licensed and primarily employed in the practice of respiratory care in this State for at least 2 of the 3 years immediately prior to appointment. The Council may elect officers as necessary.

(b) Each Council member is appointed by the Board for a term of 3 years, and may succeed himself or herself for 1 additional 3-year term. A person appointed to fill a vacancy on the Council is entitled to hold office for the remainder of the unexpired term of the former member. Each term of office expires on the date specified in the appointment; however, a Council member whose term of office has expired remains eligible to participate in Council proceedings until replaced by the Board. A person who has never served on the Council may be appointed to the Council for 2 consecutive terms, but the person is thereafter ineligible for appointment to the Council except as hereinafter provided. A person who has been twice appointed to the Council or who has served on the Board for 6 years within any 9-year period may not again be appointed to the Council until an interim period of at least 1 year has expired since the person last served. A member serving on the Council may not be an elected officer or a member of the board of directors of any professional association of respiratory care practitioners.

(c) The Council shall promulgate rules and regulations governing the practice of respiratory care, after public hearing and subject to the approval of the Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline. The Board must approve or reject within 60 days proposed rules or regulations submitted to it by the Council. If the Board fails to approve or reject the proposed rules or regulations within 60 days, the proposed rules or regulations are deemed to be approved by the Board.

(d) The Council shall meet quarterly, and at such other times as license applications are pending. The Council shall, from time to time, present to the Board the names of individuals qualified to be licensed or qualified to receive temporary licenses, and shall recommend disciplinary action against licensees as necessary, and shall suggest changes in operations or regulations.

75 Del. Laws, c. 141, §  1;  70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1;  77 Del. Laws, c. 319, §  1;  81 Del. Laws, c. 97, § 10; 

(a) As used in this subchapter:

(1) “Respiratory care” means the allied health profession, under the direction of a person certified to practice medicine, which is responsible for direct and indirect services in the treatment, management, diagnostic testing, control, and care of patients with deficiencies and abnormalities associated with the cardiopulmonary system. Respiratory care includes inhalation therapy and respiratory therapy.

(2) “Respiratory care practitioner” or “RCP” means an individual who practices respiratory care in accord with the requirements of this subchapter;

(b) A respiratory care practitioner works under the general supervision of a person certified to practice medicine, whether by direct observation and monitoring, by protocols approved by a person certified to practice medicine, or by orders written or verbally given by a person certified to practice medicine. A respiratory care practitioner may evaluate patients and make decisions within parameters defined by a person certified to practice medicine and by the Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline. The work performed by a respiratory care practitioner includes, but is not limited to:

(1) Collecting samples of blood, secretions, gases, and body fluids for respiratory evaluations;

(2) Measuring cardiorespiratory volumes, flows, and pressures;

(3) Administering pharmacological agents, aerosols, and medical gases via the respiratory route;

(4) Inserting and maintaining airways, natural or artificial, for the flow of respiratory gases;

(5) Controlling the environment and ventilatory support systems such as hyperbaric chambers and ventilators;

(6) Resuscitating individuals with cardiorespiratory failure;

(7) Maintaining bronchopulmonary hygiene;

(8) Researching and developing protocols in respiratory disorders;

(9) Performing pulmonary function studies; and

(10) The use of telemedicine as defined in this chapter and, as further described in regulation, the use of and participation in telehealth.

(c) Nothing in this subchapter is intended to limit, preclude, or otherwise interfere with the professional activities of other individuals and healthcare providers formally trained and licensed by the State.

(d) An individual who is licensed pursuant to this subchapter, who is not being investigated or sanctioned in relation to unprofessional conduct or physical, mental, emotional, or other impairment, and who has passed an examination that includes the subject matter of 1 or more of the professional activities included in subsection (b) of this section may not be prohibited from performing those professional activities passed in the examination, provided that the testing body that administered the examination is approved by the Board.

70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1;  70 Del. Laws, c. 203, §  1;  72 Del. Laws, c. 171, §  1;  74 Del. Laws, c. 262, §  30B;  75 Del. Laws, c. 141, §  1;  77 Del. Laws, c. 319, §  1;  80 Del. Laws, c. 80, §  5; 

(a) The requirements for licensure by the Board as a respiratory care practitioner are:

(1) The applicant must successfully complete a national qualifying examination with a passing grade that leads to a credential conferred by the National Board for Respiratory Care, Inc. (NBRC), or its successor organization, as a certified respiratory therapist (CRT) and/or as a registered respiratory therapist (RRT); or

(2) The applicant must possess a current license in a state which has licensing requirements equal to or exceeding the requirements of this subchapter, and there may not be any outstanding or unresolved complaints pending against the applicant;

(3) The applicant:

a. May not have been assessed any administrative penalties regarding the applicant’s practice of respiratory care, including but not limited to fines, formal reprimands, license suspension or revocation (except for license suspension or revocation for nonpayment of license renewal fees), and probationary limitations; and

b. May not have entered into a consent agreement which contains conditions placed by a Board or other authority on the applicant’s professional conduct or practice, including the voluntary surrender of the applicant’s license while under investigation for misconduct.

