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How do I get AIDS/HIV training?
A minimum of seven hours of AIDS
education and training is required for
respiratory therapy licensure in Washington
State.
Information on the availability of
HIV/AIDS courses or the AIDS curriculum can
be obtained though the following:
http://www.doh.wa.gov/cfh/HIV/Prevention/training/default.htm
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How much is the application fee?
Fee information can be found at the
following:
http://www.doh.wa.gov/hsqa/professions/respiratory_care/fees.htm
How long does the application process take?
Current processing times can be found
through the following:
http://www.doh.wa.gov/hsqa/hpqa/AppStatus.htm
If I have a student-issued transcript, can I send that with my application?
No. All required documentation must be
sent directly from the issuing institution
to the Department of Health, Respiratory
Therapy Program, P.O. Box 47877, Olympia, WA
98504-7877.
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How do personal data questions affect my application?
A "yes" answer to a personal data
question or the existence of a criminal
conviction does not automatically prohibit
the department from issuing a credential. If
you answer "yes" on any of the personal data
questions or if criminal history appears on
a criminal background check, your file will
be evaluated on an individual basis. The
application now becomes an exception file
and the normal application processing time
does not apply.
Should I apply for a temporary practice permit?
Temporary practice permits are available
in two different situations:
-
If you are a new graduate and are only
waiting to take the examination, you may
apply for a temporary practice permit.
If it is issued, it will allow you to
work up to ninety days while you wait to
take the exam. If you receive noticed
you have failed the examination you must
cease to practice immediately.
-
If you are an out-of-state applicant who
is or has been credentialed as a
respiratory therapist in another state,
you may qualify for a temporary practice
permit. This permit is granted to those
who meet all of the required
qualifications, except the AIDS
education. The permit allows you to work
for up to ninety days while you receive
the AIDS education.
*Specific requirements are included in
the Respiratory Care License Application
Packet
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If I'm licensed in another state, can I begin practicing once you have my application?
No. You must have a valid Washington
respiratory therapy license before
practicing as a respiratory therapist.
I'm nationally certified, do I need to be licensed in Washington to practice?
Yes. No person may practice or represent
himself or herself as a respiratory care practitioner
without first applying for and receiving
from the department a license to practice.
How many hours am I required to report and when?
To renew a respiratory therapy license,
you must have 30 hours of continuing
education every two years. Respiratory
therapists must have completed this
requirement by their birth date every two
years. The continuing education hours must
have been obtained during the preceding two
years, from birth date to birth date. If you
are reporting this year, any CE that was
obtained before your birth date two years
ago or after your current birth date cannot
be used to satisfy the continuing education
or employment requirement. The expiration
date for all credentials is the
practitioner's birthday.
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Can I get an extension of time to complete my continuing education?
Extensions may be granted for emergency
situations only. It is not advisable to wait
until the CE is due to request the
extension. If you have exhausted all
possibilities for fulfilling your continuing
competency requirements and are
contemplating requesting an extension, keep
in mind that extensions of time to complete
continuing competency requirements are only
granted for extenuating circumstances.
Examples of circumstances that are not
considered to be extenuating are:
Employer no longer pays for CE/limited
personal funds
Where do I get information on continuing education classes?
The Department of Health does not provide
information about continuing education
courses. It is your responsibility to find
courses that meet the requirements of the
respiratory therapy rules that define what
qualifies for continuing education credit.
For more information, please read WAC
246-928-442 Acceptable continuing education.
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=246-928-442
When in doubt, the Department of Health
recommends that you not report the course as
part of the thirty-hour continuing education
requirement for renewal.
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What happens if I am audited?
The Department of Health audits a
percentage of all currently licensed
respiratory therapists to ensure compliance
with the continuing competency requirements.
If audited, you will be required to provide:
What is the process for having a verification of my Washington respiratory therapy license sent to another jurisdiction?
Submit a written request and a check or
money order made payable to:
Department of Health
Respiratory Therapy Program
P. O. Box 1099
Olympia, WA 98507-1099
Fee information can be found at the
following:
http://www.doh.wa.gov/hsqa/professions/respiratory_care/fees.htm
How much is my renewal fee?
Fee information can be found at the
following:
http://www.doh.wa.gov/hsqa/professions/respiratory_care/fees.htm
What if I didn't receive my renewal notice?
The renewal notice is a courtesy
reminder. You must renew your license on or
before the date of expiration with or
without a renewal notice. The expiration for
all credentials is the practitioner's
birthday. You can call our Customer Service
Center at 360.236.4700 to verify correct
address is on record. If your address has
changed, you can go to our
Web
site and change your address on line.
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