RÉSUMÉ DIGEST ACT 304 (HB 404) 2017 Regular Session Hensgens Existing law authorizes the La. State Board of Medical Examiners (LSBME) to issue a polysomnographic technologist license to an applicant who demonstrates all of the following: (1)Good moral character. (2)Current credentials as a registered polysomnographic technologist granted by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists or equivalent organization approved by the LSBME. (3)The satisfaction of all other requirements of the LSBME. Prior law required an applicant for a polysomnographic technologist license after July 1, 2017, to meet both of the following criteria: (1)Applicant has graduated from a course accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Program (CAAHEP). (2)Applicant has passed an examination that is administered as a component of a certification program that is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies, the American National Standards Institute, or other national accrediting organizations approved by the LSBME. New law repeals the requirement that the applicant be a graduate of a CAAHEP- accredited program. Existing law prohibits an individual from engaging or attempting to engage in the practice of polysomnography or performing or attempting to perform polysomnograms unless the individual is licensed by the LSBME. Prior law provided a licensure exception for an individual enrolled in a program accredited by CAAHEP if both of the following conditions were met: (1)The polysomnographic procedure or service was within the individual's course of study. (2)The polysomnography procedure or service was performed under the direct supervision of a physician or a polysomnographic technologist licensed by the LSBME. New law expands the licensure exception to any individual pursuing a course of study in a polysomnographic technology education program approved by the LSBME. Existing law exempts licensed respiratory therapists from the requirement to have a license from the LSBME to perform polysomnography. New law establishes an additional licensure exception for an individual pursuing a course of study in a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care if the polysomnographic procedure or service is within the individual's course of study and is performed under the direct supervision of a physician or polysomnographic technologist licensed by LSBME. Prior law defined "Association of Polysomnographic Technologists" as the national trade association for the promotion and advancement of the interests of polysomnographic technologists and technicians. New law repeals prior law. Requires the LSBME to promulgate all administrative rules and amendments necessary to bring its policies and procedures into conformance with the provisions of new law. Effective August 1, 2017. (Amends R.S. 37:2865(A)(3) and 2869(A)(3) and (B); Repeals R.S. 37:2862(4))