Subchapter B. GENERAL LICENSE, CERTIFICATION AND REGISTRATION PROVISIONS
Sec.
16.11. Licenses, certificates and registrations.
16.12. General qualifications for licenses, registrations and certificates.
16.13. Licensure, certification, examination and registration fees.
16.13a. [Reserved].
16.14. Applications for examination.
16.15. Biennial registration; inactive status and unregistered status.
16.16. Reporting of disciplinary actions, criminal dispositions and other licenses, certificates or authorizations to practice.
16.17. Certification of license, certificate or registration status.
16.18. Volunteer license.
16.19. Continuing medical education.§ 16.11. Licenses, certificates and registrations.
(a) The following medical doctor licenses are issued by the Board:
(1) License without restriction.
(2) Institutional license.
(3) Extraterritorial license.
(4) Graduate license.
(5) Temporary license.
(6) Interim limited license.
(b) The following nonmedical doctor licenses and certificates are issued by the Board:
(1) Nurse-midwife license.
(2) Nurse-midwife certificate of prescriptive authority.
(3) Physician assistant license.
(4) Acupuncturist license.
(5) Practitioner of Oriental medicine license.
(6) Behavior specialist license.
(7) Athletic trainer license.
(8) Perfusionist license.
(9) Respiratory therapist license.
(10) Genetic counselor license.
(11) Prosthetist license.
(12) Orthotist license.
(13) Pedorthist license.
(14) Orthotic fitter license.
(15) Graduate prosthetist permit.
(16) Provisional prosthetist license.
(17) Graduate orthotist permit.
(18) Provisional orthotist license.
(19) Temporary practice permit—pedorthist.
(20) Temporary practice permit—orthotic fitter.
(c) The following registrations are issued by the Board:
(1) Registration as a supervising physician of a physician assistant.
(1.1) Initial registration as a naturopathic doctor.
(2) Biennial registration of a license without restriction.
(3) Biennial registration of an extraterritorial license.
(4) Biennial registration of a midwife license.
(5) Biennial registration of a physician assistant license.
(6) [Reserved].
(7) Biennial registration of a limited license-permanent.
(8) Biennial registration of an acupuncturist license.
(9) Biennial registration of a practitioner of Oriental medicine license.
(10) Biennial registration of a behavior specialist license.
(11) Biennial registration of athletic trainer license.
(12) Biennial registration of a perfusionist license.
(13) Biennial registration of a respiratory therapy license.
(14) Biennial registration of a genetic counselor license.
(15) Biennial registration of a prosthetist license.
(16) Biennial registration of an orthotist license.
(17) Biennial registration of a pedorthist license.
(18) Biennial registration of an orthotic fitter license.
(19) Biennial registration of a naturopathic doctor registration.
Authority The provisions of this § 16.11 amended under sections 3, 8, 8.1, 12, 13, 13.1(c), 13.4, 25, 36 and 51.1(d) of the Medical Practice Act of 1985 (63 P.S. § § 422.3, 422.8, 422.8a, 422.12, 422.13, 422.13a(c), 422.13d, 422.25, 422.36 and 422.51a(d)); section 3 of the Acupuncture Licensure Act (63 P.S. § 1803); section 635.2(g) of The Insurance Company Law of 1921 (40 P.S. § 764h(g)); section 3 of the act of July 5, 2012 (P.L. 873, No. 90); section 2 of the act of July 2, 2014 (P.L. 941, No. 104); and sections 202(b), 203(b) and (c) and 207 of the Naturopathic Doctor Registration Act (63 P.S. § § 272.202(6), 272.203(b) and (c) and 272.207).
Source The provisions of this § 16.11 amended August 13, 1993, effective August 14, 1993, 23 Pa.B. 3780; amended November 17, 2006, effective November 18, 2006, 36 Pa.B. 7009; amended April 13, 2007, effective April 14, 2007, 37 Pa.B. 1644; amended April 3, 2009, effective April 4, 2009, 39 Pa.B. 1625; amended January 8, 2010, effective January 9, 2010, 40 Pa.B. 250; amended May 25, 2010, effective May 26, 2010, 42 Pa.B. 2955; amended April 19, 2013, effective April 20, 2013, 43 Pa.B. 2142; amended August 2, 2013, effective August 3, 2013, 43 Pa.B. 4329; amended January 31, 2014, effective February 1, 2014, 44 Pa.B. 583; amended October 31, 2014, effective November 1, 2014, 44 Pa.B. 6923; amended October 21, 2016, effective October 22, 2016, 46 Pa.B. 6618; amended May 17, 2024, effective May 18, 2024, 54 Pa.B. 2780. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (409145) to (409146).
