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| Applicant Questions | |
| Q: | Can I apply through the Florida Board of Respiratory Care to take the NBRC exam? |
| A: | The only method for licensure is by endorsement. You must apply directly to NBRC to take the national exam. |
| Q: | When will my license expire? |
| A: | 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. |
| Q: | I just passed my registry examination, can I start using the RRT designation before I upgrade my licensure status? |
| A: | 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. |
| Q: | What do the license prefixes TUN and TUC. |
| A: | 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. |
Back to Top | Licensee Questions |
| Q: | When does my license expire? |
| A: | Licenses expire on May 31st of each odd year regardless of when the license is initially granted during the biennium. |
| Q: | How long is my license valid? |
| A: | 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. |
| Q: | What is a licensure biennium? |
| A: | 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. |
| Q: | What is a renewal cycle? |
| A: | 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 instructions and when licensees begin renewing the license for the next biennium. It is your responsibility to notify the department of a change of address. |
| Q: | What happens if I do not renew on time? |
| A: | 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." |
| Q: | Can I place my license in the inactive category and be exempt from the continuing education requirements? |
| A: | You can request to put your license in the inactive status and pay the inactive fee. Also, you renew and pay that inactive status each renewal period. All licensees must accrue continuing education. The only advantage to inactive status is that you do not have to maintain continuing education hours; 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. |
| Q: | How much continuing education is required for me to renew? |
| A: | 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. |
| Q: | Who provides the continuing education courses required for license renewal? |
| A: | 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. |
| Q: | How many home study hours can I have? |
| A: | Up to 12 hours per biennium. |
| Q: | How many hours of Prevention of Medical Errors must I take? |
| A: | Two hours for renewal and for initial licensure. Course must also include the following:
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Back to Top | General Questions |
| Q: | 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? |
| A: | 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. |
| Q: | How can I file a complaint against a licensee? |
| A: | You may print the Complaint Form from our website or call (850) 488-0595 or (850) 414-1976 to request one by mail. To file a complaint on a non-medical related business or profession, please visit the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. |
| Q: | How can I check if someone is licensed? |
| A: | You may use our License Look-Up Search Screen. |
| Q: | How can I get a list of licensee information? |
| A: | To obtain an electronic listing of active and inactive licensee’s mailing addresses and license status for DOH/MQA regulated professions use our Licensee Data Information service. Please note: The department does not maintain email addresses, fax or telephone numbers in the normal course of business. |
| Q: | How can I become a Board member? |
| A: | Board members are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. For more information about Gubernatorial Appointments, please visit the Governors website at: http://wp.flgov.com/appointments/ |
| Q: | Who can attend Board meetings? |
| A: | All Board meetings are open to the public and you are encouraged to attend. |
| 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. | |
| Q: | How can I get a Board agenda? |
| A: | You may request to be placed on the Board's Interested Parties list. 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. |
| Q: | How can I get an item placed on the Board's agenda? |
| A: | Send the item to the Board's staff office with a letter requesting that it be included on the next meeting's agenda. |
Back to Top |
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| MISSION: | To protect, promote & improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, & community efforts. |
| VISION: | To be the Healthiest State in the Nation |
| PURPOSE: | To protect the public and make Florida the healthiest state in the nation through health care licensure, enforcement, and information. |
| FOCUS: | To be the nation's leader in quality health care regulation. |
| VALUES: | I CARE (Innovation, Collaboration, Accountability, Responsiveness, Excellence) |
