Arkansas State Medical Board

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Frequently Asked Questions

For the Practitioner . . .

Physician Assistant

Question:
How do I get a copy of my license registration card (wallet card)?
Answer:
There is an opportunity to print your license registration card (wallet card) by logging into your online renewal account at www.armedicalboard.org. Once you have logged into you online account, the opportunity to print the document is available at any time. It would be found under the Free Online Services, click on License (Wallet Card). Being that the license renewal process is available strictly online, the registration cards (wallet cards) are no longer provided by mail. If you have issues printing your license registration card (wallet card), please contact our support department at 501-603-3559 or support@armedicalboard.org.

Question:
Can I get a list of active MD's, DO's, PA's, RA's, etc. for a mailing list?
Answer:
Yes, you may register to purchase a mailing list at www.armedicalboard.org. You will then receive a link on the website to download the report. Once you access the link, it is suggested that you save the report to your computer as it will expire within 24 hours.

Question:
How do I change my name?
Answer:
Submit a copy of the legal documentation (i.e. marriage license, divorce decree, etc.) and include a signed and dated request that indicates you wish to make a name change. Be sure to include your license number and your name that is currently on your license. Fax to 501-296-1972 or email to support@armedicalboard.org (Adobe PDF ONLY). Once the name change request has been processed, you may print a new license registration card (wallet card) by logging into your online renewal account.

Question:
How do I change my address?
Answer:
You may change your address information, phone numbers or email address by downloading the Change of address form at www.armedicalboard.org. The completed form may be faxed, emailed (pdf only) or mailed. For licensee's, you may change your address information by signing into your online renewal account. You will receive an automated email once the address has been updated. You may print a new license registration card (wallet card) by logging into your online renewal account.

Question:
Does ASMB require a criminal background check when applying for licensure?
Answer:
Yes. Once the application for license has been received in this office, the applicant will be sent a packet (to their private address) with the fingerprint card and the instructions. This will not be sent until the application has been received. Reference A.C.A. 17-95-306 in the Arkansas Medical Practices Acts & Regulations.

Question:
Can a Physician Assistant take x-rays in a primary care facility without an x-ray license?
Answer:
If the Supervising Physician delegates that responsibility to the Physician Assistant, the Physician Assistant must be certified as an LLRT (Limited Licensed Radiologic Technologist). The Arkansas Department of Health will have the information to be certified.

Question:
Are Physician Assistants who work in the VA system required to have an Arkansas license?
Answer:
From the Medical Board's point of view, Physician Assistants in the VA system are exempt from licensure. However, if the Physician Assistant wants to work outside the VA system, they will need to obtain an Arkansas license and will need to be supervised by an Arkansas licensed physician with approval by the Board. Reference A.C.A. 17-105-106 in the Arkansas Medical Practices Acts & Regulations.

Question:
Can a Physician Assistant cover a rural ED without MD/DO direct supervision?
Answer:
A Physician Assistant is a dependent medical practitioner who provides health care services under the supervision of a physician and works under a physician drafted protocol approved by the ASMB. Supervision means overseeing the activities of and accepting responsibility for the medical services rendered by the Physician Assistant. The Supervising Physician must be available for immediate telephone contact anytime the Physician Assistant is rendering services to the public. Reference Regulation 24 in the Arkansas Medical Practices Acts & Regulations.

Question:
How long does the licensure process take for a Physician Assistant license?
Answer:
The application processing time frame is based on the needs of each applicant’s file and how quickly the needs of the file are satisfied. Each file is processed in the order in which it is received. The more proactive, interactive and reactive the applicant is during the licensure process, the quicker the file can be completed.

Question:
What is the time factor in applying for a temporary permit for Physician Assistants?
Answer:
Note that a temporary or permanent license, if approved, will not be issued until the file has completed the entire licensure process. The licensure process is dependent upon the needs of the file. The more proactive, interactive and reactive the applicant is during the licensure process, the quicker the file can be completed. Once a file is complete, the temporary permit requests are submitted to Executive Review every Thursday and applicants are notified of the determination on Friday of that same week. A temporary permit allows the Physician Assistant the opportunity to begin working while waiting for an appearance before the PA Committee. The PA is to operate under the example protocol until an appearance is made and the proposed protocol is approved.

Question:
How many CME’s are required for Physician Assistants?
Answer:
20 hours per renewal period. Reference Rule 24 in the Arkansas Medical Practices Acts & Regulations. CME hours must be from birth month of previous year through birth month of current year. CME hours do not have to be a particular category. Random audits are performed monthly. If audited, certificates of CME completion are required to be submitted.

Question:
What is the procedure for adding a Back-up Supervising Physician?
Answer:
Arkansas Act 634 streamlined the notification process. In order to make changes to supervising physician authority (adding a Supervising Physician or Back-up Supervising Physician), the following documents are required to be submitted:

1. A signed Delegation Agreement (as referenced in the application)

The Board approved Delegation Agreement is found on the Arkansas State Medical Board website (www.armedicalboard.org) inside the “For the Practitioner” and the “Physician Assistant” tabs (you will see it individually under “Licensee”). This is an “editable” version of the Board approved Delegation Agreement available for use as a template to create your Delegation Agreement. You are required to keep a copy of your submitted and approved delegation agreement at the practice site.

Question:
When are appearances before the Physician Assistant Committee required?
Answer:
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the policy that an appearance before the Physician Assistant Committee would be required in the instances where one or both of the practitioners has been followed by the Board for any reason.

Question:
I work in the Emergency Room and have many doctors that I will work with. Do I have to list them all?
Answer:
Any physician that you might possibly be working under should be listed on your Delegation Agreement and submitted to the ASMB for placement in your electronic file, as they are responsible for the actions of the physician assistant.

Question:
Are there any special considerations for military service members?
Answer:
The Arkansas State Medical Board will escalate the license applications of current and former military service members, and their spouses per A.C.A. 17-1-106. Active Duty Service Members licensure, certification, or permitting of spouses of active duty service members. License renewal fees are waived for all active duty military service members.

Question:
Is there a limit to the number of PA’s a Supervising Physician can supervise at one time?
Answer:
It is the policy of the Board that a Supervising Physician may have authority over multiple Physician Assistants, however they may only provide direct supervision for up to three (3) Physician Assistants at one time.

Question:
What paperwork is required when changing jobs and/or Supervising Physicians?
Answer:
Arkansas Act 634 streamlined the notification process. In order to make changes to supervising physician authority (adding a Supervising Physician or Back-up Supervising Physician), the following documents are required to be submitted:

1. A signed Delegation Agreement (as referenced in the application)

The Board approved Delegation Agreement is found on the Arkansas State Medical Board website (www.armedicalboard.org) inside the “For the Practitioner” and the “Physician Assistant” tabs (you will see it individually under “Licensee”). This is an “editable” version of the Board approved Delegation Agreement available for use as a template to create your Delegation Agreement. You are required to keep a copy of your submitted and approved delegation agreement at the practice site.

If you are removing supervision, you will simply send an email to licensemonitor@armedicalboard.org with the pertinent information (name of practioner you are removing and the termination date).