§ 16.12. General qualifications for licenses, registrations and certificates.
To qualify for an initial license, registration or certificate issued by the Board, an applicant shall establish that the following criteria are satisfied:
(1) The applicant is of legal age.
(2) The applicant is of good moral character.
(3) The applicant is not intemperately using alcohol or habitually using narcotics or other habit-forming drugs.
(3.1) The applicant has completed at least 3 hours of approved training in child abuse recognition and reporting in accordance with § 16.108(a) (relating to child abuse recognition and reporting—mandatory training requirement).
(4) The applicant has not been convicted of a felony under The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act (35 P.S. § § 780-101—780-144) or of an offense under the statutes of another jurisdiction which, if committed in this Commonwealth, would be a felony under The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act, unless the following apply:
(i) At least 10 years have elapsed from the date of conviction.
(ii) The applicant satisfactorily demonstrates to the Board that he has made significant progress in personal rehabilitation since the conviction so that licensure or certification of the applicant is not expected to create a substantial risk of harm to the health and safety of patients or the public or substantial risk of further criminal violations.
(iii) The applicant otherwise satisfies the qualifications contained in the act, this chapter and Chapters 17 and 18 (relating to State Board of Medicine—medical doctors; and State Board of Medicine—practitioners other than medical doctors).
Authority The provisions of this § 16.12 amended under section 8 of the Medical Practice Act of 1985 (63 P.S. § 422.8); 23 Pa.C.S. § 6383(b)(2); and sections 202(6), 203(b) and (c) and 207 of the Naturopathic Doctor Registration Act (63 P.S. § § 272.202(6), 272.203(b) and (c) and 272.207).
Source The provisions of this § 16.12 amended March 25, 2022, effective March 26, 2022, 52 Pa.B. 1899; amended May 17, 2024, effective May 18, 2024, 54 Pa.B. 2780. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (409146) to (409147).
Cross References This section cited in 49 Pa. Code § 17.1 (relating to license without restriction); 49 Pa. Code § 17.2 (relating to licensure without restriction—endorsement); 49 Pa. Code § 17.3 (relating to institutional license); 49 Pa. Code § 17.4 (relating to extraterritorial license); 49 Pa. Code § 17.5 (relating to graduate license); 49 Pa. Code § 17.6 (relating to temporary license); 49 Pa. Code § 17.7 (relating to interim limited license); 49 Pa. Code § 18.2 (relating to licensure requirements); and 49 Pa. Code § 18.141 (relating to criteria for licensure as a physician assistant).
§ 16.13. Licensure, certification, examination and registration fees.
(a) Medical Doctor License:
License Without Restriction:
Application, graduate of accredited medical college…$35
Application, graduate of unaccredited medical college…$85
Biennial renewal…$360
Extraterritorial License:
Application…$30
Biennial renewal …$80
Graduate License:
Application, graduate of accredited medical college …$30
Application, graduate of unaccredited medical college …$85
Annual renewal …$15
Interim Limited License:
Application …$30
Biennial renewal …$10
Miscellaneous:
Application, institutional license …$35
Application, temporary license …$45
Biennial renewal, limited license (permanent) …$25
(b) Nurse-midwife License:
Application for nurse-midwife license (including one collaborative agreement)… $ 50
Filing each additional collaborative agreement… $ 30
Application for prescriptive authority certificate … $ 70
Biennial renewal of nurse-midwife license … $ 40
Biennial renewal of prescriptive authority certificate … $ 25
Verification of licensure … $ 15
(c) Physician Assistant License:
Application …$30
Biennial renewal …$40
Registration, supervising physician …$35
Registration of additional supervising physicians …$5
Satellite location approval …$25
(d) Acupuncturist licenses:
(1) Acupuncturist:
Application…$30
Biennial renewal…$40
(2) Practitioner of Oriental medicine license:
Application…$30
Biennial renewal…$40
(e) [Reserved].
