(a) The Arkansas State Medical Board shall register as a respiratory care practitioner and shall issue a license to:

(1) Any person who satisfactorily passes the examination provided for in this chapter, and who otherwise meets the requirements for qualification contained herein and pays a fee not to exceed one hundred fifty dollars ($150);

(2) Any person who furnishes sufficient and satisfactory written evidence to the Arkansas State Medical Board that the person has received registration or certification, or both, by the National Board for Respiratory Care or its successor organization and who, at the time of his or her application, shall pay the Arkansas State Medical Board a fee not to exceed one hundred fifty dollars ($150); and

(3)

(A) Any person, whether or not he or she has passed the examination provided for in this chapter, who through a notarized affidavit submitted to the Arkansas State Medical Board by January 1, 2002, demonstrates that he or she has been engaged in the practice of respiratory care for at least two (2) years during the three (3) consecutive years prior to September 1, 2001, and who submits an application and a fee not to exceed one hundred fifty dollars ($150).

(B) Any person licensed under this provision must complete the entry level requirements for certification in respiratory care and, no later than January 1, 2005, must pass the examination provided for in this chapter.

(b) Each applicant must:

(1) Be at least eighteen (18) years of age;

(2) Be of good moral character;

(3) Have been awarded a high school diploma or its equivalent;

(4) Have satisfactorily completed training in a respiratory care program which has been approved by the Arkansas State Respiratory Care Examining Committee, to include adequate instruction in basic medical science, clinical science, and respiratory care theory and procedures; and

(5) Have passed an examination approved by the Arkansas State Medical Board and the committee, unless exempted by other provisions of this chapter.

(c) All examinations of applicants for a license to practice respiratory care shall be held in designated areas of the state at a time and place published by the Arkansas State Medical Board.

(d) Applicants shall be given written examinations on the following subjects:

(1) Clinical data;

(2) Equipment; and

(3) Therapeutic procedures.

(e) A fee not to exceed the prevailing rate set by the National Board for Respiratory Care or its successor organization must accompany the application.