Site Maintained by Michele Crase           Phone 815.753.9251    Email mcrase@niu.edu

 Updated: 12-2007

Title Protection

What is Title Protection?

"Title protection defines titles to be used by the profession, establishes legal recognition for the profession by the state, and protects the designated titles by only allowing those who meet the criteria outlined in the bill and who register with the state to use them.  Title protection provides assurance to the public that individuals representing themselves as the designated professional have met legally defined minimum qualifications." (Gilma Roncancio-Weemer, Insights Legislative Article April 2005)

What is the difference between Licensure and Title Protection?

The main difference is that Title Protection does not mandate that employers hire these qualified individuals.  However, the respiratory care practitioners who passed a title protection bill in 1995, have discovered that many employers have voluntarily chosen to hire qualified individuals to minimize their liability associated with hiring unqualified individuals.

Why seek Title Protection now?

Strong opposition to the licensure bill by the influential Illinois Society of Pathologists and the Illinois State Medical Society makes passage of the licensure bill all but impossible.  The respiratory care practitioners had a similar experience in their efforts to pass a licensure bill and re-directed their efforts to successfully passing a title protection bill.  They are now in a hopeful position of passing a licensure bill due to more professional visibility and state recognition that title protection brought them.