RCP BULLETIN
68-10725
________________
Website:  http://www.tdh.state.tx.us/hcqs/plc/resp.htm	
A Newsletter for Texas Respiratory Care Practitioners

E-MAIL:  resp@tdh.state.tx.us								
Vol. 5 No. 1
Winter, 2001



YOU CAN'T AFFORD 
TO FORGE AN RCP 
IDENTIFICATION 
CARD

Forgery of a RCP card 
is tampering with a 
government document 
and a FELONY.  

Penal Code 37.10 (a) 
states: A person 
commits an offense if 
he:  (1) knowingly 
makes a false entry in, 
or false alteration of, a 
governmental record… 
(d) An offense under 
this section is a felony 
of the third degree if it 
is shown on the trial of 
the offense that the 
governmental record is 
(a license, certificate, 
permit, seal, 
title)…unless the actor's 
intent… is to defraud or 
harm another, in which 
event the offense is a 
felony of the second 
degree.







FORGERIES HAVE 
INCREASED  
A number of altered/forged 
renewal cards have been used 
by persons who are not certified 
as Respiratory Care 
Practitioners.  Please refer to 
Respiratory Care Practitioners 
certification rules.  §123.14. 
Violations, Complaints, and 
Subsequent Actions.
(b) Types of offenses and 
prohibited actions.  A person is 
guilty of a Class B 
misdemeanor if:
…(4)  a person sells, 
fraudulently obtains, or 
furnishes any respiratory care 
diploma, certificate, permit or 
record;
(5) a person practices 
respiratory care under a 
respiratory care diploma, 
certificate, permit, or record 
illegally or fraudulently 
obtained or issued;
(6) a person practices 
respiratory care during the time 
that person's certificate or 
permit is suspended, revoked, 
or expired;

To check the status of an RCP 
certificate, temporary permit or 
renewal, check for the RCP's 
name on the RCP Roster on the 
Respiratory Care webpage at:  
http://www.tdh.state.tx.us/hcqs/
plc/rcrost.htm



The Texas Occupations Code, 
Chapter 604, Respiratory Care 
Practitioners Act, states:  
§604.101. Certificate or 
Temporary Permit Required; 
Supervision
(a) A person may not represent 
that the person is able to 
practice respiratory care or that 
the person is a respiratory care 
practitioner unless the person 
holds a certificate or temporary 
permit issued under this 
chapter.
(b) A person may not practice 
respiratory care other than 
under the direction of a 
qualified medical director or 
other physician licensed by the 
Texas State Board of Medical 
Examiners.

If you know someone who has 
forged a respiratory care 
diploma, certificate, permit or 
record, please report this to 
the Respiratory Care 
Program at (512) 834-6632.
 
DO NOT give your card 
to anybody other than 
appropriate supervisory staff 
at your job!
DO NOT present or 
accept copies of RCP cards.  
Ask to see the original!
DO NOT fax a copy of 
your card or certificate to 
anybody!


NEW! Rules Update
$30.00 ADDITIONAL FEE FOR CONTINUING 
EDUCATION EXTENSION - Effective January 1, 2002

Rather than increase the renewal fees for all 
respiratory care practitioners, there will be an additional 
fee of $30.00 if you need a continuing education extension.  
NO EXCEPTIONS! 12 hours of continuing education is due at 
time of renewal or pay an additional fee of $30.00.



Section 123.4.  Fees.  New! An additional fee 
of $50.00 is required for any returned checks.  


New! Section 123.15 concerning Informal 
Dispositions was added.


Section 123.14.  Violations, Complaints, 
and Subsequent Actions. 
New! (h) (5) was added.  A person whose 
application is denied or whose temporary 
permit or certificate is revoked is ineligible 
for a temporary permit or certificate under 
this Act for one year from the date of the 
denial, or revocation or surrender. 


