A bill for an act relating to licensure as a respiratory care practitioner.

This bill requires new applicants for respiratory care practitioner licensure in Iowa to obtain the national registered respiratory therapist (RRT) credential from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) or its successor, effective January 1, 2027. It also applies to out-of-state licensees seeking Iowa licensure, who must either hold the RRT credential or pass a board-approved exam. Current license holders in Iowa before January 1, 2027, are exempt from the RRT requirement for license renewal unless their license lapsed over three months prior. The bill mandates the licensing board to collaborate with educational institutions to create pathways for certified therapists to earn the RRT credential and develop continuing education programs.