The AZ Medical Board on Physician Assistants

The AZ Medical Board on physician assistants (MBA) is a state-level regulatory board that licenses and disciplines physician assistants (PAs) in the state of Arizona.

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The role of physician assistants in Arizona

The Arizona Medical Board licenses and regulates physician assistants (PAs) in the state of Arizona. PAs are health care professionals who work under the supervision of a licensed physician.

PAs perform many of the same tasks as physicians, including taking medical histories, performing physical exams, ordering and interpreting lab tests, diagnosing and treating illnesses, prescribing medications, and providing patient education.

PAs are educated in the medical model and are trained to provide diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive Health Care services to patients of all ages. PAs practice in all areas of medicine, including primary care, surgery, Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Psychiatry, and Emergency Medicine.

PAs must complete an accredited PA education program and pass a national certifying exam to become licensed to practice in Arizona. PAs must also complete continuing medical education (CME) courses annually to maintain their license.

The training and education required to become a Physician assistant in Arizona

The minimum educational requirement to become a Physician Assistant is the successful completion of an accredited physician assistant program and earning a bachelor’s degree.

There are currently two accredited physician assistant programs in Arizona, both located at universities. The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the educational programs at both Midwestern University and A.T. Still University.

Physician assistants in Arizona must also successfully pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). PAs who successfully pass the PANCE receive the credential “Physician Assistant-Certified” or “PA-C”.

The scope of practice for physician assistants in Arizona

The Arizona Medical Board is the licensing and regulatory body for physicians and physician assistants in the state of Arizona. As such, the Board is responsible for ensuring that all physician assistants who practice in Arizona are properly trained and qualified to do so.

The scope of practice for physician assistants in Arizona is determined by the Board. In general, physician assistants are allowed to perform most of the same tasks as physicians, with a few exceptions. One exception is that physician assistants cannot prescribe controlled substances.

In order to be licensed as a physician assistant in Arizona, an individual must first complete an accredited physician assistant education program and pass the national certification examination administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. Once these requirements have been met, the individual must then apply to the Board for licensure.

The regulation of physician assistants by the Arizona Medical Board

The regulation of physician assistants by the Arizona Medical Board is governed by statutes and rules adopted by the Board. The Board licenses and regulates PAs in order to protect the public from unqualified or incompetent practice. PAs who are employed by or contracting with a physician are not required to be licensed by the Board but must comply with all other applicable laws and regulations.

The Board’s mission is “to safeguard the public’s health and welfare by ensuring that only qualified PAs are licensed to practice in Arizona and that they practice medicine with competence and professional conduct.”

PAs must meet the following requirements to be licensed by the Board:
-Graduation from an accredited PA program
-A passing score on the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE)
-A criminal background check
-Completion of an application for licensure and payment of a fee

The complaints process for physician assistants in Arizona

The complaints process for physician assistants in Arizona is administered by the Arizona Medical Board (AMB). All complaints against physician assistants must be submitted in writing and should include as much specific information as possible. The complaint will be reviewed by staff to determine if the complaint falls within the Board’s regulatory authority. If it is determined that the Board does not have regulatory authority, the complaint will beignored and closed.

If the Board has regulatory authority, an investigation may be opened. The investigator will gather information from all parties involved in order to make a determination whether or not there has been a violation of the Arizona Medical Practice Act. If it is determined that a violation has occurred, the matter will be referred to a hearing panel for further review.

The hearing panel will make a determination as to whether or not disciplinary action is warranted. If disciplinary action is taken, it may include a reprimand, probation, suspension, or revocation of the physician assistant’s license.

The discipline process for physician assistants in Arizona

The AZ Medical Board (AZMB) has a process for disciplining physician assistants (PAs) that is similar to the process for physicians. PAs who are accused of misconduct or incompetence are first investigated by the AZMB staff. If the staff believes there is sufficient evidence to support disciplinary action, they will recommend that the Board vote to issue a formal complaint against the PA.

The PA will then have an opportunity to respond to the complaint, and a hearing will be held before a panel of the Board. If the panel finds that the PA is guilty of misconduct or incompetence, they can issue sanctions against the PA, which can range from a letter of reprimand to revocation of their license.

The licensing process for physician assistants in Arizona

To become licensed as a physician assistant in the state of Arizona, applicants must first complete an accredited Physician Assistant Program and pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE). Applicants must then submit an application to the Arizona Medical Board along with the appropriate fee.

Applicants will be required to have their fingerprints taken as part of a background check. Upon completion of the licensing process, Physician Assistants will be issued a license to practice in the state of Arizona.

The renewal process for physician assistants in Arizona

Renewal for a physician assistant license in Arizona is every two years and occurs on odd-numbered years. The Physician Assistant Board oversees the process and sets the requirements for renewal.

To renew, physician assistants must complete at least 100 hours of continuing medical education (CME) every two years. Of those 100 hours, at least 50 must be earned through Category 1 CME activities as defined by the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA). The other 50 hours can be earned through Category 2 CME activities, which include self-study and other forms of learning activities.

Continuing medical education must be related to the physician assistant’s scope of practice and must be approved by the AAPA or another accredited organization. The Physician Assistant Board may approve up to 25 hours of CME every five years that are outside of the AAPA guidelines if they are deemed to be beneficial to the licensee’s professional development.

In addition to completing CME, physician assistants must also submit a renewal application and fee to the Board. Once those requirements have been met, the Board will issue a new license that will expire two years from the date of issuance.

The continuing education requirements for physician assistants in Arizona

The Arizona Medical Board (AZMB) requires that all licensed physician assistants (PAs) complete a minimum of 50 hours of continuing medical education (CME) every two years in order to maintain their license.

Of the 50 hours required, a maximum of 25 hours may be earned through online/distance learning courses. At least 10 of the 50 hours must be classified as Category 1 courses as defined by the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA). Category 1 CME must be directly related to patient care and/or medical knowledge, and be specific to physician assistant practice.

PAs who are employed by or have an ownership stake in a medical practice are exempt from the continuing education requirements.

The role of the Arizona Medical Board in protecting the public from unlicensed and unqualified physician assistants

The Arizona Medical Board is responsible for protecting the public from unlicensed and unqualified physician assistants. The Board investigates complaints and takes disciplinary action against those who violate the law or engage in unprofessional conduct. The Board also issues licenses to qualified applicants and renews licenses for those who meet the requirements.