SUBCHAPTER 32S - PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS
section .0100 - repealed
21 NCAC 32S .0101 DEFINITIONS
21 NCAC 32S .0102 QUALIFICATIONS FOR LICENSE
History Note: Authority G.S. 90-11; 90-18(c)(13);
90-18.1;
Eff. May 1, 1999;
Amended Eff. June 1, 2006;
Repealed Eff. September 1, 2009.
21 NCAC 32S .0103 TEMPORARY
LICENSE
History Note: Authority G.S. 90-18(13); 90-18.1;
Eff. May 1, 1999;
Repealed Eff. April 1, 2006.
21 NCAC 32S .0104 INACTIVE LICENSE STATUS
21 NCAC 32S .0105 ANNUAL REGISTRATION
21 NCAC 32S .0106 CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION
21 NCAC 32S .0107 EXEMPTION FROM LICENSE
21 NCAC 32S .0108 SCOPE OF PRACTICE
21 NCAC 32S .0109 PRESCRIPTIVE AUTHORITY
21 NCAC 32S .0110 SUPERVISION OF PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS
21 NCAC 32S .0111 SUPERVISING PHYSICIANS
21 NCAC 32S .0112 NOTIFICATION OF INTENT TO PRACTICE
21 NCAC 32S .0113 VIOLATIONS
History Note: Authority G.S. 90-13(c)(13); 90-14;
90-14(a)(11); 90-14.2; 90-15; 90-18(c)(13); 90-18.1; 90-171.23(14); 58 Fed.
Reg. 31,171(1993) (to be codified at 21 C.F.R. 301);
Eff. May 1, 1999;
Amended Eff. July 1, 2006; June 1, 2006; April 1, 2006;
April 1, 2005; May 1, 2004; April 1, 2004;
Repealed Eff. September 1, 2009.
21 NCAC 32S .0114 RESERVED FOR FUTURE CODIFICATION
21 NCAC 32S .0115 TITLE AND PRACTICE PROTECTION
21 NCAC 32S .0116 IDENTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
21 NCAC 32S .0117 FEES
21 NCAC 32S .0118 PRACTICE DURING A DISASTER
History Note: Authority G.S. 90-12.1; 90-12.2; 90-15;
90-18(c)(13); 90-18.1; 166A-6;
Eff. May 1, 1999;
Amended Eff. April 1, 2006; April 1, 2005;
Repealed Eff. September 1, 2009.
section .0200 – physician assistant registration
21 NCAC 32S .0201 DEFINITIONS
The following definitions apply to this Subchapter:
(1) "Board" means the North Carolina Medical
Board.
(2) "Examination" means the Physician
Assistant National Certifying Examination.
(3) "Family member" means a spouse, parent,
grandparent, child, grandchild, sibling, aunt, uncle or first cousin, or
persons to the same degree by marriage.
(4) "Physician Assistant" means a person
licensed by the Board under the provisions of G.S. 90-9.3.
(5) "Physician Assistant License" means
approval for the physician assistant to perform medical acts, tasks, or
functions under North Carolina law.
(6) "Physician Assistant Educational Program"
is the educational program set out in G.S. 90-9.3(a)(1).
(7) "License Renewal" means paying the annual
fee and providing the information requested by the Board as outlined in this
Subchapter.
(8) "Supervise" or "Supervision"
means the physician's function of overseeing the medical acts performed by a
physician assistant.
(9) "Supervisory Arrangement" is the written
statement that describes the medical acts, tasks, and functions delegated to
the physician assistant by the primary supervising physician appropriate to the
physician assistant's education, qualification, training, skills, and
competence.
(10) "Supervising Physician" means the licensed
physician who shall provide on-going supervision, consultation, and evaluation
of the medical acts performed by the physician assistant as defined in the in
the Supervisory Arrangement. The physician may serve as a primary supervising
physician or as a back-up supervising physician.
