Chapter 7.8 - Polysomnographic Technologists

California Business and Professions Code — §§ 3575-3579

Sections (9)

Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 113, Sec. 14. (SB 160) Effective September 17, 2025.

(a)For the purposes of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:

(1)“Board” means the Medical Board of California.

(2)“Polysomnography” means the treatment, management, diagnostic testing, control, education, and care of patients with sleep and wake disorders. Polysomnography shall include, but not be limited to, the process of analysis, monitoring, and recording of physiologic data during sleep and wakefulness to assist in the treatment of disorders, syndromes, and dysfunctions that are sleep-related, manifest during sleep, or disrupt normal sleep activities. Polysomnography shall also include, but not be limited to, the therapeutic and diagnostic use of oxygen, the use of positive

airway pressure including continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and bilevel modalities, adaptive servo-ventilation, and maintenance of nasal and oral airways that do not extend into the trachea.

(3)“Supervision” means that the supervising physician and surgeon shall remain available, either in person or through telephonic or electronic means, at the time that the polysomnographic services are provided.

(b)(1) Within one year after the effective date of this chapter, the board shall promulgate regulations relative to the qualifications for the registration of individuals as certified polysomnographic technologists, polysomnographic technicians, and polysomnographic trainees. The qualifications for a certified polysomnographic technologist shall include all of the following:

(A) The

applicant shall have valid, current credentials as a polysomnographic technologist issued by a national accrediting agency approved by the board.

(B) The applicant shall have graduated from a polysomnographic educational program that has been approved by the board.

(2)An applicant for

registration as a certified polysomnographic technologist may satisfy the qualifications described in paragraph (1) by submitting proof to the board that they have been practicing polysomnography for at least five years in a manner that is acceptable to the board. However, beginning three years after the effective date of this chapter, all individuals seeking to obtain certification as a polysomnographic technologist shall have passed a national certifying examination that has been approved by the board.

(c)(1) In accordance with Section 2042, any person seeking registration from the board as a certified polysomnographic technologist, a polysomnographic technician, or a polysomnographic trainee shall be subject to a state- and federal-level criminal offender record information search conducted through the Department of Justice as specified in paragraph (2).

(2)The board shall submit to the Department of Justice fingerprint images and related information required by the Department of Justice of all applicants for registration as a certified polysomnographic technologist, a polysomnographic technician, or a polysomnographic trainee, as defined by this section, to determine whether the applicant has a criminal conviction record in this state or in any other jurisdiction, including foreign countries, pursuant to Section 2042. The Department of Justice shall provide a state- and federal-level response pursuant to subdivision (p) of Section 11105 of the Penal Code for the board to determine whether the applicant is subject to denial of licensure under the provisions of Division 1.5 (commencing with Section 475).

(d)An individual may use the title “certified polysomnographic technologist” and may engage in the practice of polysomnography only under the following circumstances:

(1)The individual is registered with the board and has successfully undergone a state- and federal-level criminal offender record information search pursuant to subdivision (c).

(2)The individual works under the supervision and direction of a licensed physician and surgeon.

(3)The individual meets the requirements of this chapter.

(e)Within one year after the effective date of this chapter, the board shall adopt regulations that establish the means and circumstances in which a licensed physician and surgeon may employ polysomnographic technicians and polysomnographic trainees. The board may also adopt regulations specifying the scope of services that may be provided by a polysomnographic technician or polysomnographic trainee. Any regulation adopted pursuant to this section may specify the level of supervision that polysomnographic technicians and trainees are required to have when working under the supervision of a certified polysomnographic technologist or licensed health care professional.

(f)This section shall not apply to California licensed allied health professionals, including, but not limited to, respiratory care practitioners, working within the scope of practice of their license.

(g)Nothing in this chapter shall be interpreted to authorize a polysomnographic technologist, technician, or trainee to treat, manage, control, educate, or care for patients other than those with sleep disorders or to provide diagnostic testing for patients other than those with suspected sleep disorders.

§ 3575.5

Added by Stats. 2021, Ch. 649, Sec. 45. (SB 806) Effective January 1, 2022.

Each application for registration as a polysomnographic technologist, technician, or trainee shall be made upon an online electronic form, or other form, provided by the board, and each application form shall contain a legal verification by the applicant certifying under penalty of perjury that the information provided by the applicant is true and correct and that any information in supporting documents provided by the applicant is true and correct.

§ 3576

Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 303, Sec. 12. (AB 2745) Effective January 1, 2017.

(a)A registration under this chapter may be denied, suspended, revoked, placed on probation, or otherwise subjected to discipline for any of the following by the holder:

(1)Incompetence, gross negligence, or repeated similar negligent acts performed by the registrant.

(2)An act of dishonesty or fraud.

(3)Committing any act or being convicted of a crime constituting grounds for denial of licensure or registration under Section 480.

(4)Violating or attempting to violate this chapter or any regulation adopted under this

chapter.

(b)Proceedings under this section shall be conducted in accordance with Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, and the board shall have all powers granted therein.

§ 3576.1

Added by Stats. 2016, Ch. 303, Sec. 13. (AB 2745) Effective January 1, 2017.

(a)A person whose registration has been voluntarily surrendered while under investigation or while charges are pending or whose registration has been revoked or suspended or placed on probation, may petition the board for reinstatement or modification of penalty, including modification or termination of probation.

