No. 28924 (Amendment): R156-70a.Physician Assistant Practice Act Rules

 

DAR File No.: 28924
Filed: 08/14/2006, 05:53
Received by: NL

 

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

The Division and the Physician Assistant Licensing Board are proposing amendments to the rule to add additional continuing education programs that would meet criteria for obtaining 40 hours of required continuing education during every 2-year licensure cycle.

 

Summary of the rule or change:

In Sections R156-70a-103 and R156-70a-104, statutory and rule citations are corrected. In Section R156-70a-304, amendments are added that continuing professional education hours can now be obtained through approved programs sponsored by the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) and programs approved by other health-related continuing education approval organizations, provided the continuing education is nationally recognized by a healthcare accredited agency and the education is related to the practice as a physician assistant. These additional programs are in addition to Category 1 offerings as established by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) which is already in the rule.

 

State statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

Section 58-70a-101 and Subsections 58-1-106(1)(a) and 58-1-202(1)(a)

 

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

The Division will incur minimal costs of approximately $75 to reprint the rule once the proposed amendments are made effective. Any costs incurred will be absorbed in the Division's current budget.

 

local governments:

Proposed amendments do not apply to local governments; therefore, no costs or savings are anticipated. Proposed amendments only apply to licensed physician assistants.

 

other persons:

Proposed amendments only apply to licensed physician assistants of which there are currently 545. The Division anticipates there will be some savings to licensed physician assistants as a result of the proposed amendments since licensees will have greater access to continuing education programs in-state; they may attend AAPA meetings or other healthcare related meetings for continuing education credits rather than just category 1 medical education courses which tend to be more expensive. The Division is unable to determine how much savings each licensed physician assistant might realize due to the varying types of courses and costs.

 

Compliance costs for affected persons:

Proposed amendments only apply to licensed physician assistants. The Division anticipates there will be some savings to licensed physician assistants as a result of the proposed amendments since licensees will have greater access to continuing education programs in-state; they may attend AAPA meetings or other healthcare related meetings for continuing education credits rather than just Category 1 medical education courses which tend to be more expensive. The Division is unable to determine how much savings each licensed physician assistant might realize due to the varying types of courses and costs.

 

Comments by the department head on the fiscal impact the rule may have on businesses:

The regulated industry could experience a cost-savings as a result of additional options for continuing education. No other fiscal impact to businesses is anticipated as a result of these amendments. Francine A. Giani, Executive Director

 

The full text of this rule may be inspected, during regular business hours, at the Division of Administrative Rules, or at:

Commerce
Occupational and Professional Licensing
HEBER M WELLS BLDG
160 E 300 S
SALT LAKE CITY UT 84111-2316

 

Direct questions regarding this rule to:

Diana Baker at the above address, by phone at 801-530-6179, by FAX at 801-530-6511, or by Internet E-mail at [e-mail]

 

Interested persons may present their views on this rule by submitting written comments to the address above no later than 5:00 p.m. on:

10/02/2006

 

This rule may become effective on:

10/10/2006

 

Authorized by:

J. Craig Jackson, Director

 

 

RULE TEXT

R156. Commerce, Occupational and Professional Licensing.

R156-70a. Physician Assistant Practice Act Rules.

R156-70a-103. Authority - Purpose.

These rules are adopted by the division under the authority of Subsection 58-1-106(1)(a) to enable the division to administer Title 58, Chapter 70a.

 

R156-70a-104. Organization - Relationship to Rule R156-1.

The organization of this rule and its relationship to Rule R156-1 is as described in Section R156-1-107.

 

R156-70a-304. Continuing Education.

In accordance with Subsection 58-70a-304(1)(a), the requirements for qualified continuing professional education (CPE) are as follows:

(1) CPE shall consist of 40 hours in each preceding two year licensure cycle in:

(a) category 1 offerings as established by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME);[ in each preceding two year licensure cycle.]

(b) approved programs sponsored by the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA); or

(c) programs approved by other health-related continuing education approval organizations, provided the continuing education is nationally recognized by a healthcare accredited agency and the education is related to the practice as a physician assistant.

(2) [Offerings or courses must be approved by institutions accredited by the ACCME to approve continuing medical education.

(3) ]If requested, the licensee shall provide documentation of completed qualified continuing professional education by any of the following means:

(a) certificates from sponsoring agencies;

(b) transcripts of participation on applicable institutions letterhead; or

(c) copy of current national certification by NCCPA.

([4]3) Continuing professional education for licensees who have not been licensed for the entire two year period will be prorated from the date of licensure.

([5]4) A licensee shall be responsible for maintaining competent records of completed continuing professional education for a period of four years after close of the two year period to which the records pertain. It is the responsibility of the licensee to maintain such information with respect to continuing professional education and to demonstrate it meets the requirements under this section.

 

KEY: licensing, physician assistants

Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: [November 15, 2001]2006

Notice of Continuation: May 2, 2002

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 58-70a-101; 58-1-106(1)(a); 58-1-202(1)(a)