(a) "Primary Supervising Physician" is
the physician who is accountable to the Board for the physician assistant's
medical activities and professional conduct at all times, whether the physician
personally is providing supervision or the supervision is being provided by a
Back-up Supervising Physician. The Primary Supervising Physician shall assure
the Board that the physician assistant is qualified by education, training, and
competence to perform all medical acts required of the physician assistant in
the particular field or fields that the physician assistant is expected to
perform medical acts. The Primary Supervising Physician shall also be
accountable to the Board for his or her physician assistant’s compliance with
the rules of this Subchapter.
(b) "Back-up Supervising Physician"
means the physician who is accountable to the Board for supervision of the
physician assistant's activities in the absence of the Primary Supervising
Physician and while actively supervising the physician assistant.
(11) "Volunteer practice" means performance of
medical acts, tasks, or functions without expectation of any form of payment or
compensation.
History Note: Authority G.S. 90-9.3; 90-18(c)(13);
90-18.1;
Eff. September 1, 2009;
Amended Eff. May 1, 2015.
21 NCAC 32S .0202 QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS FOR
LICENSE
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this Subchapter, an
individual shall obtain a license from the Board before practicing as a
physician assistant. An applicant for a physician assistant license shall:
(1) submit a completed application, available
at www.ncmedboard.org, to the Board;
(2) meet the requirements set forth in G.S.
90-9.3 and has not committed any of the acts listed in G.S. 90-14;
(3) supply a certified copy of applicant's
birth certificate if the applicant was born in the United States or a certified
copy of a valid and unexpired U.S. passport. If the applicant does not possess
proof of U.S. citizenship, the applicant shall provide information about the
applicant's immigration and work status that the Board shall use to verify
applicant's ability to work lawfully in the United States;
(4) submit to the Board proof that the
applicant completed a Physician Assistant Educational Program. He or she shall
also show successful completion of the Physician Assistant National Certifying
Examination;
(5) pay to the Board a non-refundable fee of
two hundred dollars ($200.00) plus the cost of a criminal background check. There
is no fee to apply for a physician assistant limited volunteer license;
(6) submit National Practitioner Data Bank
(NPDB) and Healthcare Integrity and Protection Data Bank (HIPDB) reports. These
reports shall be requested by the applicant and submitted to the Board within
60 days of the request;
(7) submit a Board Action Data Bank Inquiry
from the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB). This report shall be
requested by the applicant and submitted to the Board within 60 days of the
request;
(8) submit to the Board two complete original
fingerprint record cards, on fingerprint record cards supplied by the Board
upon request;
(9) submit to the Board a signed consent form
allowing a search of local, state, and national files to disclose any criminal
record;
(10) disclose whether he or she has ever been
suspended from, placed on academic probation, expelled, or required to resign
from any school, including a PA educational program;
(11) attest that he or she has no license,
certificate, or registration as a physician assistant currently under
discipline, revocation, suspension, or probation or any other adverse action
resulting from a health care licensing board;
(12) certify that he or she is mentally and
physically able to safely practice as a physician assistant and is of good
moral character;
(13) provide the Board with three original
recommendation forms dated within six months of the application. These
recommendations shall come from persons under whom the applicant has worked or
trained who are familiar with the applicant's academic competence, clinical
skills, and character. At least one reference form shall be from a physician
and two reference forms must be from peers under whom the applicant has worked
or trained. References shall not be from any family member or in the case of
applicants who have not been licensed anywhere, references shall not be from
fellow students of the applicant's Educational Program;
(14) if two years or more have passed since
graduation from a Physician Assistant Educational Program, document that he or
she has completed at least 100 hours of continuing medical education (CME)
during the preceding two years, at least 50 hours of which must be recognized
by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants as Category
I CME; and
(15) supply any other information the Board deems
necessary to evaluate the applicant's qualifications, including explanation or
documentation of the information required in this Rule.
(b) An applicant may be required to appear in person for an
interview with the Board, if the Board determines in its discretion that more
information is needed to evaluate the application.
History Note: Authority G.S. 90-9.3; 90-11;
90-18(c)(13); 90-18.1;
Eff. September 1, 2009;
Amended Eff. May 1, 2015; March 1, 2011.