(f) Radiology Technician:
Application for examination …$25
(g) Respiratory Therapist License:
Application, temporary permit …$30
Application, initial certification …$30
Biennial renewal …$25
(h) Athletic Trainer License:
Application …$20
Biennial renewal …$37
(i) Behavior Specialist License:
Application for license as behavior specialist … $75
Biennial renewal of behavior specialist license … $75
Application for reactivation of behavior specialist license …$75
(j) Verification or Certification:
Verification of status …$15
Certification of records …$25
(k) Examination Fees:
The Board has adopted Nationally recognized examinations in each licensing class. Fees are established by the National owners/providers of the examinations and are indicated in the examination applications.
(l) Perfusionist License:
Application for perfusionist license…$50
Biennial registration of perfusionist license…$50
Application for reactivation of perfusionist license…$50
Application for temporary graduate perfusionist license…$50
Application for temporary provisional perfusionist license…$40
(m) Genetic Counselor License:
Application for genetic counselor license…$50
Application for uncertified genetic counselor license…$100
Biennial renewal of genetic counselor license…$75
Application for reactivation of genetic counselor license…$50
Application for temporary provisional genetic counselor license…$50
(n) Prosthetists:
Application for prosthetist license …$50
Biennial renewal of prosthetist license …$75
Application for reactivation of prosthetist license …$50
Application for graduate prosthetist permit …$50
Application for provisional prosthetist license …$50
(o) Orthotists:
Application for orthotist license …$50
Biennial renewal of orthotist license …$75
Application for reactivation of orthotist license …$50
Application for graduate orthotist permit …$50
Application for provisional orthotist license …$50
(p) Pedorthists:
Application for pedorthist license …$25
Biennial renewal of pedorthist license …$75
Application for reactivation of pedorthist license …$25
Application for pedorthist temporary permit …$25
(q) Orthotic fitters:
Application for orthotic fitter license …$25
Biennial renewal of orthotic fitter license …$75
Application for reactivation of orthotic fitter license …$25
Application for orthotic fitter temporary permit …$25
(r) Naturopathic doctor registration:
Application for initial registration … $100
Biennial renewal …$50
Authority The provisions of this § 16.13 amended under sections 3, 6, 8, 8.1, 12, 13, 13.1(c), 13.4, 24, 25, 35, 36 and 51.1(d) of the Medical Practice Act of 1985 (63 P. S. § § 422.3, 422.6, 422.8, 422.8a, 422.12, 422.13, 422.13a(c), 422.13d, 422.24, 422.25, 422.35, 422.36 and 422.51a(d)); section 812.1 of The Administrative Act of 1929 (71 P. S. § 279.3a); section 3 of the Acupuncture Licensure Act (63 P. S. § 1803); section 635.2(g) of The Insurance Company Law of 1921 (40 P. S. § 764h(g)); section 3 of the act of July 5, 2012 (P.L. 873, No. 90); section 2 of the act of July 2, 2014 (P.L. 941, No. 104); and sections 202(6), 203(b) and (c) and 207 of the Naturopathic Doctor Registration Act (63 P.S. § § 272.202(6), 272.203(b) and (c) and 272.207).
