This section identifies who must be licensed as a respiratory care practitioner with the department and who is exempt from licensure.

(1) Any person performing or offering to perform the functions authorized in RCW 18.89.040 must be licensed as a respiratory care practitioner. A certification, registration or other credential issued by a professional organization does not substitute for licensure as a respiratory care practitioner in Washington state.

(2) The following individuals are exempt from licensure as a respiratory care practitioner:

(a) Any person performing or offering to perform the functions authorized in RCW 18.89.040, who is either registered, certified, licensed, or similarly regulated under the laws of this state and is performing services within the person's authorized scope of practice;

(b) Any person employed by the United States government who is practicing respiratory care as a performance of the duties prescribed for him or her by the laws of and rules of the United States;

(c) Any person who is pursuing a supervised course of study leading to a degree or certificate in respiratory care, if the person is designated by a title that clearly indicates their status as a student or trainee and limited to the extent of demonstrated proficiency of completed curriculum, and under direct supervision;

(d) Any person who is licensed as a registered nurse under chapter 18.79 RCW;

(e) Any person who is practicing respiratory care without compensation for a family member.