(b)The person may file the petition after a period of not less than the following minimum periods have elapsed from the effective date of the surrender of the registration or the decision ordering that disciplinary action:

(1)At least three years for reinstatement of a registration surrendered or revoked for unprofessional

conduct, except that the board may, for good cause shown, specify in a revocation order that a petition for reinstatement may be filed after two years.

(2)At least two years for early termination of probation of three years or more.

(3)At least one year for modification of a condition, or reinstatement of a registration surrendered or revoked for mental or physical illness, or termination of probation of less than three years.

(c)The petition shall state any facts as may be required by the board. The petition shall be accompanied by at least two verified recommendations from polysomnographic technologists registered in any state who have personal knowledge of the activities of the petitioner since the disciplinary penalty was imposed.

(d)The

petition may be heard by a panel of the board. The board may assign the petition to an administrative law judge designated in Section 11371 of the Government Code. After a hearing on the petition, the administrative law judge shall provide a proposed decision to the board, which shall be acted upon in accordance with Section 2335.

(e)The panel of the board or the administrative law judge hearing the petition may consider all activities of the petitioner since the disciplinary action was taken, the offense for which the petitioner was disciplined, the petitioner’s activities during the time the registration was in good standing, and the petitioner’s rehabilitative efforts, general reputation for truth, and professional ability. The hearing may be continued from time to time as the administrative law judge designated in Section 11371 of the Government Code finds necessary.

(f)The

administrative law judge designated in Section 11371 of the Government Code reinstating a registration or modifying a penalty may recommend the imposition of any terms and conditions deemed necessary.

(g)No petition shall be considered while the petitioner is under sentence for any criminal offense, including any period during which the petitioner is on court-imposed probation or parole. No petition shall be considered while there is an accusation or petition to revoke probation pending against the person. The board may deny without a hearing or argument any petition filed pursuant to this section within a period of two years from the effective date of the prior decision following a hearing under this section.

§ 3576.2

Added by Stats. 2016, Ch. 303, Sec. 14. (AB 2745) Effective January 1, 2017.

(a)Except as provided in subdivisions (b) and (c), the board shall revoke the registration of any person who has been required to register as a sex offender pursuant to Section 290 of the Penal for conduct that occurred on or after January 1, 2017.

(b)This section shall not apply to a person who is required to register as a sex offender pursuant to Section 290 of the Penal Code solely because of a misdemeanor conviction under Section 314 of the Penal Code.

(c)This section shall not apply to a person who has been relieved under Section 290.5 of the Penal Code of his or her duty to register as a sex offender, or whose duty to register has

otherwise been formally terminated under California law.

(d)A proceeding to revoke a registration pursuant to this section shall be conducted in accordance with Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.

§ 3576.3

Added by Stats. 2016, Ch. 303, Sec. 15. (AB 2745) Effective January 1, 2017.

(a)The board may suspend or revoke the registration of a polysomnographic technologist, polysomnographic technician, or polysomnographic trainee for unprofessional conduct as described in this section.

(b)The use of any controlled substance or the use of any of the dangerous drugs specified in Section 4022, or of alcoholic beverages, to the extent, or in such a manner as to be dangerous or injurious to the registrant, or to any other person or to the public, or to the extent that this use impairs the ability of the registrant to practice safely or more than one misdemeanor or any felony conviction involving the use, consumption, or self-administration of any of the substances referred to in this

section, or any combination thereof, constitutes unprofessional conduct. The record of the conviction is conclusive evidence of this unprofessional conduct.

(c)A plea or verdict of guilty or a conviction following a plea of nolo contendere is deemed to be a conviction within the meaning of this section. The board may order discipline of the registrant in accordance with Section 2227 or may order the denial of the registration when the time for appeal has elapsed or the judgment of conviction has been affirmed on appeal or when an order granting probation is made suspending imposition of sentence, irrespective of a subsequent order under the provisions of Section 1203.4 of the Penal Code allowing this person to withdraw his or her plea of guilty and to enter a plea of not guilty, or setting aside the verdict of guilty, or dismissing the accusation, complaint, information, or indictment.

§ 3577

Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 649, Sec. 46. (SB 806) Effective January 1, 2022.

(a)Each person who applies for registration under this chapter shall pay into the Contingent Fund of the Medical Board of California a fee to be fixed by the board at a sum of one hundred twenty dollars ($120).

(b)Each person to whom registration is granted under this chapter shall pay into the Contingent Fund of the Medical Board of California a fee to be fixed by the board at a sum of one hundred twenty dollars ($120).

(c)The registration shall expire after two years. The registration may be renewed biennially at a fee which shall be paid into the Contingent Fund of the Medical Board of California. For registrations that expire on or after January

1, 2022, the fee amount shall be two hundred twenty dollars ($220).

(d)The fee for monitoring a registrant on probation shall be the cost of monitoring, as fixed by the board.

(e)The money in the Contingent Fund of the Medical Board of California that is collected pursuant to this section shall be used for the administration of this chapter.

§ 3578

Added by Stats. 2009, Ch. 635, Sec. 1. (SB 132) Effective October 23, 2009.

Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit a clinic or health facility licensed pursuant to Division 2 (commencing with Section 1200) of the Health and Safety Code from employing a certified polysomnographic technologist.

§ 3579

Added by Stats. 2009, Ch. 635, Sec. 1. (SB 132) Effective October 23, 2009.

Nothing in this chapter shall apply to diagnostic electroencephalograms conducted in accordance with the guidelines of the American Clinical Neurophysiology Society.