Source The provisions of this § 16.13 adopted January 2, 1987, effective immediately and applies retroactivity to December 31, 1986, 17 Pa.B. 24; amended July 17, 1987, effective July 18, 1987, 17 Pa.B. 3021; amended July 22, 1988, effective immediately, 18 Pa.B. 3210; amended June 22, 1990, effective June 23, 1990, 20 Pa.B. 3495; amended July 27, 1990, effective July 28, 1990, 20 Pa.B. 4085; amended January 18, 1991, effective January 19, 1991, 21 Pa.B. 226; amended May 24, 1991, effective May 25, 1991, 21 Pa.B. 2489; amended December 24, 1992, effective December 26, 1992, 22 Pa.B. 6117; amended August 13, 1993, effective August 14, 1993, 23 Pa.B. 3780; amended March 25, 1994, effective March 26, 1994, 24 Pa.B. 1581; amended February 2, 1996, effective February 3, 1996, and apply to examinations administered on and after September 1, 1995, 26 Pa.B. 487; amended September 13, 1996, effective August 14, 1993, 26 Pa.B. 4411; amended September 18, 1998, effective September 19, 1998, 28 Pa.B. 4721; amended January 11, 2002, effective January 12, 2002, 32 Pa.B. 249; amended July 5, 2002, effective July 6, 2002, 32 Pa.B. 3217; amended November 17, 2006, effective November 18, 2006, 36 Pa.B. 7009; amended April 13, 2007, effective April 14, 2007, 37 Pa.B. 1644; amended July 13, 2007, effective July 14, 2007, 37 Pa.B. 3230; amended April 3, 2009, effective April 4, 2009, 39 Pa.B. 1625; amended January 8, 2010, effective January 9, 2010, 40 Pa.B. 250; amended May 25, 2012, effective May 26, 2012, 42 Pa.B. 2955; amended April 19, 2013, effective April 20, 2013, 43 Pa.B. 2142; amended August 2, 2013, effective August 3, 2013, 43 Pa.B. 4329; amended January 31, 2014, effective February 1, 2014, 44 Pa.B. 583; amended October 31, 2014, effective November 1, 2014, 44 Pa.B. 6923; amended October 21, 2016, effective October 22, 2016, 46 Pa.B. 6618; amended May 17, 2024, effective May 18, 2024, 54 Pa.B. 2780. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (409147) to (409150).
Cross References This section cited in 49 Pa. Code § 16.18 (relating to volunteer license); 49 Pa. Code § 17.5 (relating to graduate license); 49 Pa. Code § 17.8 (relating to licenses, certificates and registrations issued prior to January 1, 1986); 49 Pa. Code § 17.22 (relating to graduate medical trainee registration); 49 Pa. Code § 18.2 (relating to licensure requirements); 49 Pa. Code § 18.3 (relating to biennial registration requirements); 49 Pa. Code § 18.13 (relating to requirements for licensure as an acupuncturist); 49 Pa. Code § 18.14 (relating to biennial registration requirements); 49 Pa. Code § 18.141 (relating to criteria for licensure as a physician assistant); 49 Pa. Code § 18.143 (relating to criteria for registration as supervising physician); 49 Pa. Code § 18.145 (relating to biennial registration requirements; renewal of physician assistant license); and 49 Pa. Code § 18.203 (relating to applications for examination); 49 Pa. Code § 18.504 (relating to application for licensure); 49 Pa. Code § 18.523 (relating to application for licensure as behavior specialist); 49 Pa. Code § 18.525 (relating to renewal of licensure as behavior specialist); 49 Pa. Code § 18.526 (relating to inactive status of licensure as behavior specialist); 49 Pa. Code § 18.603 (relating to application for perfusionist license); 49 Pa. Code § 18.604 (relating to application for temporary graduate perfusionist license); 49 Pa. Code § 18.605 (relating to application for temporary provisional perfusionist license); 49 Pa. Code § 18.607 (relating to biennial registration of perfusionist license); 49 Pa. Code § 18.608 (relating to inactive and expired status of perfusionist license; reactivation of inactive or expired license); 49 Pa. Code § 18.703 (relating to application for genetic counselor license); 49 Pa. Code § 18.704 (relating to application for genetic counselor license by uncertified persons); 49 Pa. Code § 18.705 (relating to application for temporary provisional genetic counselor license); 49 Pa. Code § 18.706 (relating to biennial registration of genetic counselor license); 49 Pa. Code § 18.707 (relating to inactive status of genetic counselor license; reactivation of inactive license); 49 Pa. Code § 18.811 (relating to graduate permit); 49 Pa. Code § 18.813 (relating to provisional prosthetist license); 49 Pa. Code § 18.814 (relating to prosthetist license); 49 Pa. Code § 18.821 (relating to graduate permit); 49 Pa. Code § 18.823 (relating to provisional orthotist license); 49 Pa. Code § 18.824 (relating to orthotist license); 49 Pa. Code § 18.831 (relating to temporary practice permit); 49 Pa. Code § 18.833 (relating to pedorthist license); 49 Pa. Code § 18.841 (relating to temporary practice permit); 49 Pa. Code § 18.843 (relating to orthotic fitter license); 49 Pa. Code § 18.861 (relating to biennial renewal of license); 49 Pa. Code § 18.863 (relating to inactive and expired status of licenses; reactivation of inactive or expired license); 49 Pa. Code § 18.903 (relating to application for naturopathic doctor registration); 49 Pa. Code § 18.904 (relating to biennial registration of naturopathic doctor); and 49 Pa. Code § 18.905 (relating to inactive status; reactivation of inactive or expired registration).