21 NCAC 32S .0203 MANDATORY NOTIFICATION OF INTENT TO
PRACTICE
(a) Prior to the performance of any medical acts, tasks, or
functions under the supervision of a primary supervising physician, a physician
assistant shall submit notification of such intent using the Board's Intent to
Practice form located on the Board's website. The notification of intent to
practice shall include:
(1) the name, practice addresses, and telephone
number of the physician assistant; and
(2) the name, practice addresses, and telephone
number of the primary supervising physician(s).
(b) The physician assistant shall not commence practice
until he/she receives acknowledgment from the Board that the Board has received
and processed the Intent to Practice Form. By checking the Board's website,
the physician assistant can confirm that the primary supervising physician has
been added to the physician assistant's personal information page on the Board's
website.
(c) The physician assistant shall notify the Board of any
changes to the information required in Paragraph (a) of this Rule within 15
days of the occurrence.
History Note: Authority G.S. 90-9.3; 90-14(a)(11);
90-18(c)(13); 90-18.1;
Eff. September 1, 2009.
21 NCAC 32S .0204 ANNUAL RENEWAL
(a) A physician assistant shall renew his/her license each
year no later than 30 days after his/her birthday by:
(1) completing the Board's renewal form; and
(2) submitting a nonrefundable fee of one
hundred twenty dollars ($120.00), except that a physician assistant who renews
not later than 30 days after his/her birthday shall pay an annual renewal fee
of one hundred dollars ($100.00);
(b) If a physician assistant fails to renew his/her
license, the Board shall send a certified notice, return receipt requested. If the
physician assistant does not renew his/her license within 30 days of the date
of the mailing of that notice, his/her license automatically becomes inactive.
History Note: Authority G.S. 90-9.3(c);
Eff. September 1, 2009.
21 NCAC 32S .0205 INACTIVE LICENSE STATUS
By notifying the board in writing, a physician assistant may
elect to place his/her license on inactive status. A physician assistant with
an inactive license shall not practice as a physician assistant. A physician
assistant who engages in practice while his/her license is inactive is
practicing without a license and is subject to discipline by the Board as well
as criminal penalties.
History Note: Authority G.S. 90-9.3; 90-18(c)(13);
90-18.1;
Eff. September 1, 2009.
21 NCAC 32S .0206 LICENSE REACTIVATION
(a) A physician assistant may apply to reactivate his/her
license if:
(1) he/she had a license in North Carolina;
(2) the license was placed on inactive status
within the past calendar year; and
(3) the licensee did not become inactive as a
result of disciplinary action or to avoid disciplinary action.
(b) A physician assistant requesting reactivation shall:
(1) complete the board's reactivation
application;
(2) pay to the board a nonrefundable fee of one
hundred twenty dollars ($120), plus the cost of a criminal background check;
(3) submit to the board two completed original
fingerprint record cards, on fingerprint record cards provided by the Board;
(4) submit to the board a completed signed and
dated original Authority for Release of Information Form allowing a search of
local, state, and national files to disclose any criminal record;
(5) submit National Practitioner Data Bank
(NPDB) and Healthcare Integrity and Protection Data Bank (HIPDB) reports, dated
within 60 days of their submission to the board;
(6) submit a board action data bank inquiry
from the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB), dated within 60 days of its
submission to the board;
(7) provide documentation to the board
verifying completion of 100 hours of continuing medical education during the
preceding two years; and
(8) supply any other information the board
deems necessary to evaluate the applicant's qualifications.
(c) An applicant may be required to appear in person for an
interview.
History Note: Authority G.S. 90-9.3; 90-18(c)(13);
90-18.1;
Eff. September 1, 2009.
21 NCAC 32S .0207 LICENSE REINSTATEMENT
(a) A physician assistant may apply to reinstate his/her
license if the license has been inactive for more than one calendar year, or if
the inactive status resulted from disciplinary action or was taken to avoid disciplinary
action.
(b) A physician assistant requesting reinstatement shall
satisfy all the requirements set forth in 21 NCAC 32S .0202.
