Title and purpose

(a) This compact shall be known and cited as the "Respiratory Care Interstate Compact." The purpose of this compact is to facilitate the interstate practice of respiratory therapy with the goal of improving public access to respiratory therapy services by providing respiratory therapists licensed in a member state the ability to practice in other member states. The compact preserves the regulatory authority of states to protect public health and safety through the current system of State licensure. (b) This compact is designed to achieve the following objectives: (1) Increase public access to respiratory therapy services by creating a responsible, streamlined pathway for licensees to practice in member states with the goal of improving outcomes for patients; (2) Enhance states’ ability to protect the public’s health and safety; (3) Promote the cooperation of member states in regulating the practice of respiratory therapy within those member states; (4) Ease administrative burdens on states by encouraging the cooperation of member states in regulating multi-state respiratory therapy practice; (5) Support relocating active military members and their spouses; and (6) Promote mobility and address workforce shortages.