§ 16.13a. [Reserved].
Source The provisions of this § 16.13a reserved January 11, 2002, effective January 12, 2002, 32 Pa.B. 249. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (247917).
§ 16.14. Applications for examination.
An applicant applying to take an examination administered by the Board or its agent shall file with the Board, or with its agent if directed by the Board, at least 90 days prior to the date of the examination, a properly completed application accompanied by the required fee.
§ 16.15. Biennial registration; inactive status and unregistered status.
(a) A person licensed, certified or registered by the Board, shall register biennially to retain the right to engage in practice unless specifically exempted within this section. Initial registration shall automatically occur when the license, certificate or registration is issued.
(b) The following licenses, certificates and registration are not subject to biennial registration:
(1) Institutional license.
(2) Graduate license.
(3) Temporary license.
(4) Interim limited license.
(5) Registration as a physician assistant supervisor of a physician assistant.
(c) Registration for a biennium expires December 31 of every even-numbered year. Application for biennial registration shall be made upon forms supplied by the Board. The forms shall be filed with the Board with the required registration fee prior to the expiration of the previous biennial registration.
(c.1) A licensee or certificate holder applying for biennial registration shall, as a condition of biennial registration, complete at least 2 hours of approved training in child abuse recognition and reporting in accordance with § 16.108(b) (relating to child abuse recognition and reporting—mandatory training requirement).
(d) Biennial registration forms and other forms or literature to be distributed by the Board will be forwarded to the last mailing address given the Board by the licensee, registrant or certificate holder. If the mailing address of record is changed, the Board shall be notified, in writing, within 15 days after making the address change. Failure of the Board to send, or of the individual to receive, a biennial registration application, does not relieve the individual of the biennial registration responsibility.
(e) A failure to pay the biennial registration fee by the required time automatically causes the license, certificate or registration to be placed in an unregistered status. A person who desires to become inactive shall notify the Board, in writing, prior to doing so, and the license, certificate or registration will be placed in inactive status. The licensee, registrant or certificate holder who either fails to pay the biennial registration fee or who notifies the Board of the desire to become inactive will not be sent biennial registration forms for the following or subsequent biennial registration periods unless that individual notifies the Board, in writing, of a desire to again register the license, certificate or registration.
(f) If all other conditions have been met, registered status will be restored upon the payment of fees and penalties which have accrued.
(g) The holder of a license, certificate or registration is not permitted to engage in practice in this Commonwealth unless the current registration fee is paid. If a person engages in practice in this Commonwealth during the period in which registration was not renewed, that individual is required to pay a $5 fee for each month or part of a month after the date specified for renewal of the biennial registration, and may be subject to possible disciplinary proceedings and criminal prosecution.
(h) The holder of a license, certificate or registration applying to return to registered status is required to pay the current and back registration and penalty fees which are due, submit a notarized affidavit setting forth the period of time in which the individual did not practice in this Commonwealth, submit a resume of activities since that person was last registered and comply with § 16.16(c) (relating to reporting of disciplinary actions, criminal dispositions and other licenses, certificates or authorizations to practice), absent the 30-day grace period provided for in this subsection.
(i) The licensee, registrant or certificate holder who seeks to update his registration will not be assessed a fee or penalty for a preceding biennial registration period in which that person did not engage in practice in this Commonwealth.
(j) If the person has not been practicing in this Commonwealth for longer than 4 years, the Board may require that a personal interview be conducted by a designated Board member or representative to ascertain the physical and mental fitness of the applicant to practice in this Commonwealth.
Authority The provisions of this § 16.15 amended under sections 8, 13 and 36 of the Medical Practice Act of 1985 (63 P.S. § § 422.13 and 422.36); section 3 of the Acupuncture Licensure Act (63 P.S. § 1803); and 23 Pa.C.S. § 6383(b)(2).
