HLO News Details

​On November 15, 2022, then Governor Brown signed Executive Order 22-24 declaring a state of emergency due to a surge in respiratory infections, including but not limited to RSV, influenza, and COVID-19 in Oregon. Since then, the Health Licensing Office (Office) has received inquiries regarding how out-of-state respiratory therapists, mobilizing to Oregon, can assist with the outbreak. 

In accordance with ORS 676.568(1)(o) and OAR 331-030-0025 (see entire law and rule language on the following page), the Office has authority to issue authorizations to individuals authorized to practice respiratory therapy in another state if the Governor of Oregon declares a state of emergency. 

Respiratory therapists from out-of-state who have been requested to provide respiratory therapist services in Oregon due to the Governor declared state of emergency must send specific information to HLO. The easiest way to do this is to send an email to hlo.info@odhsoha.oregon.gov with the following information: 

1. In the subject line of all emails: RT Emergency Response – Name of Respiratory Therapist.
   
2. A completed Out-of-State Respiratory Therapist Application​.
   
3. A copy (front and back) of current photographic federal or state identification. Do not cut out the photos, leave them on a full-size piece of paper.
4. A copy of permanent, active, and unrestricted authorization to practice respiratory therapy in another state with no pending investigation or disciplinary action by a state board, or another state or federal agency. Once received, the Office will verify if the authorization is permanent, active, and unrestricted, with no pending investigation or disciplinary action.
5. Documentation demonstrating a request to provide services by an Office-recognized public health organization, an Emergency Medical Service agency, a county, state, or federal entity as the result of the declared state of emergency. This documentation may include, but is not limited to, a letter or email from a hospital or county health department. 

Once the Office receives and verifies all required documentation, an email response will be sent directly to the respiratory therapist from an Office representative approving them to practice until the termination date of the declared disaster or emergency. 

If you have any questions, or if you do not have email and need an alternative way to provide HLO with the required information for state of emergency licensure, contact: 

ORS 676.568(1)(o)

(1) The Health Licensing Office is responsible for the administration and regulatory oversight of the boards, councils and programs listed in ORS 676.583. The responsibilities of the office include, but are not limited to:

(o) Adopting rules for the issuance of waivers or provisional authorizations to practice, and establishing special conditions of practice, during a state of emergency declared by the Governor under ORS 401.165

OAR 331-030-0025 Emergency Response

(1) In the event of a disaster or emergency declared by the Governor of Oregon, the Office may allow authorization holders who are licensed in another state, performing services in a field of professional practice regulated by the Office to practice in Oregon under special provisions during the period of the declared disaster or emergency, subject to such limitations and conditions as the Governor may prescribe.

(2) Out-of-state authorization holders must submit to the Office:

(a) Verification of a permanent, active and unrestricted authorization to practice in another state with no pending investigation or disciplinary action by a state board, or another state or federal agency; and

(b) Current photographic federal or state identification.

(c) Documentation demonstrating a request to provide services by an Office-recognized public health organization, Emergency Medical Service agency, county, state or federal entity as the result of the declaration of a disaster or emergency.

(3) The authorization holder may not practice in Oregon under the special disaster or emergency provisions beyond the termination date of the declared disaster or emergency as prescribed by the Governor.