The board may take disciplinary action against a license, and may reinstate a restricted license, when a licensee or applicant has unprofessional conduct that endangers public health, welfare, or safety.
§3358. Causes for nonissuance, suspension, revocation, or refusal to renew A. The board may deny, refuse to renew, suspend, revoke, or impose probationary conditions on a license if the licensee or applicant for license has been found guilty of unprofessional conduct which has endangered or is likely to endanger the health, welfare, or safety of the public. Such unprofessional conduct shall include: (1) Obtaining a license by means of fraud, misrepresentation, or concealment of material facts. (2) Violating the code of ethics adopted and published by the American Association for Respiratory Therapy. (3) Conviction or entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to a criminal charge constituting a felony under the laws of Louisiana, of the United States, or of the state in which such conviction or plea was entered. (4) Conviction or entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to any criminal charge arising out of or in connection with the practice of respiratory therapy. (5) Perjury, fraud, deceit, misrepresentation, or concealment of material facts in obtaining a license to practice respiratory therapy. (6) Providing false testimony before the board or providing false sworn information to the board. (7) Habitual or recurring abuse of drugs, including alcohol, which affect the central nervous system and which are capable of inducing physiological or psychological dependence. (8) Solicitation of patients or self-promotion through advertising or communication, public or private, which is fraudulent, false, deceptive, or misleading. (9) Making or submitting false, deceptive, or unfounded claims, reports, or opinions to any patient, insurance company, indemnity association, company, individual, or governmental authority for the purpose of obtaining any thing of economic value. (10) Cognitive or clinical incompetency. (11) Continuing or recurring practice which fails to satisfy the prevailing and usually accepted standards of respiratory therapy in this state. (12) Knowingly performing any act which in any way assists an unlicensed person to practice respiratory therapy, or having professional connection with or lending one's name to an illegal practitioner. (13) Paying or giving any thing of economic value to another person, firm, or corporation to induce the referral of patients to a respiratory therapist. (14) Interdiction by due process of law. (15) Inability to practice respiratory therapy with reasonable competence, skill, or safety to patients because of mental or physical illness, condition, or deficiency, including but not limited to deterioration through the aging process or excessive use or abuse of drugs, including alcohol. (16) Refusal to submit to an examination and inquiry by an examining committee of physicians appointed by the board to inquire into the licensee's physical or mental fitness and ability to practice respiratory therapy with reasonable skill or safety to patients. (17) Practicing or otherwise engaging in any conduct or functions beyond the scope of respiratory therapy as defined by this Chapter or the board's rules. (18) Refusal of the licensing authority of another state to issue or renew a license, permit, or certificate to practice respiratory therapy in that state, or the revocation, suspension, or other restriction imposed on a license, permit, or certificate issued by such licensing authority which prevents, restricts, or conditions practice in that state, or the surrender of a license, permit, or certificate issued by another state when criminal or administrative charges are pending or threatened against the holder of such license, permit, or certificate. (19) Violation of any rules and regulations of the board or any provisions of this Chapter. B. Denial, refusal to renew, suspension, or revocation of a license, or the imposition of probationary conditions upon a licensee may be ordered by the board in a decision made after a hearing in the manner provided by the policies which shall be adopted by the board or by consent of the parties. Any license suspended, revoked, or otherwise restricted may be reinstated by the board. C. The board shall have authority to establish policies regarding denial, suspension, revocation, or refusal to renew an application. Such policies shall be adopted in accordance with the provisions of the Louisiana Administrative Procedure Act. D. A license suspended pursuant to this Section shall be subject to all requirements for renewal during a period of suspension. Acts 1985, No. 408, §1; Acts 2007, No. 142, §2.