Source The provisions of this § 16.15 amended August 13, 1993, effective August 14, 1993, 23 Pa.B. 3780; amended April 13, 2007, effective April 14, 2007, 37 Pa.B. 1644; amended January 8, 2010, effective January 9, 2010, 40 Pa.B. 250; amended March 25, 2022, effective March 26, 2022, 52 Pa.B. 1899. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (384325) to (384326).
Cross References This section cited in 49 Pa. Code § 17.8 (relating to licenses, certificates and registrations issued prior to January 1, 1986); 49 Pa. Code § 18.3 (relating to biennial registration requirements); 49 Pa. Code § 18.14 (relating to biennial registration requirements); 49 Pa. Code § 18.145 (relating to biennial registration requirements; renewal of physician assistant license); 49 Pa. Code § 18.607 (relating to biennial registration of perfusionist license); 49 Pa. Code § 18.706 (relating to biennial registration of genetic counselor license); 49 Pa. Code § 18.861 (relating to biennial renewal of license); and 49 Pa. Code § 18.904 (relating to biennial registration of naturopathic doctor).
§ 16.16. Reporting of disciplinary actions, criminal dispositions and other licenses, certificates or authorizations to practice.
(a) An applicant for a license, certificate or registration issued by the Board shall apprise the Board of any of the following:
(1) A license, certificate or other authorization to practice a profession issued, denied or limited by another state, territory or possession of the United States, another country or a branch of the Federal government.
(2) Disciplinary action instituted against the applicant by a licensing authority of another state, territory or possession of the United States, another country or a branch of the Federal government.
(3) A finding or verdict of guilt, an admission of guilt, a plea of nolo contendere, probation without verdict, a disposition in lieu of trial or an accelerated rehabilitative disposition with respect to a felony offense or a misdemeanor offense relating to a health care practice or profession.
(b) Portions of applications provided by the Board will be reserved to assist applicants in meeting the reporting responsibilities enumerated in subsection (a).
(c) The reporting responsibilities enumerated in subsection (a) continue after the Board issues a license, certificate or registration. If, after the Board has issued a license, certificate or registration, any of the events in subsection (a) occur, the person shall report that matter to the Board in writing within 30 days after its occurrence.
Authority The provisions of this § 16.16 amended under section 3 of the Acupuncture Registration Act (63 P.S. § 1803).
Source The provisions of this § 16.16 amended April 13, 2007, effective April 14, 2007, 37 Pa.B. 1644. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (323408).
Cross References This section cited in 49 Pa. Code § 16.15 (relating to biennial registration; inactive status and unregistered status); and 49 Pa. Code § 18.903 (relating to application for naturopathic doctor registration).
§ 16.17. Certification of license, certificate or registration status.
(a) The status of a license, certificate or registration issued by the Board will be certified by the Board to other jurisdictions or persons upon formal application and payment of the fee indicated under § 16.13 (relating to licensure, certification, examination and registration fees).
(b) A person who is licensed, certified or registered by the Board who seeks a license, certificate or registration in another jurisdiction or country, may be required to arrange for the Board to provide certain information to the licensing authority in the other jurisdiction by the Board completing a document and then forwarding the document to the other licensing authority. In that case, the document shall be completed prior to being submitted to the Board with the exception of the portion to be completed by the Board. It shall then be forwarded to the Board with the request that it be completed and forwarded to the licensing authority in the other jurisdiction.
(c) A request to certify the status of a person’s license, certificate or registration or information regarding a person’s license, certificate or registration status shall be forwarded to the Board, accompanied by the fee indicated under § 16.13 in the form of a certified check, cashier’s check, money order or personal check payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Source The provisions of this § 16.17 amended January 11, 2002, effective January 12, 2002, 32 Pa.B. 249. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (238258).
§ 16.18. Volunteer license.
(a) Purpose and definitions.
(1) The following subsections implement the Volunteer Health Services Act (35 P. S. § § 449.41—449.50) and provide for the issuance of a volunteer license to a qualified Board-regulated practitioner as defined in section 2 of the act (63 P. S. § 422.2), who retires from active practice and seeks to provide professional services as a volunteer. A volunteer license authorizes the holder to practice only in an organized community-based clinic without remuneration.