CONTINUING 
EDUCATION (CE) 
TIPS

*	ALL CE must be pre-
approved unless offered 
by a respiratory care 
education program 
accredited by CoARC.

*	ALL CE must directly 
relate to the performance 
of respiratory care 
procedures or to a cardio-
respiratory disease or 
condition in human 
beings.

*	A maximum of 4 hours 
of internet-based or 
computer-based CE 
courses are allowed if the 
course is approved in 
advance by AARC, 
TSRC or certain other 
organizations, and if the 
topic directly relates to 
respiratory care.

*	At least 8 hours must be 
instructor-directed.  Only 
4 hours may be computer 
or internet based courses.

*	If in a CE extension, fax 
or mail ALL certificates 
reflecting successful 
completion of 12 hours 
of credit.  Do this at least 
10 days prior to the 
expiration of a CE 
extension to (512) 834-
4518, Attention: RCP 
Program.

*	If faxing or mailing CE 
certificates less than 10 
days before your 
certificate expires, the 
RCP Program cannot 
guarantee that a renewal 
card will be issued before 
the extension expires.

*	Please allow at least 2 
working days after 
sending a fax BEFORE 
calling the RCP Program.  
Please include on the fax 
your social security 
number, name, and 
phone number where you 
may be reached between 
8a.m. and 5p.m. M-F, or 
your e-mail address.

*	Only ONE 90 day 
extension can be granted 
each CE period.  No 
exceptions.

*	A maximum of 12 hours 
of advanced life support 
courses (ACLS, PALS, 
NALS, NRP) is allowed 
each CE period.  The 
course must be taken 
during the current CE 
period or during an 
extension.

*	The RCP Program 
recommends keeping CE 
documentation for at 
least 3 years after a 
renewal card is issued.

*	ALL CE must be 
completed between your 
CE start date and end 
date.  Please read the 
enclosure that is mailed 
with your renewal card.  
Each RCP will have a 
new CE start and end 
date every year.

*	No, your CE period is 
not the same as the 
person you work with or 
know.

*	Send in copies of CE 
certificates.  Do Not send 
originals!

*	Know the groups that 
approve, recognize or 
assign CE credit:

American Association for 
Respiratory Care (Category 1 
only)
American Association of Critical 
Care Nurses
American College of Cardiology
American College of Chest 
Physicians
American Medical Association 
(Category 1 only)
American Nurses Association
American Society of 
Anesthesiologists
American Thoracic Society
Texas Education Agency
Texas Society for Respiratory Care
Texas Thoracic Society


FROM THE DAY 
YOU MAIL YOUR 
RENEWAL:

1.  Renewal/application/ 
checks go to a lockbox for 
opening, processing and 
entering into our system; 
they may not reach the RCP 
Program for 2-3 weeks.

2.  After receipt, staff enters 
the changes into your file on 
the RCP database and make 
preparations for printing 
your card.

3.  Cards are printed only on 
Wednesdays.  The fees and 
all documentation must be 
processed by Tuesday 
afternoon of the week the 
cards print.




4.  The website is usually 
updated by Friday afternoon.

5.  Sometimes there are 
unforeseen delays due to the 
mail, check processing, and 
other reasons beyond our 
control.  Mail your renewal 
EARLY.


TOP 10 WAYS TO 
HELP EXPEDITE 
YOUR RENEWAL

?	Complete the renewal 
form BEFORE mailing 
your fee.

?	Read the enclosures sent 
with your renewal.

?	Read the information 
regarding continuing 
education.

?	Make early renewal a 
high priority.  Wait 4 to 5 
weeks after mailing your 
completed renewal for 
renewal cards to be 
processed.

?	Wait at least 2 working 
days BEFORE calling 
the RCP Program after 
faxing continuing 
education documentation 
for staff to review.

?	Check the status of a 
renewal on the RCP 
Roster at: 
http://www.tdh.state.tx.
us/hcqs/plc/rcrost.txt

?	Report address changes 
to TDH in writing within 
30 days.  E-mail a 
change of address to 
resp@tdh.state.tx.us

?	Be sure to answer ALL 
items on the renewal 
form.

