Published: 2015-07-08
Key Benefits:
(a) The board may order the denial of an application for, or the issuance subject to terms and conditions of, or the suspension or revocation of, or the imposition of probationary conditions upon a physician assistant license after a hearing as required in Section 3528 for unprofessional conduct that includes, but is not limited to, a violation of this chapter, a violation of the Medical Practice Act, or a violation of the regulations adopted by the board or the Medical Board of California.
(b) The board may order the denial of an application for, or the suspension or revocation of, or the imposition of probationary conditions upon, an approved program after a hearing as required in Section 3528 for a violation of this chapter or the regulations adopted pursuant thereto.
(c) The Medical Board of California may order the denial of an application for, or the issuance subject to terms and conditions of, or the suspension or revocation of, or the imposition of probationary conditions upon, an approval to supervise a physician assistant, after a hearing as required in Section 3528, for unprofessional conduct, which includes, but is not limited to, a violation of this chapter, a violation of the Medical Practice Act, or a violation of the regulations adopted by the board or the Medical Board of California.
(d) Notwithstanding subdivision (c), the Division of Medical Quality of the Medical Board of California, in conjunction with an action it has commenced against a physician and surgeon, may, in its own discretion and without the concurrence of the Medical Board of California, order the suspension or revocation of, or the imposition of probationary conditions upon, an approval to supervise a physician assistant, after a hearing as required in Section 3528, for unprofessional conduct, which includes, but is not limited to, a violation of this chapter, a violation of the Medical Practice Act, or a violation of the regulations adopted by the board or the Medical Board of California.
(e) The board may order the denial of an application for, or the suspension or revocation of, or the imposition of probationary conditions upon, a physician assistant license, after a hearing as required in Section 3528 for unprofessional conduct that includes, except for good cause, the knowing failure of a licensee to protect patients by failing to follow infection control guidelines of the board, thereby risking transmission of bloodborne infectious diseases from licensee to patient, from patient to patient, and from patient to licensee. In administering this subdivision, the board shall consider referencing the standards, regulations, and guidelines of the State Department of Public Health developed pursuant to Section 1250.11 of the Health and Safety Code and the standards, regulations, and guidelines pursuant to the California Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1973 (Part 1 (commencing with Section 6300) of Division 5 of the Labor Code) for preventing the transmission of HIV, hepatitis B, and other bloodborne pathogens in health care settings. As necessary, the board shall consult with the Medical Board of California, the Board of Podiatric Medicine, the Board of Dental Examiners, the Board of Registered Nursing, and the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians, to encourage appropriate consistency in the implementation of this subdivision.
The board shall seek to ensure that licensees are informed of the responsibility of licensees and others to follow infection control guidelines, and of the most recent scientifically recognized safeguards for minimizing the risk of transmission of blood-borne infectious diseases.
(f) The board may order the licensee to pay the costs of monitoring the probationary conditions imposed on the license.
(g) The expiration, cancellation, forfeiture, or suspension of a physician assistant license by operation of law or by order or decision of the board or a court of law, the placement of a license on a retired status, or the voluntary surrender of a license by a licensee shall not deprive the board of jurisdiction to commence or proceed with any investigation of, or action or disciplinary proceeding against, the licensee or to render a decision suspending or revoking the license.
(Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 332, Sec. 61. Effective January 1, 2013.)
Any proceedings involving the denial, suspension, or revocation of the application for licensure or the license of a physician assistant, the application for approval or the approval of a supervising physician, or the application for approval or the approval of an approved program under this chapter 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.
(Amended by Stats. 1998, Ch. 878, Sec. 24. Effective January 1, 1999.)
The board may hear any matters filed pursuant to subdivisions (a) and (b) of Section 3527, or may assign the matter to a hearing officer. The Medical Board of California may hear any matters filed pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 3527, or may assign the matter to a hearing officer. If a matter is heard by the board or the Medical Board of California, the hearing officer who presided at the hearing shall be present during the board’s or the Medical Board of California’s consideration of the case, and, if requested, assist and advise the board or the Medical Board of California.
(Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 332, Sec. 62. Effective January 1, 2013.)
(a) A person whose license or approval has been revoked or suspended, or who has been placed on probation, may petition the board for reinstatement or modification of penalty, including modification or termination of probation, after a period of not less than the following minimum periods has elapsed from the effective date of the decision ordering that disciplinary action:
(1) At least three years for reinstatement of a license or approval 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 license or approval revoked for mental or physical illness, or termination of probation of less than three years.
(b) The petition shall state any facts as may be required by the Medical Board of California. The petition shall be accompanied by at least two verified recommendations from physicians licensed either by the Medical Board of California or the Osteopathic Medical Board who have personal knowledge of the activities of the petitioner since the disciplinary penalty was imposed.
(c) The petition may be heard by 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 that shall be acted upon in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.
(d) 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 license was in good standing, and the petitioner’s rehabilitative efforts, general reputation for truth, and professional ability. The hearing may be continued, as the board or administrative law judge finds necessary.
(e) The board or administrative law judge, when hearing a petition for reinstating a license or approval or modifying a penalty, may recommend the imposition of any terms and conditions deemed necessary.
(f) 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.
(g) Nothing in this section shall be deemed to alter Sections 822 and 823.
(Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 332, Sec. 63. Effective January 1, 2013.)
A plea or verdict of guilty or a conviction following a plea of nolo contendere made to a charge of a felony or of any offense which is substantially related to the qualifications, functions, or duties of the business or profession to which the license was issued is deemed to be a conviction within the meaning of this chapter. The board may order the license suspended or revoked, or shall decline to issue a license 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 the imposition of sentence, irrespective of a subsequent order under the provisions of Section 1203.4 of the Penal Code allowing such 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, information, or indictment.
(Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 332, Sec. 64. Effective January 1, 2013.)