However, the Board may, after a hearing, waive the requirement of paragraph (a)(3)a. of this section if the administrative penalty prevents the issuance of a license;

(4) The applicant may not have an impairment related to the current use of drugs or alcohol which substantially impairs the practice of respiratory care with reasonable skill and safety;

(5) The applicant may not have been convicted of or may not have admitted under oath to having committed a crime substantially related to the practice of respiratory care. “Substantially related” means that the nature of the criminal conduct for which the person was convicted or to which the person admitted under oath has a direct bearing on the person’s fitness or ability to perform 1 or more of the duties or responsibilities necessarily related to the practice of respiratory care. The Board shall promulgate regulations specifically identifying the crimes which are substantially related to the practice of respiratory care;

(6) The applicant may not have a criminal conviction record or a pending criminal charge for a crime that is substantially related to the practice of respiratory care. An applicant who has a criminal conviction record or a pending criminal charge must arrange for information about the record or charge to be provided directly to the Board by the appropriate authorities.

(b) Waiver of requirements. — The Respiratory Care Advisory Council, by the affirmative vote of 5 of its members and with the approval of the Board within 30 days of the vote, may waive any of the requirements of subsection (a) of this section if its finds all of the following by clear and convincing evidence:

(1) The applicant’s education, training, qualifications, and conduct have been sufficient to overcome the deficiency or deficiencies in meeting the requirements of this section;

(2) The applicant is capable of practicing respiratory care in a competent and professional manner;

(3) The granting of the waiver will not endanger the public health, safety, or welfare; and

(4) For waiver of a conviction, if, after consideration of the factors set forth in § 8735(x)(3) of Title 29, the Board determines that granting a waiver would not create an unreasonable risk to public safety, the Board shall grant a waiver of paragraphs (a)(5) and (a)(6) of this section.

(5) [Repealed.]

(c) License denial. — If it appears to the Board that an applicant has been intentionally fraudulent or that an applicant has intentionally submitted, or intentionally caused to be submitted, false information as part of the application process, the Board may not issue a license to the applicant and must report the incident of fraud or submitting false information to the Office of the Attorney General for further action.

(d) Temporary license. — The Executive Director of the Board, with the approval of a member of the Council, may issue a temporary permit to an applicant for licensure who has presented a completed application to the Board. A temporary permit issued under this paragraph is valid for a period of not more than 90 days and may not be renewed. Only 1 temporary permit may be issued under this paragraph.

(e) License suspension, revocation, or nonrenewal. — (1) The Council, after appropriate notice and hearing, may recommend to the Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline that the Board revoke, suspend, or refuse to issue a license, or place the licensee on probation, or otherwise discipline a licensee found guilty of unprofessional conduct. Unprofessional conduct includes, but is not limited to, fraud, deceit, incompetence, gross negligence, dishonesty, or other behavior in the licensee’s professional activity which is likely to endanger the public health, safety, or welfare. The Council and Board may take necessary action against a respiratory care practitioner who is unable to render respiratory care services with reasonable skill or safety to patients because of mental illness or mental incompetence, physical illness, or the excessive use of drugs, including alcohol. Disciplinary action or other action taken against a respiratory care practitioner must be in accordance with the procedures for disciplinary and other actions against physicians, including appeals as set forth in subchapter IV of this chapter, except that a hearing panel for a complaint against a respiratory care practitioner consists of 3 unbiased members of the Regulatory Council, the 3 members being the chair of Council and 2 other members, if practicable.

(2) a. If the Board or the Respiratory Care Advisory Council receives a formal or informal complaint concerning the activity of a respiratory care practitioner and the Council members reasonably believe that the activity presents a clear and immediate danger to the public health, the Council may issue an order temporarily suspending the respiratory care practitioner’s license to practice pending a hearing upon the written order of the Secretary of State or the Secretary’s designee, with the concurrence of this Council Chair or the Chair’s designee. An order temporarily suspending a license to practice may not be issued by the Council unless the respiratory care practitioner or the respiratory care practitioner’s attorney received at least 24 hours’ written or oral notice prior to the temporary suspension so that the respiratory care practitioner or the respiratory care practitioner’s attorney can be heard in opposition to the proposed suspension. An order of temporary suspension pending a hearing may remain in effect for no longer than 60 days from the date of the issuance of the order unless the temporarily suspended respiratory care practitioner requests a continuance of the hearing date. If the respiratory care practitioner requests a continuance, the order of temporary suspension remains in effect until the hearing panel convenes and a decision is rendered.

b. A respiratory care practitioner whose license to practice has been temporarily suspended pursuant to this section must be notified of the temporary suspension immediately and in writing. Notification consists of a copy of the complaint and the order of temporary suspension pending a hearing personally served upon the respiratory care practitioner or sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the respiratory care practitioner’s last known address.

c. A respiratory care practitioner whose license to practice has been temporarily suspended pursuant to this section may request an expedited hearing. The Council shall schedule the hearing on an expedited basis, provided that the Council receives the request within 5 calendar days from the date on which the respiratory care practitioner received notification of the decision of the Council, with the approval of the Board, to temporarily suspend the respiratory care practitioner’s license to practice.