(2) The following words and terms, when used in this section, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
Approved clinic—An organized community-based clinic offering primary health care services to individuals and families who cannot pay for their care, to Medical Assistance clients or to residents of medically underserved areas or health professionals shortage areas. The term includes a State health center, nonprofit community-based clinic and Federally qualified health center, as designated by Federal rulemaking or as approved by the Department of Health or the Department of Public Welfare.
Unrestricted license—A license which is not restricted or limited by order of the Board under its disciplinary power.(b) License. A volunteer license may be issued to a Board-regulated practitioner of the Board for whom the Board has received verification from the course provider that the applicant has completed at least 3 hours of approved training in child abuse recognition and reporting in accordance with § 16.108(a) (relating to child abuse recognition and reporting—mandatory training requirement) and who documents to the satisfaction of the Board that the applicant will practice without personal remuneration in approved clinics and meets one of the following:
(1) Holds a currently renewed, active, unrestricted license, registration or certificate in this Commonwealth and retires from active practice at the time the applicant applies for a volunteer license.
(2) Retires from active practice in this Commonwealth in possession of an unrestricted license which was allowed to lapse by not renewing it.
(c) Applications. An applicant for a volunteer license shall complete an application obtained from the Board. In addition to providing information requested by the Board, the applicant shall provide:
(1) An executed verification on forms provided by the Board certifying that the applicant intends to practice exclusively as follows:
(i) Without personal remuneration for professional services.
(ii) In an approved clinic.
(2) A letter signed by the director or chief operating officer of an approved clinic that the applicant has been authorized to provide volunteer services in the named clinic by the governing body or responsible officer of the clinic.
(3) A certification statement confirming that the applicant has completed at least 3 hours of approved training in child abuse recognition and reporting in accordance with § 16.108(a).
(d) Validity of license. A volunteer license shall be valid for the biennial period for which it is issued, subject to biennial renewal. During each biennial renewal period, the volunteer license holder shall notify the Board of any change in clinic or volunteer status within 30 days of the date of a change, or at the time of renewal, whichever occurs first.
(e) Renewal of license. A volunteer license shall be renewed biennially on forms provided by the Board. In accordance with section 6(c) or (d) of the Volunteer Health Services Act (35 P.S. § 449.46), a volunteer license holder shall comply with the applicable continuing education requirements, including at least 2 hours of training in approved child abuse recognition and reporting in accordance with § 16.108(b). The applicant shall be exempt from payment of the biennial renewal fee of § 16.13 (relating to licensure, certification, examination and registration fees), and is exempt from the requirements with regard to the maintenance of liability insurance coverage under section 711 of the MCARE Act (40 P.S. § 1303.711) as provided in section 9 of the Volunteer Health Services Act (35 P.S. § 449.49).
(f) Return to active practice. A volunteer license holder who desires to return to active practice shall notify the Board and apply for biennial registration on forms provided by the Board.
(g) Disciplinary provisions. A volunteer license holder shall be subject to the disciplinary provisions of the act and this chapter. Failure of the licensee to comply with the Volunteer Health Services Act (35 P. S. § § 449.41—449.50) or this section may also constitute grounds for disciplinary action.
Authority The provisions of this § 16.18 issued under section 5 of the Volunteer Health Services Act (35 P.S. § 449.45); and section 8 of the Medical Practice Act (63 P.S. § 422.8); amended under section 8 of the Medical Practice Act of 1985 (63 P.S. § 422.8); and 23 Pa.C.S. § 6383(b)(2).
Source The provisions of this § 16.18 adopted November 28, 1997, effective November 29, 1997, 27 Pa.B. 6208; amended August 24, 2012, effective August 25, 2012, 42 Pa.B. 5484; amended March 25, 2022, effective March 26, 2022, 52 Pa.B. 1899. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (363452) to (363453).
§ 16.19. Continuing medical education.
(a) Beginning with the licensure renewal period commencing January 1, 2005, proof of completion of 25 credit hours of continuing medical education in the preceding biennial period will be required for licensure renewal for medical doctors. The 25 credit hours for the January 1, 2005, license renewal period may be completed in either AMA PRA Category 1 or AMA PRA Category 2 activities, and must include 3 hours in patient safety and risk management.
