Frequently Asked Questions

Applicant

How long do I have to complete my application? Please understand that section 456.013(1)(a), Florida Statutes, provides that an incomplete application shall expire one year after initial filing with the department. Your application will expire upon the date we receive your application.

Must I take a medical errors course prior to submitting my application? No. However, the two-hour medical errors course is mandated by statute for all initial licensees and for every licensee renewal. Applicants will be required to complete the medical errors course prior to licensure.

Do you issue temporary permit? No, the Board of Respiratory Care no longer issue temporary permits for applicants applying by endorsement or exam.

Do you issue student exemptions? No, the Board of Respiratory Care no longer issue student exemptions.

Can I apply through the Florida Board of Respiratory Care to take the NBRC exam? As of January 2005, the only method for licensure is by endorsement. You must apply directly to NBRC to take the national exam before applying for licensure by endorsement.

When will my license expire? All licenses expire on May 31st of each odd year, regardless of the date of issuance. It may be that the license is only valid for a few months.

Can I have the license verification faxed to your office? No. The license verification must be mailed and must have the official seal of the state board as well as the signature of the person that verified the license.

I just passed my registry examination, can I start using the RRT designation before I upgrade my licensure status? No. Florida law requires that anyone using the RRT designation must be licensed as an RRT through the State of Florida. Do not use the RRT designation on your charts, name badge, business cards, or anything until you are licensed to do so.

What do the license prefixes TUN and TUC. These designations apply to persons that were licensed under the grandfather clause. The TUN licensees may or may not have had any formal training, they did not pass any respiratory exam, but they did document proof of performing non-critical care duties. So they are licensed to perform non-critical care duties only. The TUC licensees may or may not have had any formal training, they did not pass any respiratory exam, but they did document proof of performing critical care duties. So they are licensed to perform critical care duties.

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When does my license expire? The licenses expire on May 31st of each odd year regardless of when the license is initially granted during the biennium.

How long is my license valid? Each license is valid for two years. Regardless of when the license is initially granted during the biennium, it will expire on the expiration date of that biennium. It may be that the license is only valid for a few months.

What is a licensure biennium? A licensure biennium is the twenty-four month period between expiration dates. The biennium is June 1st through May 31st of every odd-numbered year. It is during this time period that the continuing education requirements must be met for each renewal cycle.

What is a renewal cycle? The renewal cycle starts between 90 to 120 days prior to the expiration date of a license and ends on the expiration date. It is during this time that you receive your renewal notice and when licensees begin sending in their renewal notices and fees to renew the license for the next biennium. It is your responsibility to notify the department of a change of address.

(Note: Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing.)

How do I renew if I do not receive a renewal notice? Renewal notices are mailed out approximately 90 to 120 days prior to the expiration date. MQA On-line Services account ID and passwords can be found directly on the renewal notice. It is your responsibility to make sure you renew on time. If you do not receive a renewal notice, the Department can provide you with you account ID and password over the telephone or by email. To receive an account ID and password over the telephone, you should contact the Department at (850) 488-0595 and press menu option 3 and someone will assist you with this information. To receive an account ID and password by email, you can email your request to LicensureServices@doh.state.fl.us Blank renewal forms are published on the website and may be found through the Current Licensee portion. There is no grace period after your expiration date.

What happens if I do not renew on time? Failure to renew by the expiration date will cause the license to become delinquent. It is unlawful to practice your profession in Florida on a delinquent license. To renew a delinquent license, you must submit the renewal fee plus the delinquency fee. In addition, you must make the following statement along with your check: “I affirm compliance with all renewal requirements including the continuing education requirement.”

Can I place my license in the inactive category and be exempt from the continuing education requirements? No, all licensees must accrue continuing education. You may request to put your license in the inactive status and pay the inactive fee. Also, you must renew and pay that inactive status each renewal period. The only advantage to inactive status is that you do not have to maintain continuing education hours during the current biennium; however, when you reactivate to an active status you must complete continuing education equal to the time you have been inactive. If you went inactive during the biennium cycle, you will have to show proof of the two previous years.

Who provides the continuing education courses required for license renewal? Continuing education credits are awarded only for educational experiences received through one of the organizations named in 64B32-6, F.A.C. and may be self-reported through CE Broker (Website: www.CEBroker.com) When you receive your course certificate, make sure their approval number is noted prominently and clearly on the certificate.

How many home study hours can I have? Up to 12 hours per biennium.

How much continuing education is required for me to renew? 24 contact hours of approved continuing education is required to renew. If you obtain more than 24 hours, those excess hours cannot be carried forward or counted retroactively. The 24 contact hours includes the Prevention of Medical Errors education required by section 456.013(7), F.S. Completion of an approved three hour HIV/AIDS course for the first renewal after initial licensure is required.

Do I have to complete an HIV/AIDS education course? As of July 1, 2006, licensees will no longer be required by Chapter 456, F.S., to take an HIV/AIDS course for each renewal.

A newly licensed registered or certified respiratory therapist is required to take a three hour approved HIV/AIDS course for his/her first renewal. You will not be exempt from this requirement.

How many hours of Prevention of Medical Errors must I take? Two hours for renewal and for initial licensure. Course must also include the following:
a) medication errors, including missed treatments,
b) documentation errors,
c) equipment errors,
d) patient errors and
e) communication errors;

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I am already licensed in Florida and have just passed my registry exam. If I wait until the second year of the biennium to upgrade my status, will I be exempt from the continuing education requirements? No, that exemption only applies to persons who are not already licensed in respiratory care. Upgrading your status does not exempt you from the CE requirements.

How can I file a complaint against a licensee? Go to the MQA and select on How to File a Complaint

How can I check if someone is licensed? Go to the MQA and select on the License Lookup option.

How can I get a list of licensee information? Go to the MQA and select on Obtaining Licensee Data.

How can I become a Board member? Board members are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. You may apply by contacting the Governor’s Appointment Office at (850) 488-2183.

Who can attend Board meetings? All Board meetings are open to the public and you are encouraged to attend.

How can I get a Board agenda? You may request to be placed on the Board's Interested Parties. The Board routinely sends out Agenda Outlines to interested parties 7-10 days prior to an upcoming board meeting. Copies of the full “public” agenda are also available, but are subject to a duplication fee.

How can I get an item placed on the Board's agenda? Send the item to the Board's staff office with a letter requesting that it be included on the next meeting's agenda.