d. As soon as possible after the issuance of an order temporarily suspending a respiratory care practitioner’s license to practice pending a hearing, the Council President shall appoint a 3-member hearing panel. After notice to the respiratory care practitioner pursuant to paragraph (e)(2)b. of this section, the hearing panel shall convene within 60 days of the date of the issuance of the order of temporary suspension to consider the evidence regarding the matters alleged in the complaint. If the respiratory care practitioner requests in a timely manner an expedited hearing, the hearing panel shall convene within 15 days of the receipt of the request by the Council. The 3-member panel shall proceed to a hearing and shall render a decision within 30 days of the hearing.

e. In addition to making findings of fact, the hearing panel shall also determine whether the facts found by it constitute a clear and immediate danger to public health. If the hearing panel determines that the facts found constitute a clear and immediate danger to public health, the order of temporary suspension must remain in effect until the Board deliberates and reaches conclusions of law based upon the findings of fact made by the hearing panel. An order of temporary suspension may not remain in effect for longer than 60 days from the date of the decision rendered by the hearing panel unless the suspended respiratory care practitioner requests an extension of the order pending a final decision of the Board. Upon the final decision of the Board, an order of temporary suspension is vacated as a matter of law and is replaced by the disciplinary action, if any, ordered by the Board.

75 Del. Laws, c. 141, §  1;  70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1;  75 Del. Laws, c. 436, §  14;  77 Del. Laws, c. 319, §  1;  77 Del. Laws, c. 325, §  19;  78 Del. Laws, c. 44, §§  18, 19;  81 Del. Laws, c. 97, § 11;  83 Del. Laws, c. 433, § 11; 

This subchapter governs the practice of respiratory care practitioners. If a procedure or action is not specifically prescribed in this subchapter, but is prescribed in the subchapters relating to the practice of medicine, and the procedure or action would be useful or necessary for the regulation of respiratory care practitioners, the Board may, in its discretion, proceed in a manner prescribed for physicians in the practice of medicine.

75 Del. Laws, c. 141, §  1; 

The Division of Professional Regulation shall establish reasonable fees for licensing respiratory care practitioners and for biennial license renewal. A licensee, when renewing a license, shall provide documentation of continuing education related to respiratory care pursuant to the continuing education requirements for respiratory care practitioners established by the Advisory Council.

75 Del. Laws, c. 141, §  1; 

(a) A person may not practice respiratory care in this State or represent that the person is a respiratory care practitioner or knowingly allow himself or herself to be represented as a respiratory care practitioner unless the person is licensed under this subchapter, except as otherwise provided in this chapter.

(b) A person who, contrary to the provisions of this subchapter, practices or attempts to practice respiratory care within the State or represents that the person is a respiratory care practitioner or knowingly allows himself or herself to be represented as a respiratory care practitioner shall be fined not less than $500 nor more than $2,000 or imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both.

(c) The Office of the Attorney General is charged with the enforcement of this subchapter.

(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, a respiratory therapist having a current license issued in another state or the District of Columbia may provide respiratory care within their scope of practice in connection with the interstate transport of a patient without obtaining a license to practice respiratory care in this State. This exemption is limited to the immediate transport need.

75 Del. Laws, c. 141, §  1;  70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1;  79 Del. Laws, c. 130, §  1; 

(a) Every person to whom a license to practice has been issued under this subchapter has a duty to report to the Division of Professional Regulation in writing information that the licensee reasonably believes indicates that any other practitioner licensed under this chapter or any other health-care provider has engaged in or is engaging in conduct that would constitute grounds for disciplinary action under this chapter or the other health-care provider’s licensing statute.

(b) Every person to whom a license to practice has been issued under this subchapter has a duty to report to the Division of Professional Regulation in writing information that the licensee reasonably believes indicates that any other practitioner licensed under this chapter or any other health-care provider may be unable to practice with reasonable skill and safety to the public by reason of: mental illness or mental incompetence; physical illness, including deterioration through the aging process or loss of motor skill; or excessive abuse of drugs, including alcohol.

(c) Every person to whom a license to practice has been issued under this subchapter has a duty to report to the Division of Professional Regulation any information that the reporting person reasonably believes indicates that a person certified and registered to practice medicine in this State is or may be guilty of unprofessional conduct or may be unable to practice medicine with reasonable skill or safety to clients by reason of: mental illness or mental incompetence; physical illness, including deterioration through the aging process or loss of motor skill; or excessive use or abuse of drugs, including alcohol.

(d) All reports required under subsections (a), (b) and (c) of this section must be filed within 30 days of becoming aware of such information. A person reporting or testifying in any proceeding as a result of making a report pursuant to this section is immune from claim, suit, liability, damages, or any other recourse, civil or criminal, so long as the person acted in good faith and without gross or wanton negligence; good faith being presumed until proven otherwise, and gross or wanton negligence required to be shown by the complainant.

81 Del. Laws, c. 97, § 12;