California Code, Health and Safety Code - HSC § 1276.8

(a) As used in this code, “respiratory care practitioner,” “respiratory therapist,” “respiratory therapy technician,” and “inhalation therapist” mean a respiratory care practitioner certified under the Respiratory Care Practice Act (Chapter 8.3 (commencing with Section 3700) of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code).

(b) The definition of respiratory care services, respiratory therapy, inhalation therapy, or the scope of practice of respiratory care, shall be as described in Section 3702 of the Business and Professions Code.

(c) Respiratory care may be performed in hospitals, ambulatory or in-home care, and other settings where respiratory care is performed under the supervision of a medical director in accordance with the prescription of a physician and surgeon. Respiratory care may also be provided during the transportation of a patient, and under any circumstances where an emergency necessitates respiratory care.

(d) In addition to other licensed health care practitioners authorized to administer respiratory care, a certified respiratory care practitioner may accept, transcribe, and implement the written and verbal orders of a physician and surgeon pertaining to the practice of respiratory care.