(a) The board may waive the examination, education or experience requirements and grant licensure to any applicant who presents proof of current licensure or registration as a respiratory therapist in another state, the District of Columbia or territory of the United States which requires standards for licensure or registration determined by the board to be equivalent to the requirements for licensure under this act.

(b) At the time of making an application under this section, the applicant shall pay to the board the application fee as required under Kan. Stat. Ann. § 65-5509, and amendments thereto.

(c) The board may issue a special permit to a student enrolled in an approved school of respiratory therapy who applies for such special permit on a form provided by the board and who pays to the board the special permit fee as required under Kan. Stat. Ann. § 65-5509, and amendments thereto. The special permit shall authorize a student who is enrolled in an approved school of respiratory therapy and who holds such special permit to practice respiratory therapy under the supervision of a licensed respiratory therapist. Such special permit shall expire 30 days after the date that the student graduates from an approved school of respiratory therapy or otherwise ceases to be enrolled in an approved school of respiratory therapy.

(d) The board may issue a temporary license to an applicant for licensure as a respiratory therapist who applies for temporary licensure on a form provided by the board, who meets the requirements for licensure or who meets all of the requirements for licensure except examination and who pays to the board the temporary license fee as required under Kan. Stat. Ann. § 65-5509, and amendments thereto. Temporary licenses issued prior to July 1, 2010, shall expire one year from the date of issue or on the date that the board approves the application for licensure, whichever occurs first. Temporary licenses issued on or after July 1, 2010, shall expire six months from the date of issue or on the date that the board approves the application for licensure, whichever occurs first. No more than one such temporary license shall be permitted to any one person.