(a) Each person seeking licensure as a respiratory care practitioner shall make application on forms prescribed by the commissioner, pay an application fee of one hundred ninety dollars and present to the commissioner satisfactory evidence that (1) such person has successfully completed an educational program for respiratory therapists or respiratory therapy technicians which, at the time of such person’s completion, was accredited by the Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation, or the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, in cooperation with the Joint Review Committee for Respiratory Therapy Education, or was recognized by the Joint Review Committee for Respiratory Therapy Education or accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation for Respiratory Care, and (2) such person is credentialed as a certified respiratory therapist or registered respiratory therapist as demonstrated by achieving a passing score on the entry level or advanced practitioner respiratory care examination administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, the department may issue a license as a respiratory care practitioner to a person who (1) has been registered as a respiratory therapist by the Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists, (2) has passed the clinical simulation examination of the National Board for Respiratory Care, and (3) is currently credentialed by said board as a registered respiratory therapist. Each person seeking licensure pursuant to this subsection shall make application on forms prescribed by the commissioner, pay an application fee of one hundred ninety dollars and present to the commissioner satisfactory evidence of his credentialing by said society and said board.

(c) The department may, upon receipt of an application for respiratory care licensure, accompanied by the licensure application fee of one hundred ninety dollars, issue a temporary permit to a person who has completed an educational program in respiratory care which satisfies the requirements of subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of this section. Such temporary permit shall authorize the permittee to practice as a respiratory care practitioner under the supervision of a person licensed pursuant to this section. Such practice shall be limited to those settings where the licensed supervisor is physically present on the premises and is immediately available to render assistance and supervision as needed, to the permittee. Such temporary permit shall be valid from the date of issuance of same until the date of issuance of the results of the first examination administered pursuant to subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of this section, following the permittee’s completion of said educational program in respiratory care. Such permit shall remain valid for each person who passes said examination until the permittee receives their license from the department. Such permit shall become void and shall not be reissued in the event that the permittee fails to pass said examination. No permit shall be issued to any person who has previously failed said examination or who is the subject of an unresolved complaint or pending professional disciplinary action. Violation of the restrictions on practice set forth in this section may constitute a basis for denial of licensure as a respiratory care practitioner.

(d) Licenses shall be renewed annually in accordance with the provisions of § 19a-88. The fee for renewal shall be one hundred five dollars.

(e) No license shall be issued under this section to any applicant against whom professional disciplinary action is pending or who is the subject of an unresolved complaint in this or any other state or territory.

(f) The commissioner may adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 to administer provisions of sections 20-162n to 20-162q, inclusive.