(c) An applicant may be required to appear in person for an
interview with the Board.
History Note: Authority G.S. 90-9.3; 90-13(c)(13);
90-18.8;
Eff. September 1, 2009.
21 NCAC 32S .0208 LIMITED VOLUNTEER LICENSE
History Note: Authority G.S. 90-9.3; 90-18(c)(13);
90-18.1;
Eff. September 1, 2009;
Repealed Eff. December 1, 2012.
21 NCAC 32S .0209 EXEMPTION FROM LICENSE
Nothing in this Subchapter shall be construed to require
licensure for:
(1) a student enrolled in a Physician Assistant
Educational Program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied
Health Education Programs or its successor organizations;
(2) a physician assistant employed by the federal
government while performing duties incident to that employment; or
(3) an agent or employee of a physician who performs
delegated tasks in the office of a physician but who is not rendering services
as a physician assistant and identifying him/herself as a physician assistant.
History Note: Authority G.S. 90-9.3; 90-18(c)(13);
90-18.1;
Eff. September 1, 2009;
Amended Eff. November 1, 2013.
21 NCAC 32S .0210 IDENTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
A physician assistant shall keep proof of current licensure
and renewal available for inspection at the primary place of practice and
shall, when engaged in professional activities, wear a name tag consistent with
G.S. 90-640.
History Note: Authority G.S.90-9.3; 90-18(c)(13);
90-640;
Eff. September 1, 2009.
21 NCAC 32S .0211 AGENCY
History Note: Authority G.S. 90-9.3; 90-18(c)(13);
90-18.1;
Eff. September 1, 2009;
Repealed Eff. May 1, 2015.
21 NCAC 32S .0212 PRESCRIPTIVE AUTHORITY
A physician assistant may prescribe, order, procure,
dispense, and administer drugs and medical devices subject to the following
conditions:
(1) The physician assistant complies with all state and
federal laws regarding prescribing, including G.S. 90-18.1(b);
(2) Each supervising physician and physician assistant
incorporates within his or her written supervisory arrangements, as defined in
Rule .0201(9) of this Subchapter, instructions for prescribing, ordering, and
administering drugs and medical devices and a policy for periodic review by the
physician of these instructions and policy;
(3) In order to compound and dispense drugs, the
physician assistant complies with G.S. 90-18.1(c);
(4) In order to prescribe controlled substances,
(a) the physician assistant must have a valid
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registration and prescribe in accordance
with DEA rules;
(b) all prescriptions for substances falling
within schedules II, IIN, III, and IIIN, as defined in the federal Controlled
Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. 812, which is hereby incorporated by reference,
including all subsequent amendments or editions, shall not exceed a legitimate
30 day supply. 21 U.S.C. 812 may be accessed at http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/21cfr/21usc/812.htm
free of charge; and
(c) the supervising physician shall possess at
least the same schedule(s) of controlled substances as the physician
assistant's DEA registration;
(5) Each prescription issued by the physician assistant
contains, in addition to other information required by law, the following:
(a) the physician assistant's name, practice
address, and telephone number;
(b) the physician assistant's license number
and, if applicable, the physician assistant's DEA number for controlled
substances prescriptions; and
(c) the authorizing supervising physician's,
either primary or back-up, name and telephone number;
(6) The physician assistant documents prescriptions in
writing on the patient's record, including the medication name and dosage,
amount prescribed, directions for use, and number of refills;
(7) A physician assistant who requests, receives, and
dispenses medication samples to patients complies with all applicable state and
federal regulations; and
(8) A physician assistant shall not prescribe
controlled substances, as defined by the state and federal controlled
substances acts, for:
(a) the physician assistant's own use;
(b) the use of the physician assistant's
supervising physician;
(c) the use of the physician assistant's
immediate family;
(d) the use of any person living in the same
residence as the physician assistant; or
(e) the use of any anyone with whom the
physician assistant is having a sexual relationship.
