§30-34-9. Temporary student permits.

(a) Subject to the provisions of subsection (d) of this section, the board may issue a temporary student permit to practice respiratory care for a period of up to six months to a student enrolled in a respiratory care educational program which is approved by the board if the student submits:

(1) A student work permit form signed by the program director and by a principal administrative official of the institution where the program is located;

(2) An official transcript indicating successful completion of a minimum of thirty semester hours or the quarter hour equivalent, eighteen of which must be specific to respiratory care core curriculum, and at least two hundred clinical hours;

(3) Documentation from the program director and by a principal administrative official of the institution where the program is located stating that the student has successfully completed didactic and clinical competency requirements equal to the first year curriculum and approved by the board; and

(4) A signed permit application form and an initial permit application fee as prescribed by rule.

(b) A student practicing under a temporary student permit may work only under the supervision of an employee of the same department with a minimum Licensed Respiratory Therapist Certified credential issued by the board and who is present on the premises and available to the student at all times.

(c) A student practicing under a temporary student permit may not use worked paid hours as a substitute for clinical rotations required by his or her respiratory care educational program.

(d) Upon expiration of the initial permit, the student may apply for one renewal permit for up to six additional months by providing documentation from the program director stating the student is actively enrolled in at least nine semester hours, and is making satisfactory progress in his or her respiratory care core curriculum and clinical rotations, and payment of a renewal fee as prescribed by rule.

(e) The board may promulgate emergency rules, pursuant to the provisions of section fifteen, article three, chapter twenty-nine-a of this code, to set forth those procedures which may be delegated to a student practicing under a temporary student permit and fees for issuance and renewal of temporary student permits. The board may not issue temporary student permits unless and until the rule authorized by this subsection is in effect.