1. A. The Board shall license an individual if the individual meets the requirements of §§B and C of this regulation.

2. B. An individual shall be licensed by the Board if the individual:

   1. (1) Is 18 years old or older;
   2. (2) Is of good moral character;

   3. (3) Demonstrates spoken and written competency in English by any of the following:

      1. (a) Graduation from a recognized English-speaking high school or undergraduate or graduate school after at least 3 years of enrollment;
      2. (b) Graduation from a recognized English-speaking professional school; or

      3. (c) Receipt of a grade of:

         1. (i) At least 79 on the Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language; and
         2. (ii) At least 26 on the “Speaking” section of the Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language;
   4. (4) Graduate from an accredited respiratory care educational program; and

   5. (5) Have active certification by the National Certifying Board as at least one of the following:

      1. (a) Certified respiratory therapist; or
      2. (b) Registered respiratory therapist.

3. C. An individual shall submit a completed application form, which includes the following information:

   1. (1) A chronological history of practice-related activities as requested by the Board for:

      1. (a) All periods of time, including each job held; and
      2. (b) Any other activity engaged in, including all periods of unemployment;
   2. (2) Any physical or mental condition that currently impairs the individual’s ability to practice respiratory care;
   3. (3) Any action by a state licensing or disciplinary board or a comparable body in the armed services, denying an application for licensure, reinstatement, or renewal for a health care occupational license;
   4. (4) Any health professional license for which the individual has applied if the application was withdrawn for reasons that would be grounds for disciplinary action;

   5. (5) Any action taken against the individual’s license by a state licensing or disciplinary board, or a comparable body in the armed services, including but not limited to:

      1. (a) Limitations of practice;
      2. (b) Required education;
      3. (c) Admonishment;
      4. (d) Reprimand;
      5. (e) Suspension; or
      6. (f) Revocation;
   6. (6) Any investigation or charges brought against the individual by a state licensing or disciplinary board or comparable body in the armed services;

   7. (7) Copies of:

      1. (a) State licensing or disciplinary board charges;
      2. (b) Final orders; or
      3. (c) Adverse or disciplinary actions;

   8. (8) Any investigation or charge brought against the individual by:

      1. (a) A hospital;
      2. (b) A related institution;
      3. (c) An alternative health care system; or
      4. (d) Any other employer;

   9. (9) Any limitation or loss in privileges by:

      1. (a) A hospital;
      2. (b) A related health care facility;
      3. (c) An alternative health care system; or
      4. (d) Any other employer;
   10. (10) Copies of the complaints, pleadings, and judgments in all malpractice claims;
   11. (11) Copies of all arrests, court orders, orders of probation, certificates or letters of completion, or both, of any mandatory program or disciplinary actions, including final orders for driving while intoxicated or driving while under the influence of a chemical substance or medication;
   12. (12) A plea of guilty or nolo contendere, a conviction, or receipt of probation before judgment for a criminal act; and
   13. (13) A plea of guilty or nolo contendere, a conviction, or receipt of probation before judgment for an alcohol or controlled dangerous substance offense, including but not limited to driving while under the influence of alcohol or controlled dangerous substances.
4. D. An applicant shall pay the required application fee.
5. E. An applicant shall submit a passport-size photograph.

6. F. On forms supplied by the Board, an applicant shall agree to release to the Board all relevant information from appropriate individuals, other institutions, and government agencies including, but not limited to:

   1. (1) The National Practitioner Data Bank;
   2. (2) Hospitals; and
   3. (3) Any other licensing body.
7. G. An applicant for licensure shall inform the Board by certified mail, return receipt requested, within 30 days of the occurrence or notification of any of the circumstances listed in §B of this regulation.
8. H. If reasonable questions regarding an applicant's physical, mental, or professional competency have been raised by the information provided on the application, the Board may request additional information regarding the applicant's competency from the chief of staff of a hospital where the applicant has practiced.
9. I. If an applicant has not passed the National Certifying Board exam for credentialing as a Certified Respiratory Therapist or a Registered Respiratory Therapist within the 5 years immediately preceding the applicant’s application and has not practiced respiratory care for at least 3 of the past 5 years, the Board may require the applicant to take and pass one of those exams as part of the application process.

Authority: Health Occupations Article, §§1-213, 1-606, 14-205(a), 14-5A, and 14-5C-03, Annotated Code of Maryland;
Ch. 328, Acts of 2008

Effective date:

Regulations .01 — .06, .08, and .09 adopted effective November 11, 1991 (18:22 Md. R. 2396)

Regulation .02B amended effective April 25, 1994 (21:8 Md. R. 674)

Regulation .03 amended effective August 1, 1994 (21:15 Md. R. 1306)

Regulation .05-1 adopted effective April 25, 1994 (21:8 Md. R. 674)

Regulation .07 adopted effective February 17, 1992 (19:3 Md. R. 305)

Chapter, Certification of Respiratory Care Practitioners, repealed and new chapter, Licensing of Respiratory Care Practitioners, adopted effective August 25, 1997 (24:17 Md. R. 1215)

Regulation .04 amended effective February 14, 2005 (32:3 Md. R. 290)

Regulation .07 repealed as an emergency provision effective October 1, 2008 (35:21 Md. R. 1822); repealed permanently effective November 3, 2008 (35:22 Md. R. 1957)

Regulation .08 repealed as an emergency provision effective October 1, 2008 (35:21 Md. R. 1822); repealed permanently effective November 3, 2008 (35:22 Md. R. 1957)

Regulation .11 amended as an emergency provision effective October 1, 2008 (35:21 Md. R. 1822); amended permanently effective November 3, 2008 (35:22 Md. R. 1957)

Regulation .12 repealed and new Regulation .12 adopted effective February 14, 2005 (32:3 Md. R. 290)

Regulation .12 amended as an emergency provision effective October 1, 2008 (35:21 Md. R. 1822); amended permanently effective November 3, 2008 (35:22 Md. R. 1957)

Regulation .13 adopted effective August 19, 2002 (29:16 Md. R. 1288)

Regulation .14 adopted effective August 19, 2002 (29:16 Md. R. 1288)

Regulation .15 adopted effective August 19, 2002 (29:16 Md. R. 1288)

Chapter revised effective March 7, 2011 (38:5 Md. R. 317)

Regulation .01E adopted effective January 19, 2026 (53:1 Md. R. 21)

Regulation .02B amended effective January 19, 2026 (53:1 Md. R. 21)

Regulation .04B, C amended effective January 19, 2026 (53:1 Md. R. 21)

Regulation .04D, E adopted effective January 19, 2026 (53:1 Md. R. 21)

Regulation .04F amended effective January 19, 2026 (53:1 Md. R. 21)

Regulation .06 amended effective January 19, 2026 (53:1 Md. R. 21)

Regulation .07 amended effective January 19, 2026 (53:1 Md. R. 21)

Regulation .08 adopted effective May 11, 2015 (42:9 Md. R. 647)

Regulation .09 amended effective January 2, 2017 (43:26 Md. R. 1446)

Regulation .10A amended effective January 19, 2026 (53:1 Md. R. 21)

Regulation .11 amended effective January 2, 2017 (43:26 Md. R. 1446); January 19, 2026 (53:1 Md. R. 21)

Regulation .13A amended effective January 19, 2026 (53:1 Md. R. 21)

Regulation .14B amended effective January 19, 2026 (53:1 Md. R. 21)

Regulation .15 amended effective July 22, 2013 (40:14 Md. R. 1176); January 19, 2026 (53:1 Md. R. 21)

Regulation .16 adopted effective July 22, 2013 (40:14 Md. R. 1176)