Ask Mary | June 2024

What are the requirements in California for a licensed vocational nurse to perform respiratory tasks while employed by a licensed home health agency?   

In September of 2022, SB 1426 was passed into law. The bill provides that a licensed vocational nurse who is employed by a licensed home health agency who performs respiratory tasks or services identified by the Respiratory Care Board of California does not violate the Respiratory Care Practice Act if, before January 1, 2025, the licensed vocational nurse has completed patient-specific training satisfactory to their employer, and, on or after January 1, 2025, the licensed vocational nurse has completed patient-specific training by the employer pursuant to guidelines that the bill would require the Respiratory Care Board of California to promulgate in collaboration with the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians of the State of California. The two boards have not yet finalized regulations for the training requirements as specified in SB 1426.