?	Get forms and 
information at: 
http://www.tdh.state
.tx.us/hcqs/plc/resp.
htm 

?	Open and read ALL 
correspondence from the 
TDH/RCP program 
immediately.  Renewing 
late will result in 
penalties and may 
postpone your return to 
work up to 4 or 5 weeks.


INACTIVE STATUS: 

To be placed on inactive 
status, submit a written 
request BEFORE your 
license expires.  If you are 
on a CE extension, you are 
not eligible.  No refunds 
will be given, and no fees 
or CE is needed while 
inactive.  Of course, you 
are not allowed to practice 
respiratory care while on 
inactive status.

TO REACTIVATE: 

(1) Notify TDH in writing

(2) Complete a reactivation 
form (on the website or we'll 
send you one)

(3) Submit $45.00 
reactivation fee

(4) Provide proof of 
successful completion of 12 
hours of CE earned during 
the 12 months prior to 
applying for active status.



DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS

The TDH has reported disciplinary actions to 
the National Practitioner Data Bank on the following 
Respiratory Care Practitioners.  For more information 
on the specific disciplinary actions or to view a 
list of Respiratory Care Practitioners with expired 
licenses, please visit our TDH website at  
http://www.tdh.state.tx.us/hcqs/plc/resp.htm.



Akins, Diana
Alpert, Kenneth
Anaya, Eddie
Baker, Thomas
Barrera, Luis
Bell, Sean
Beyer-Tice, Beth
Bloyd, Amy
Blurton, Lola Jean
Bradbery, Sherri
Bradley, Gary
Brigance, Troy Bradley
Brown, June
Buchanan, Vicki
Carrio, Mike
Copeland, Stacy
Covin, Lesa
Crowson, David
Daughtry, Gary
Delp, Leslie
Doyle, Larry
Drinning, Sheri
Edwards, David
Ellis, Brad
Flores, Martin
Goble, Scott 
Graham, Richey
Handsaker, Paula
Holt, Pamela
Iwu, Mathias
Johnson, Kristi 
Jones, Gayla
Kidd, Shannon
Kirby, Vicki
Leal, Leonel
Lindsey, Anthony
Lopez, Daniel
Lucio, Juan
Lutz, Robert
Lysell, Cheryl
Martinez, Lozeno
Martin, Daniel
McClain, Marilyn
Morford, Deanna
Morgan, Richard
Moton, Jerry
Norris, Danny
Obike, Florence
Ordona, Ronnie 
Palmeri, Thomas
Papp, William
Pate, Vick
Phillips, Cheryl
Pickering, Robert
Porterfield, Greg
Randle, Jesse
Reed, Richard
Robinson, Johnie
Rose, Michael
Ross, Douglas
Sanders, Jennifer
Sanders, Teresa
Scott, Susan
Scurlock, Claude III
Segura, Armando
Simpson, LaSonya
Slaton, Jimmie Ted (2)
Smith, Larry Carlyle
Spurgers, Linda
Stewart, Leonard
Stuart, David
Tamez, Maria
Tetens, Anita
Trammell, James
Trantham, Anthony
Tristan, Christine
Tucker, Stephanie
Waller, Donna 
Wilhite, Lori
Wright, Amy
Wyatt, Dana




________________________________________________________________________________
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	NBRC	(913) 599-4200
	TSRC (972) 680-2455
	AARC (972) 243-2272


RCP Program:  512/834-6632
Fax:  512/834-4518 
Attn:  Respiratory Care Program

Use this address to send fees without coupons:
TDH/Respiratory Care Practitioners
P. O. Box 12197
Capitol Station
Austin, Texas 78711-2197

Use this address to send correspondence:
TDH/Respiratory Care Practitioners
1100 W 49th Street
Austin, Texas 78756-3183