NC S160

Creates a new "Advanced Respiratory Care Practitioner" (ARCP) license category for practitioners who complete postgraduate advanced practice respiratory therapy programs and pass advanced-level examinations from the National Board for Respiratory Care

Defines the scope of practice for ARCPs, allowing them to perform cardiovascular and cardiopulmonary care under physician supervision while prohibiting medical diagnosis, prescribing, surgery, anesthesia delivery, and final interpretation of sleep studies or pulmonary function tests

Requires all licensees to self-report within 30 days any felony arrest or indictment, DWI/DUI arrests, or arrests related to controlled substances

Updates education requirements to recognize accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) and removes examination fees and provisional endorsement fees from the statute

Effective date of October 1, 2025, with the NC Respiratory Care Board required to adopt implementing rules by that date