Respiratory CareRespiratory Care means the health specialty responsible for the treatment, management, diagnostic testing, control, and care of patients with deficiencies and abnormalities associated with the cardiopulmonary system. (Description Continued)
Respiratory Care continued.......
Respiratory care is the branch or system of treating the sick which is limited to assisting in the prevention, diagnosis and therapeutic treatment of respiratory disorders by various means, including the administration of medical gases, oxygen therapy, ventilation therapy, artificial airway care, bronchial hygiene therapy, aerosolization of pharmacological agents, respiratory rehabilitation therapy and other treatment, testing, evaluation and rehabilitation procedures performed under the direction of a physician, but not including the use of general anesthetic agents.
Requirements for Respiratory Care Licensure
To qualify for licensure based on examination taken on or before July 17, 1986, you must submit:
- A completed
application;
- Verified documentation of passing the Registered Respiratory Therapist examination administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care, Inc. (NBRC prior to July 17, 1986) with a minimum score of 75 on a scaled score ranging from 1 to 99;
- A copy of a driver’s license or an official birth or marriage certificate to show evidence of having attained at least the age of majority (19); and
- Licensure fee
To qualify for licensure based on examination taken after 7/17/86, you must submit:
- A completed
- An official transcript (official means issued and sealed by the issuing institution) showing completion of an approved training program.
- Verified documentation of passing the CRT examination administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care, Inc. (NBRC) with a minimum score of 75 on a scaled score ranging from 1 to 99;
- A copy of a driver’s license or an official birth or marriage certificate to show evidence of having attained at least the age of majority (19); and
- Licensure fee
To qualify for licensure based on a license issued in another jurisdiction, you must submit:
- A completed
- A copy of a driver’s license or an official birth or marriage certificate to show evidence of having attained at least the age of majority (19);
- Licensure fee
Have the licensing or certifying agency submit to the Department of Regulation and Licensure, Licensing & Regulatory Affairs:
- A certification that the applicant is duly licensed or certified, that his/her license or certificate has never been suspended or revoked, and that so far as the record of the agency is concerned, the applicant is entitled to its endorsement. The form to send to the licensing or certifying agency is included in the application.
In addition, if the jurisdiction does not provide the examination and education information on their certification, you must submit the following:
- An official transcript (official means issued and sealed by the issuing institution) showing completion of an approved training program.
- Verified documentation of passing the CRT examination administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care, Inc. (NBRC) with a minimum score of 75 on a scaled score ranging from 1 to 99.
Examination Requirements
Pass the CRT examination from the National Board for Respiratory Care, Inc. (NBRC).
For Information on examination fees, application and deadlines, contact:
National Board for Respiratory Care, Inc. (NBRC)
NBRC Executive Office
18000 W. 105th Street
Olathe, KS 66061-7543
e-mail: NBRC-info@nbrc.org
Phone: (913) 895-4900
Fax: (913) 895-4650
www.nbrc.org
These forms may be completed online, however, they cannot be submitted via e-mail due to the fact that all applications and forms require original signatures. If you complete the form online, you must print the form and mail it to the address below.
Fees (if applicable) are payable to the "Licensing & Regulatory Affairs".
Licensing & Regulatory Affairs
PO Box 94986
Lincoln, NE 68509-4986
Renewal Information
All respiratory care licenses expire June 1 of each even numbered year. The Department shall send each licensee at least 30 days prior to June 1 of each even numbered year, a renewal notice to the licensee’s last known address of record. The licensee must pay the renewal fee and attest to completion of 20 hours of approved continuing education taken during the preceding 24 month period. The licensee may choose to either place his/her license on inactive status by paying the $25.00 fee and returning the completed renewal notice or may choose lapsed status by marking the lapsed option and returning the completed renewal notice.
Inactive – Means that you cannot practice but may represent yourself as having an inactive license. To change from inactive to active status you must meet renewal requirements which are in effect at the time status change is requested.
Lapsed – Means that you cannot practice nor represent yourself as a licensed person. To change from Lapsed status to Active status, you must make application and meet requirements for initial licensure which are in effect at the time status change is requested.
Continuing Education
To renew a license on June 1 of each even-numbered year, each licensee must complete 20 hours of acceptable continuing education hours earned within 24 months of the date of expiration. For more information on acceptable continuing education programs, see the
Name and Address Change
To request an address change, you can contact Irene Eckman at (402) 471-2299 or e-mail at irene.eckman@dhhs.ne.gov. If you wish to change your name on your Licensing & Regulatory Affairs record, you must mail a
Licensing & Regulatory Affairs
Respiratory Care
PO Box 94986
Lincoln, NE 68509-4986
Duplicates/Reissue
Duplicates: A duplicate large license or small license card may be requested at the time of initial licensure. A $10.00 fee, per document, is required.
Reissue: A large license and/or small license card may be reissued when the licensee requests: additional documents; replacement of original document(s) due to loss, mutilation or destruction; or replacement of document(s) due to a name change.