As used in this Item,
"immediate family" means a spouse, parent, child, sibling,
parent-in-law, son-in-law or daughter-in-law, brother-in-law or sister-in-law,
step-parent, step-child, or step-sibling.
History Note: Authority G.S. 90-18(c)(13); 90-18.1;
90-18.2A;
Eff. September 1, 2009;
Amended Eff. May 1, 2015; August 1, 2012.
21 NCAC 32S .0213 PHYSICIAN SUPERVISION OF PHYSICIAN
ASSISTANTS
(a) A physician wishing to serve as a primary supervising
physician shall exercise supervision of the physician assistant in accordance
with rules adopted by the Board.
(b) A physician assistant may perform medical acts, tasks,
or functions only under the supervision of a physician. Supervision shall be
continuous but, except as otherwise provided in the rules of this Subchapter,
shall not be construed as requiring the physical presence of the supervising
physician at the time and place that the services are rendered.
(c) Each team of physician(s) and physician assistant(s)
shall ensure:
(1) the physician assistant's scope of practice
is identified;
(2) delegation of medical tasks is appropriate
to the skills of the supervising physician(s) as well as the physician
assistant's level of competence;
(3) the relationship of, and access to, each
supervising physician is defined; and
(4) a process for evaluation of the physician
assistant's performance is established.
(d) Each supervising physician and physician assistant
shall sign a statement, as defined in Rule .0201(9) of this Subchapter, that
describes the supervisory arrangements in all settings. The physician
assistant shall maintain written prescribing instructions at each site. This
statement shall be kept on file at all practice sites, and shall be available
upon request by the Board.
(e) A primary supervising physician and a physician
assistant in a new practice arrangement shall meet monthly for the first six
months to discuss practice relevant clinical issues and quality improvement
measures. Thereafter, the primary supervising physician and the physician
assistant shall meet at least once every six months. A written record of these
meetings shall be signed and dated by both the supervising physician and the
physician assistant, and shall be available upon request by the Board. The
written record shall include a description of the relevant clinical issues
discussed and the quality improvement measures taken.
History Note: Authority G.S. 90-9.3; 90-18(c)(13);
90-18.1;
Eff. September 1, 2009;
Amended Eff. May 1, 2015.
21 NCAC 32S .0214 SUPERVISING PHYSICIAN
History note: Authority G.S. 90-9.3; 90-18(c)(13);
90-18.1;
Eff. September 1, 2009;
Repealed Eff. May 1, 2015.
21 NCAC 32S .0215 RESPONSIBILITIES OF PRIMARY
SUPERVISING PHYSICIANS IN REGARD TO BACK-UP SUPERVISING PHYSICIANS
(a) The primary supervising physician shall ensure that a
supervising physician, either primary or back-up, is accessible for the
physician assistant to consult whenever the physician assistant is performing
medical acts, tasks, or functions.
(b) A back-up supervising physician shall be licensed to
practice medicine by the Board, not prohibited by the Board from supervising a
physician assistant, and approved by the primary supervising physician as a
person willing and qualified to oversee the medical acts performed by the
physician assistant in the absence of the primary supervising physician. A
current list of all approved back-up supervising physicians, signed and dated
by each back-up supervising physician, the primary supervising physician, and
the physician assistant, shall be retained as part of the Supervisory Arrangement.
History Note: Authority G.S. 90-18(c)(13); 90-18.1;
Eff. September 1, 2009;
Amended Eff. May 1, 2015.
21 NCAC 32S .0216 CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION
(a) A physician assistant shall complete at least 100 hours
of continuing medical education (CME) every two years, at least 50 hours of which
must be recognized by the National Commission on Certification of Physician
Assistants (NCCPA) as Category I CME. A physician assistant shall provide CME
documentation for inspection by the board or its agent upon request. The two
year period shall run from the physician assistant's birthday, beginning in the
year 1999, or the first birthday following initial licensure, whichever occurs
later.
(b) A physician assistant who possesses a current
certification with the NCCPA shall be deemed in compliance with the requirement
of Paragraph (a) of this Rule. The physician assistant must attest on his or
her annual renewal that he or she is currently certified by the NCCPA.
