DAR File No. 37705

Commerce, Occupational and Professional Licensing

Section R156-70a-304

Continuing Education

Notice of Proposed Rule

(Amendment)

DAR File No.: 37705
Filed: 06/06/2013 12:05:31 PM

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

The Division and the Physician Assistant Licensing Board are proposing this amendment to combine information and clarify the current continuing education requirement for licensed physician assistants.

Summary of the rule or change:

The proposed amendment deletes Subsection R156-70a-304(5) and moves the information in that subsection to Subsection R156-70a-304(1). The remaining subsections are renumbered.

State statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

• Section 58-70a-101
• Subsection 58-1-202(1)(a)
• Subsection 58-1-106(1)(a)

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

The Division will incur minimal costs of approximately $50 to print and distribute the rule once the proposed amendment is made effective. Any costs incurred will be absorbed in the Division's current budget.

local governments:

The proposed amendment only applies to licensed physician assistants in Utah. As a result, the proposed amendment does not apply to local governments.

small businesses:

The proposed amendment only applies to licensed physician assistants in Utah. As a result, the proposed amendment does not apply to small businesses.

persons other than small businesses, businesses, or local governmental entities:

The proposed amendment only applies to licensed physician assistants in Utah. As a result, the proposed amendment does not apply to other persons.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

The proposed amendment only applies to licensed physician assistants in Utah. Since the proposed amendment is only a wording change and no changes in requirements, there are no additional costs to licensed physician assistants beyond those presently required for obtaining of required continuing education hours.

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

As stated in the rule analysis, this filing makes a slight reorganization of existing language. No fiscal impact to businesses will result.

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:

• Noel Taxin at the above address, by phone at 801-530-6621, by FAX at 801-530-6511, or by Internet E-mail at ntaxin@utah.gov

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:

07/31/2013

This rule may become effective on:

08/07/2013

Authorized by:

Mark Steinagel, Director

R156. Commerce, Occupational and Professional Licensing.

R156-70a. Physician Assistant Practice Act Rule.

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. A licensee may submit documentation to the Division of current national certification by NCCPA; such certification shall be deemed to meet the requirements in this section.

(2) A minimum of 34 hours shall be in category 1 offerings as established by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME).

(3) Approved providers for ACCME offerings include the following:

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

(b) 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.

(4) A maximum of six hours may be recognized for non-ACCME offerings of continuing education provided by the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing.[

(5) Where a licensee submits documentation to the Division of current national certification by NCCPA, such certification shall be deemed to meet the requirements in Subsection (1).]

([6]5) Continuing education under this section shall:

(a) be relevant to the licensee's professional practice;

(b) be prepared and presented by individuals who are qualified by education, training and experience to provide medical continuing education; and

(c) have a method of verification of attendance and completion.

([7]6) Credit for continuing education shall be recognized in 50 minute hour blocks of time for education completed in formally established classroom courses, seminars, lectures, conferences or training sessions which meet the criteria listed in Subsection ([6]5) above).

([8]7) 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. If requested, the licensee shall provide documentation of completed continuing education.

([9]8) Continuing professional education for licensees who have not been licensed for the entire two year period will be prorated from the date of licensure.

 

KEY: licensing, physician assistants

Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: [September 13, 2010]2013

Notice of Continuation: December 19, 2011

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