(a) A person may not practice respiratory care in this State or represent that the person is a respiratory care practitioner or knowingly allow himself or herself to be represented as a respiratory care practitioner unless the person is licensed under this subchapter, except as otherwise provided in this chapter.
(b) A person who, contrary to the provisions of this subchapter, practices or attempts to practice respiratory care within the State or represents that the person is a respiratory care practitioner or knowingly allows himself or herself to be represented as a respiratory care practitioner shall be fined not less than $500 nor more than $2,000 or imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both.
(c) The Office of the Attorney General is charged with the enforcement of this subchapter.
(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, a respiratory therapist having a current license issued in another state or the District of Columbia may provide respiratory care within their scope of practice in connection with the interstate transport of a patient without obtaining a license to practice respiratory care in this State. This exemption is limited to the immediate transport need.