To request a reissued license, you must submit a request for
Licensing & Regulatory Affairs
Respiratory Care
PO Box 94986
Lincoln NE 68509-4986
Rules and Regulations/Statutes
Board of Respiratory Care Information
The Board of Respiratory Care advises the Department of Health and Human Services Regulation and Licensure on all issues related to the regulation of respiratory care. Board member composition and length of terms follows:
| Membership: | 2 respiratory care practitioners 1 physician 1 public member |
| Length of Term: | 5 years, no more than 2 consecutive full 5-year terms. |
| Professional Requirements: | Been actively engaged in practice of his/her profession in the State of Nebraska, under a license issued in this state, for a period of 5 years just preceding his/her appointment. |
| Public Member: |
|
The Board of Respiratory Care meets at least 1 time per year – see Board meeting schedule for meeting dates and times. Meetings are open to the public, with the exception of investigational matters. Minutes of meetings are available here or by contacting Delores James at (402) 471-2299 or by e-mail at delores.james@dhhs.ne.gov
Board Advisory Opinions
LPNs & Respiratory Care
This Nebraska Board of Nursing advisory opinion is issued in accordance with
It is the opinion of the Board that it is acceptable practice for LPNs to provide chest percussion, aerosol treatment and IPPB therapy. Additionally, it is appropriate practice for LPNs to perform naso-pharyngeal and oral pharyngeal suctioning. LPN practice may include tracheal suctioning for purposes of maintaining an open airway; it is not appropriate practice for LPNs to provide bronchial tree suctioning.
LPNs may assist with ventilator care by making observations, and by recording and reporting such observations. It is not appropriate for LPNs to independently implement nursing actions based upon conclusions or assessments drawn from their observations, i.e., make ventilator adjustments.
A licensed nurse is accountable to be competent for all nursing care that he/she provides. Competence means the ability of the nurse to apply interpersonal, technical and decision-making skills at the level of knowledge consistent with the prevailing standard for the nursing activity being applied. Accountability also includes acknowledgment of personal limitations in knowledge and skills, and communicating the need for specialized instruction prior to providing any nursing activity.
Approved: January 1988
Reaffirmed: April 1996
Contact Us
Office Address:
| Mailing Address | Physical Address |
| Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services - Regulation
and Licensure Licensing & Regulatory Affairs PO Box 94986 Lincoln, NE 68509-4986 |
Nebraska State Office Building 301 Centennial Mall South 14th and M Streets 3rd Floor Lincoln, Nebraska |
Phone: (402) 471-2115
Fax: (402) 471-3577Office Hours:
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (central time)
Monday through FridayRespiratory Care Licensing Questions:
Irene Eckman, Licensing & Regulatory Affairs Specialist
Phone: (402) 471-2299
e-mail: irene.eckman@dhhs.ne.govRespiratory Care Scope of Practice Questions:
Diane Hansmeyer, Section Administrator
Phone: (402) 471-2299
e-mail: diane.hansmeyer@dhhs.ne.gov
Other Contacts
National Board for Respiratory Care, Inc
18000 W. 105th Street
Olathe, KS 66061-7543
Phone: (913) 895-4900
FAX: (913) 895-4650
e-mail: nbrc-info@nbrc.org
web site: www.nbrc.orgAmerican Association for Respiratory Care
11030 Ables Lane
Dallas, TX 75229
e-mail: info@aarc.org
web site: www.aarc.orgCommittee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care
1248 Harwood Road
Bedford, Texas 76021-4244
e-mail: info@coarc.com
web site: www.coarc.com/index.htmlNebraska Society for Respiratory Care
web site: www.nsrc-online.org/
Certification/Verification
Certification and Verification information can be obtained by checking the website at: www.dhhs.ne.gov/lis/lisindex.htm
OR
To request either a certification or verification or your license to be sent to another Licensing & Regulatory Affairs/state licensing agency, send your request in writing along with the proper fee to the our office. Checks should be made payable to Licensing & Regulatory Affairs, State of Nebraska.
Certification
- Fee - $25.00
- Certification includes:
- Name
- Profession
- License number
- Issuance date
- Expiration date
- Whether the license was granted by examination, waiver, or reciprocity
- Examination information, if available
- Whether disciplinary action has been taken against the license. If so, the type(s) and date(s) of the action will be included.
- SEAL of the Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services
Verification
- Fee - $5.00
- Verification includes:
- Name
- Profession
- License Number
- Expiration Date
- Department Staff Signature
A verification does not include the SEAL of the Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services nor information relating to discipline, school, or examination.
Licensee Assistance Program
The Licensee Assistance Program (LAP) is an assessment, education, referral, case management, and monitoring service designed to help licensees, certificate holders, and registrants of the State of Nebraska work through substance abuse/addiction problems.
The LAP services are free. However, in some cases treatment from a community resource agency may be needed. If further assistance is needed, the LAP Coordinator will help refer the Licensee to the most appropriate agency. When a treatment referral is made, those expenses become the responsibility of the Licensee.
This program was established by
LAP telephone number: (800) 851-2336 or (402) 354-8055. You may also visit their website at www.lapne.org
How do I file a complaint? To file a complaint, see the Investigations Division web site: www.dhhs.ne.gov/reg/investi.htm
What activities must be reported by a licensee, certificate holder, or registrant? Every credentialed person who has first-hand knowledge of unlicensed, illegal or unethical activities is required to report (includes self-reporting) within 30 days of the occurrence. Failure to report may result in discipline. To view additional information relating to mandatory reporting, click on the options below:
Mandatory Reporting Forms
reported)Mandatory Reporting shall not apply:
- to the spouse of the person,
- to a practitioner who is providing treatment to such person in a practitioner-patient relationship concerning information obtained or discovered in the course of treatment unless the treating practitioner determines that the condition of the person may be of a nature which constitutes a danger to the public health and safety by the person's continued practice, or
- when a credentialed person who is chemically impaired enters the Licensee Assistance Program authorized by
How is a complaint reviewed, and what is the disciplinary process? The following provides information relating to the complaint, investigative, and disciplinary process.
- Investigations web site www.dhhs.ne.gov/reg/investi.htm
Documents in PDF format require the use of Adobe Acrobat Reader which can be downloaded for free from Adobe Systems, Inc.
.
