Important Notice for Initial Licensure Applicants and RenewalsJuly 21, 2011 During the 2009 Florida Legislative Session, Senate Bill 1986 was passed changing Florida Statute (FS), Section 546.0635. This change in law became effective July 1, 2009. The new law requires the Florida Department of Health and/or the Florida Board of Respiratory Care to refuse to issue a license if the applicant has been:
The Department of Health and the Board of Respiratory Care have developed business procedures to fully implement the provisions of this law. Please use the applications, as they currently appear online, until rules are adopted that will replace these applications with updated versions. For license renewal, this law applies to offenses occurring after July 1, 2009. If you meet one of the disqualifying requirements above, you will be asked to return your license. It is important for licensed respiratory therapists, respiratory therapists and students petitioning the state of Florida for licensure, and those considering entering a respiratory therapy education program to be aware of the implementation of Section 546.0635 FS. The Florida Society for Respiratory Care (FSRC) encourages licensees, students, potential students, hospital administrators, and respiratory therapy educators to be aware of the implications of SB 1986 as it relates to licensure. The FSRC encourages those affected by these changes to cooperate with the Florida Board of Respiratory Care for resolution. The FSRC also encourages licensed therapists and applicants to exhibit professional responsibility by accurately self-reporting any violations of the law pertaining to this change in statute or other offences described in Florida’s respiratory care practice act. Information about the Florida Board of Respiratory Care can be found at: http://www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa/respiratory/index.html. The Florida Board of Respiratory Care can be contacted by email at: [email protected] or by calling (850) 245-4373. Thank you. |