OAR 331-710-0023: Respiratory Therapist - Inactive and Expired Provisional Authorizations in the Event of a Declared State of Emergency

(1) In the event of an emergency declared by the Governor of Oregon, the Office may allow respiratory therapists holding an inactive or expired authorization to practice in Oregon under special provisions during the period of the declared emergency, subject to such limitations and conditions as the Governor may prescribe. (2) To qualify, the respiratory therapist must: (a) Have had an active license with the Office as a respiratory therapist within the past five years; (b) Have been in good standing at the time the respiratory therapist’s license became inactive or expired; (c) Current photographic federal or state identification; and (d) Documentation demonstrating a request to provide services by an Office-recognized hospital, public health organization, Emergency Medical Service agency, county, state or federal entity as the result of the declaration of a disaster or emergency. (3) Provisional authorization, renewal of dormant authorization, activation of inactive authorization, and verification of authorization fees are required pursuant to ORS 676.576. Notwithstanding OAR 331-740-0000, the entire fee for the authorization is $50.00. (4) The authorization holder may not practice in Oregon under the emergency provisions beyond the termination date of the declared emergency as prescribed by the Governor. The license may be returned to its previous status or to an inactive status prior to the license expiration date if the licensee is no longer providing care in response to the declared emergency. ( 5 ) Any restrictions or requirements imposed against a licensee by the Respiratory Therapist and Polysomnographic Technologist Licensing Board, or its predecessor board, Order or Agreement remain in effect during the period of the declared emergency.