History Note: Authority G.S. 90-5.1(a)(3);
90-5.1(a)(10); 90-9.3; 90-18(c)(13); 90-18.1;
Eff. September 1, 2009;
Amended Eff. May 1, 2015; November 1, 2010.
21 NCAC 32S .0217 VIOLATIONS
It is unprofessional conduct for a physician assistant to
violate the rules of this Subchapter, or to represent himself or herself as a
physician. The Board may take disciplinary action against a supervising
physician or a physician assistant pursuant to G.S. 90-14(a)(6) and (7) for
violations of the rules of this Subchapter.
History Note: Authority G.S. 90-9.3; 90-14; 90-14.2;
Eff. September 1, 2009;
Amended Eff. May 1, 2015.
21 NCAC 32S .0218 TITLE AND PRACTICE PROTECTION
(a) Any person not licensed by the Board violates G.S.
90-18.1 if he or she:
(1) falsely identifies him/herself as a
physician assistant;
(2) uses any combination or abbreviation of the
term "physician assistant" to indicate or imply that he or she is a
physician assistant; or
(3) acts as a physician assistant without being
licensed by the Board.
(b) An unlicensed physician may not use the title of
"physician assistant" or practice as a physician assistant unless
he/she fulfills the requirements of this Subchapter.
History Note: Authority G.S. 90-9.3; 90-18(c)(13);
90-18.1;
Eff. September 1, 2009.
21 NCAC 32S .0219 limited physician assistant license
for DISASTERs and emergencies
(a) The Board shall, pursuant to G.S. 90-12.5, issue a
limited physician assistant license under the following conditions:
(1) the Governor of the State of North Carolina
has declared a disaster or state of emergency, or in the event of an occurrence
for which a county or municipality has enacted an ordinance to deal with states
of emergency under G.S. 14-288.12, 14-288.13, or 14-288.14, or to protect the
public health, safety or welfare of its citizens under Article 22 of Chapter
130A of the General Statutes, G.S. 160A-174(a) or G.S. 153A-121(a);
(2) the applicant provides government-issued
photo identification;
(3) the applicant provides proof of licensure,
certification or authorization to practice as a physician assistant in another
state, the District of Columbia, US Territory or Canadian province;
(4) applicant affirms under oath that such
license is in good standing; and
(5) no grounds exist pursuant to G.S. 90-14(a) for
the Board to deny a license.
(b) In response to the specific circumstances presented by
a declared disaster or state of emergency and in order to best serve the public
interest, the Board may limit the physician assistant's scope of practice
including, but not limited to, the following: geography; term; type of
practice; prescribing, administering and dispensing therapeutic measures,
tests, procedures and drugs; supervision; and practice setting.
(c) The physician assistant must practice under the direct
supervision of an on-site physician. The supervising physician must be
licensed in this State or approved to practice in this State during a disaster
or state of emergency pursuant to G.S. 90-12.5 and 21 NCAC 32B .1705. The
physician assistant may perform only those medical acts, tasks, and functions
delegated by the supervising physician and not limited by the physician
assistant's scope of practice as set out in Paragraph (b) of this Rule.
(d) A team of physician(s) and physician assistant(s) practicing
pursuant to this Rule is not required to maintain on-site documentation
describing supervisory arrangements and instructions for prescriptive authority
as otherwise required by 21 NCAC 32S .0213.
(e) A physician assistant holding a Limited Physician
Assistant License for Disasters and Emergencies shall not receive any other or
additional compensation outside his or her usual compensation, either direct or
indirect, monetary, in-kind, or otherwise for the provision of medical services
during a disaster or emergency.
History Note: Authority G.S. 90-9.3; 90-12.5;
90-18(c)(13); 166A-6;
Eff. September 1, 2009;
Amended Eff. November 1, 2010.
