Responsibilities of Certification Holders and Employers

Employers' Responsibilities

• Ensure that all new employees have current "certification" cards prior to their hire.
   
• If a practitioner's status is in question, call the KBRC at 859-246-2747 or 859-246-2748 to verify "certification" status.
  
  
• Ensure that "student" practitioners responsibilities include only those job functions they are able to do by law.
  
  
• Renewal forms are mailed to those practitioners due to renew their mandatory certificates on or around November 2. The "certificates" expire and terminate January 30. Those practitioners who have not renewed by January 30 cannot, by law, practice respiratory care until they have reinstated. You may want to track the renewals of your employees because anyone working after January 30 without a current license is working illegally, and your facility can be audited and funds generated by the practitioner be returned to Medicaid/Medicare
  
  We would suggest the following guidelines:
  
  
• Make sure practioners understand that there is no grace period. Expiration of licensure will be January 30.
  
  
• Kindly post notices to keep addresses current as renewal forms will be mailed November 1.
  
  
• January - remind those individuals who have not yet received their renewal forms to contact the KBRC since "certificates" expire and terminate January 30.
  
  
• January 30 - Those individuals who have not given you a copy of I.D. card cannot work, by law, until they are reinstated.
   

Certification Holders' Responsibilities

"Student"

• You must be currently enrolled in an accredited Respiratory program to hold a "student" certificate.
  
  
• Certificate needs to be acquired if employed for pay - not for clinical purposes.
  
  
• You can only perform the job functions as outlined in the law.
  
  
• Upon graduation, you must immediately apply for a temporary certificate (if employed).

"Temporary"

• Good for six months from date of graduation
  Duties can be performed as if holding a mandatory certificate.
  
  
• Once the NBRC results are received:
   
   Those individuals who have passed must apply for the mandatory certificate.
   
   Those individuals who have failed must cease and desist from practice.

"Mandatory"

• To be held by individuals practicing respiratory care in Kentucky.
  
  
• You are responsible for maintaining your continuing education credits and submitting them to the KBRC either by listing on renewal form or submitting copies if audited.
  
  
• Renewals will be processed by January 30. The mandatory certificates will terminate on January 30 and you are no longer able to practice until you reinstate.
  
  
• Any therapist renewing after January 30 is automatically audited and copies of continuing education credits must be submitted for CEU's no older than 24 months prior to renewal.You are not permitted to work until the processing is complete. Keep an eye on the newsletter or Web page to follow continuing education approval listings (see approved continuing education) (see also denied continuing education) or call the KBRC office.