(a) For the purposes of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:

(1) “Board” means the Medical Board of California.

(2) “Polysomnography” means the treatment, management, diagnostic testing, control, education, and care of patients with sleep and wake disorders. Polysomnography shall include, but not be limited to, the process of analysis, monitoring, and recording of physiologic data during sleep and wakefulness to assist in the treatment of disorders, syndromes, and dysfunctions that are sleep-related, manifest during sleep, or disrupt normal sleep activities. Polysomnography shall also include, but not be limited to, the therapeutic and diagnostic use of oxygen, the use of positive airway pressure including continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and bilevel modalities, adaptive servo-ventilation, and maintenance of nasal and oral airways that do not extend into the trachea.

(3) “Supervision” means that the supervising physician and surgeon shall remain available, either in person or through telephonic or electronic means, at the time that the polysomnographic services are provided.

(b) (1) Within one year after the effective date of this chapter, the board shall promulgate regulations relative to the qualifications for the registration of individuals as certified polysomnographic technologists, polysomnographic technicians, and polysomnographic trainees. The qualifications for a certified polysomnographic technologist shall include all of the following:

(A) He or she shall have valid, current credentials as a polysomnographic technologist issued by a national accrediting agency approved by the board.

(B) He or she shall have graduated from a polysomnographic educational program that has been approved by the board.

(C) He or she shall have passed a national certifying examination that has been approved by the board.

(2) An applicant for registration as a certified polysomnographic technologist may satisfy the qualifications described in paragraph (1) by submitting proof to the board that he or she has been practicing polysomnography for at least five years in a manner that is acceptable to the board. However, beginning three years after the effective date of this chapter, all individuals seeking to obtain certification as a polysomnographic technologist shall have passed a national certifying examination that has been approved by the board.

(c) In accordance with Section 144, any person seeking registration from the board as a certified polysomnographic technologist, a polysomnographic technician, or a polysomnographic trainee shall be subject to a state and federal level criminal offender record information search conducted through the Department of Justice as specified in paragraphs (1) to (5), inclusive, of this subdivision.

(1) The board shall submit to the Department of Justice fingerprint images and related information required by the Department of Justice of all polysomnographic technologist, technician, or trainee certification candidates for the purposes of obtaining information as to the existence and content of a record of state or federal convictions and state or federal arrests and also information as to the existence and content of a record of state or federal arrests for which the Department of Justice establishes that the person is free on bail or on his or her recognizance pending trial or appeal.

(2) When received, the Department of Justice shall forward to the Federal Bureau of Investigation requests for federal summary criminal history information received pursuant to this subdivision. The Department of Justice shall review the information returned from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and compile and disseminate a response to the board.

(3) The Department of Justice shall provide state and federal responses to the board pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (p) of § 11105 of the Penal Code.

(4) The board shall request from the Department of Justice subsequent arrest notification service, pursuant to § 11105.2 of the Penal Code, for persons described in this subdivision.

(5) The Department of Justice shall charge a fee sufficient to cover the cost of processing the request described in this subdivision. The individual seeking registration shall be responsible for this cost.

(d) An individual may use the title “certified polysomnographic technologist” and may engage in the practice of polysomnography only under the following circumstances:

(1) He or she is registered with the board and has successfully undergone a state and federal level criminal offender record information search pursuant to subdivision (c).

(2) He or she works under the supervision and direction of a licensed physician and surgeon.

(3) He or she meets the requirements of this chapter.

(e) Within one year after the effective date of this chapter, the board shall adopt regulations that establish the means and circumstances in which a licensed physician and surgeon may employ polysomnographic technicians and polysomnographic trainees. The board may also adopt regulations specifying the scope of services that may be provided by a polysomnographic technician or polysomnographic trainee. Any regulation adopted pursuant to this section may specify the level of supervision that polysomnographic technicians and trainees are required to have when working under the supervision of a certified polysomnographic technologist or licensed health care professional.

(f) This section shall not apply to California licensed allied health professionals, including, but not limited to, respiratory care practitioners, working within the scope of practice of their license.

(g) Nothing in this chapter shall be interpreted to authorize a polysomnographic technologist, technician, or trainee to treat, manage, control, educate, or care for patients other than those with sleep disorders or to provide diagnostic testing for patients other than those with suspected sleep disorders.

(Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 350, Sec. 23. (SB 943) Effective January 1, 2012.)