(b) Proof of completion of 100 credit hours of continuing medical education in the preceding biennial period, including at least 2 hours of approved training in child abuse recognition and reporting in accordance with § 16.108(b) (relating to child abuse recognition and reporting—mandatory training requirement), will be required for licensure renewal for medical doctors.
(1) At least 20 credit hours shall be completed in AMA PRA category 1 approved activities. At least 12 credit hours shall be completed in AMA PRA Category 1 or AMA PRA Category 2 approved activities in the area of patient safety and risk management. Approved activities in the area of patient safety and risk management may include topics such as improving medical records and recordkeeping, reducing medical errors, professional conduct and ethics, improving communications, preventative medicine and healthcare quality improvement. The remaining credit hours shall be completed in AMA PRA Category 1 or AMA PRA Category 2 approved activities. Credit will not be granted for courses in office management or practice building.
(2) Physicians shall retain official documentation of attendance for 2 years after renewal, and shall certify completed activities on a form provided by the Board for that purpose, to be filed with the biennial renewal form. Official documentation proving completion of continuing medical education activities shall be produced, upon Board demand, under random audits of reported credit hours. Electronic submission of documentation is permissible to prove compliance with this subsection. Noncompliance may result in disciplinary proceedings under section 41(6) of the Medical Practice Act of 1985 (63 P. S. 422.41(6)).
(i) Acceptable documentation for Category 1 activities are:
(A) AMA PRA certificates.
(B) Certificate of completion of a Category 1 activity sponsored by an organization accredited by ACCME or designee of the ACCME.
(C) Certificates from a medical professional society or specialty certification by a member organization of the American Board of Medical Specialties.
(D) Healthcare system credential certification.
(E) Third party payor credentialing certification.
(F) Certification by a CME organization whose standards meet or exceed those established by AMA PRA.
(ii) Acceptable documentation for Category 2 activities are:
(A) Documentation from sources acceptable for Category 1 activities.
(B) Documentation maintained by the physician contemporaneous to the CME activity such as personal log books, diaries, journal notes or applications for credentialing or certification by an organization recognized by the ACCME or designee of the ACCME. The documentation shall identify the activity and the amount of time spent in the activity.
(3) The following exemptions apply for certain physicians:
(i) A physician applying for licensure in this Commonwealth for the first time shall be exempt from the continuing medical education requirement for the biennial renewal period following initial licensure.
(ii) A physician holding a current temporary training license shall be exempt from the continuing medical education requirement.
(iii) A retired physician who provides care only to immediate family members shall be exempt from the continuing medical education requirement.
(iv) A physician who is on inactive status shall be exempt from the continuing medical education requirement, except that a physician who is seeking to reinstate an inactive or lapsed license shall show proof of compliance with the continuing education requirement for the preceding biennium.
(4) A physician suspended for disciplinary reasons is not exempt from the requirements of this section.
(5) Waiver of the CME requirements may be permitted, as follows:
(i) The Board may grant a hardship waiver of all or a part of the continuing medical education requirement in cases of serious illness, military service or other good cause provided that the public’s safety and welfare will not be jeopardized by the granting of the waiver.
(ii) A request for waiver must be made in writing, with appropriate documentation, and include a description of circumstances sufficient to show why compliance is impossible.
(iii) Waiver requests will be evaluated by the Board on a case-by-case basis. The Board will send written notification of its approval or denial of a waiver request.
Authority The provisions of this § 16.19 issued under section 910 of the Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error (MCARE) Act (40 P.S. § 1303.910); amended under section 8 of the Medical Practice Act of 1985 (63 P.S. § 422.8); and 23 Pa.C.S. § 6383(b)(2).
Source The provisions of this § 16.19 adopted August 27, 2004, effective August 28, 2004, 34 Pa.B. 4686; amended March 25, 2022, effective March 26, 2022, 52 Pa.B. 1899. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (363453) to (363455).
No part of the information on this site may be reproduced for profit or sold for profit.
This material has been drawn directly from the official Pennsylvania Code full text database. Due to the limitations of HTML or differences in display capabilities of different browsers, this version may differ slightly from the official printed version.