21 NCAC 32S .0220 EXPEDITED APPLICATION FOR PHYSICIAN
ASSISTANT LICENSURE
(a) An physician assistant who has been licensed,
certified, or authorized to practice in at least one other state, the District
of Columbia, U.S. Territory or Canadian province for at least five years, has
been in active clinical practice during the past two years and who has a clean
license application, as defined in Paragraph (c) of this Rule, may apply for a
license on an expedited basis.
(b) In order to apply for an expedited Physician Assistant
License, an applicant shall:
(1) submit a completed application, using the
Board's form, attesting under oath that the information on the application is
true and complete, and authorizing the release to the Board of all information
pertaining to the application;
(2) submit documentation of a legal name change,
if applicable;
(3) on the Board's form, submit a recent
photograph, at least two inches by two inches, certified as a true likeness of
the applicant by a notary public;
(4) supply a certified copy of applicant’s
birth certificate if applicant was born in the United States or a certified
copy of a valid and unexpired US passport. If the applicant does not possess
proof of U.S. citizenship, the applicant must provide information about applicant's
immigration and work status, which the Board will use to verify applicant's
ability to work lawfully in the United States;
(5) provide proof that applicant had held an
active license, certification or authorization as a physician assistant in at
least one other state or jurisdiction for the last five years immediately
preceding this application;
(6) submit proof of successful completion of
the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination;
(7) submit proof of current certification by
the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants;
(8) provide proof of an active clinical
practice, providing patient care for an average of 20 hours or more per week,
for at least the last two years;
(9) submit a NPDB/HIPDB report dated within 60
days of applicant's oath;
(10) submit a FSMB Board Action Data Bank report;
(11) submit two completed fingerprint cards
supplied by the Board;
(12) submit a signed consent form allowing a
search of local, state, and national files to disclose any criminal record;
(13) pay to the Board a non-refundable fee of two
hundred dollars ($200.00), as required by 21 NCAC 32S .0202, plus the cost of a
criminal background check;
(14) upon request, supply any additional
information the Board deems necessary to evaluate the applicant's
qualifications.
(c) A clean license application means that the physician
assistant has none of the following:
(1) professional liability insurance claim(s)
or payment(s);
(2) criminal record;
(3) medical condition(s) which could affect the
physician assistant’s ability to practice safely;
(4) regulatory board complaint(s),
investigation(s), or action(s) (including applicant's withdrawal of a license
application);
(5) adverse action taken by a health care
institution;
(6) investigation(s) or action(s) taken by a
federal agency, the US military, medical societies or associations; or
(7) suspension or expulsion from any school,
including an educational program for physician assistants.
(d) All reports must be submitted directly to the Board
from the primary source, when possible.
(e) An application must be completed within one year of the
date on which the application fee is paid. If not, the applicant shall be
charged a new application fee.
History Note: Authority G.S. 90-9.3; 90-13.1;
Eff. November 1, 2010.
21 NCAC 32S .0221 LIMITED VOLUNTEER LICENSE
(a) A physician assistant who holds a regular license in
North Carolina may convert that license to a Limited Volunteer License by
notifying the Board in writing.
(b) The Board may issue a Limited Volunteer License to a
physician assistant who holds an active license or registration in another
state. In order to obtain a Limited Volunteer License, an applicant shall;
(1) submit a completed application, attesting
under oath that the information on the application is true and complete, and
authorizing the release to the Board of all information pertaining to the
application;
(2) submit a recent photograph, at least two
inches by two inches, affixed to the oath, and attested by a notary public;
(3) submit documentation of a legal name
change, if applicable;
(4) supply a certified copy of applicant's
birth certificate if the applicant was born in the United States or a certified
copy of a valid and unexpired U.S. passport. If the applicant does not possess
proof of U.S. citizenship, the applicant must provide information about
applicant's immigration and work status which the Board will use to verify
applicant's ability to work lawfully in the United States;
(5) submit proof of active licensure from
another state or jurisdiction indicating the status of the license and whether
or not any action has been taken against it;
(6) submit two completed fingerprint record
cards supplied by the Board;
(7) submit a signed consent form allowing a
search of local, state and national files for any criminal record;
(8) pay a non-refundable fee to cover the cost
of a criminal background check;
(9) submit a FSMB Board Action Data Bank
report;
(10) submit a NPDB/HIPDB report, dated within 60
days of submission of the application;
(11) submit documentation of CME obtained in the
last three years;
(12) upon request, supply any additional
information the Board deems necessary to evaluate the applicant’s competence
and character.
