The Oregon Respiratory Care Board (RCB) has issued a temporary rule defining the services that may be provided in an accredited sleep facility by someone who does not hold a state license to practice respiratory care. This is a temporary rule to allow the legislature to develop licensing standards for sleep technologists. The Temporary Administrative Rule expires April 30, 2011.

This temporary rule was negotiated with the Oregon Sleep Society (OSS) with the understanding that legislation will establish a clear-cut solution on a scope of practice for sleep technologists. The OSS is working with the RCB to develop this legislative proposal. Under the temporary rule, sleep facilities have to be hospital based or AASM accredited or in the AASM accreditation process to be in compliance.

This outcome happened through considerable effort on the part of the OSS. The AASM is continuing to work with the OSS on the development of statutory language.