Senate concurs in interstate compact to ease licensing for respiratory therapists

The Alabama Senate on April 9 concurred with a House amendment to adopt the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, a multi‑state agreement that lets licensed respiratory therapists use a compact privilege to practice in other member states without undergoing a full new licensure process.

Supporters said the compact will make it easier for military families and other mobile health care workers to move between states without losing income or delaying care. The Senate adopted the concurrence motion by voice and recorded vote, 25 ayes, 0 nays.

The compact requires participating states to license respiratory therapists under substantially similar standards, participate in a shared data system for license and disciplinary information, and perform criminal background checks where authorized. Under the compact, a therapist maintains a home‑state license and a separate “compact privilege” to practice temporarily in other member states; adverse actions or disciplinary findings are reportable to the compact commission and can affect the privilege.

Senators who spoke in favor highlighted the shortage of respiratory therapists in parts of the region and said reciprocal licensing can help hospitals and clinics staff critical positions more quickly. Proponents also framed the change as part of broader military‑friendly licensing efforts: compact membership reduces licensing friction when service members and their families relocate.

The bill as amended sets out the commission structure, reporting requirements, and the conditions under which a compact privilege may be granted, renewed or terminated. There was no recorded floor opposition to the concurrence motion.

The Senate’s concurrence sends the measure back to the House for final enrollment to be transmitted to the governor.