Respiratory Care Interstate Compact

Current understanding

Michigan SB 1037 proposes to enact the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact by amending sec. 18701 of 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.18701) and adding secs. 16187h and 18703a to the Public Health Code. If enacted, respiratory therapists holding a license in a member state could practice in Michigan without obtaining a separate Michigan license, following the multistate compact model already advancing for physical therapists, occupational therapists, and physician assistants. Bill status: introduced.

Evidence log

• 2026-05-21 — Education: all other employees; school psychologist licensure compact; enact. Creates new act.: cross-connection with school-psychologist-licensure-compact: Part of a wave of Michigan interstate occupational licensure compacts expanding credential portability. (novelty: 3)
• 2026-05-21 — Health occupations: respiratory therapists; licensure for respiratory therapists; modify. Amends secs. 16204, 16344, 18701, 18703, 18707 & 18709 of 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.16204 et seq.) & adds secs. 18710 & 18712.: cross-connection with occupational-licensing-health: HB 5150 amends the same respiratory therapist licensure sections (18701, 18703, 18707, 18709) that the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact bill (SB 1037) also touches, indicating parallel restructuring of respiratory therapist regulation. (novelty: 2)
• 2026-07-22 — Health occupations: physician’s assistants; physician’s assistants licensure compact; provide for. Amends secs. 16337 & 18001 of 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.16337 & 333.18001) & adds secs. 16187d, 17011b, 17061a, 17511b & 18011b.: cross-connection with physician-assistant-licensure-compact: Both are health-occupation interstate licensure compacts advancing in the 103rd Legislature; the PA compact is now enacted. (novelty: 3)
• 2026-07-22 — Health occupations: physical therapists; physical therapy licensure compact; enact. Amends 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.1101 - 333.25211) by adding sec. 16187a. TIE BAR WITH: HB 4102’25: cross-connection with occupational-licensing-compact: Physical therapy and respiratory care compact bills form a coordinated set of interstate health-licensure compacts advancing under the Public Health Code. (novelty: 3)
• 2026-06-11 — Health occupations: respiratory therapists; respiratory care interstate compact; provide for. Amends sec. 18701 of 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.18701) & adds secs. 16187h & 18703a.: cross-connection with occupational-licensing-compact: Both bills apply the same interstate licensure compact framework to different health professions (physical therapy vs. respiratory care), amending the Public Health Code in parallel structure. (novelty: 2)

Open questions

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