(c) All materials must be submitted to the Board from the
primary source, when possible.
(d) An applicant may be required to appear in person for an
interview with the Board or its agent to evaluate the applicant's competence
and character.
(e) An application must be completed within one year of the
date of submission.
History Note: Authority G.S. 90-9.3; 90-18(c)(13);
90-18.1;
Eff. December 1, 2012.
21 NCAC 32S .0222 RETIRED LIMITED VOLUNTEER LICENSE
(a) The Retired Limited Volunteer License is available to a
physician assistant who has been licensed in North Carolina or another state or
jurisdiction, has an inactive license, and wishes to volunteer at civilian
indigent clinics.
(b) A physician assistant with an inactive North Carolina
license who wishes to return to practice on a volunteer basis must first
reactivate or reinstate his or her license, whichever applies, by complying
with 21 NCAC 32S .0206 or 21 NCAC 32S .0207. Once reactivated or reinstated, a
physician assistant may convert that license to a limited volunteer license
without paying an additional fee. A physician assistant who has been inactive
for more than two years will be required to complete a reentry program.
(c) In order to obtain a Retired Limited Volunteer License
an applicant who has not held a North Carolina license shall:
(1) submit a completed application, attesting
under oath that the information on the application is true and complete, and
authorizing the release to the Board of all information pertaining to the
application;
(2) submit a recent photograph, at least two
inches by two inches, affixed to the oath, and attested by a notary public;
(3) submit documentation of a legal name
change, if applicable;
(4) supply a certified copy of applicant's
birth certificate if the applicant was born in the United States or a certified
copy of a valid and unexpired U.S. passport. If the applicant does not possess
proof of U.S. citizenship, the applicant must provide information about
applicant's immigration and work status which the Board will use to verify
applicant's ability to work lawfully in the United States;
(5) submit proof of licensure from another
state or jurisdiction indicating the status of the license and whether or not
any action has been taken against it;
(6) submit two completed fingerprint record
cards supplied by the Board;
(7) submit a signed consent form allowing a
search of local, state and national files for any criminal record;
(8) pay a non-refundable fee to cover the cost
of a criminal background check;
(9) submit a FSMB Board Action Data Bank
report;
(10) submit a NPDB/HIPDB report, dated within 60
days of submission of the application;
(11) submit documentation of CME obtained in the
last three years; and
(12) upon request, supply any additional
information the Board deems necessary to evaluate the applicant's competence
and character
(c) All materials must be submitted to the Board from the
primary source, when possible.
(d) An applicant may be required to appear in person for an
interview with the Board or its agent to evaluate the applicant's competence
and character.
(e) An application must be completed within one year of the
date of submission.
History Note: Authority G.S. 90-8.1; 90-12.1B;
Eff. December 1, 2012.
21 NCAC 32S .0223 SCOPE OF PRACTICE
The holder of a Limited Volunteer License or a Retired
Limited Volunteer License may perform medical acts, tasks, or functions as a
physician assistant under the supervision of a physician only at clinics that
specialize in the treatment of indigent patients, and may not receive any compensation
for services rendered, either direct or indirect, monetary, in-kind, or
otherwise for the provision of medical services.
History Note: Authority G.S. 90-8.1; 90-12.4B;
Eff. December 1, 2012.
21 NCAC 32S .0224 SCOPE OF RULES
The rules in this Subchapter are intended for the purpose of
fulfilling the Board's statutory directive with regard to the regulation, supervision,
and disciplining of physician assistants and their supervising physicians, and
for no other purpose.
History Note: Authority G.S. 90-5.1(a)(2);
90-5.1(a)(3); 90-18.1;
Eff. May 1, 2015.
