AR HB1985

Creates a Physician Assistant Committee within the Arkansas State Medical Board with five members: one board member, one physician appointed by the board, and three physician assistants nominated by the Arkansas Academy of Physician Assistants with at least one supervisor of a physician assistant.

Committee members serve three-year terms with a maximum of two consecutive terms, and vacancies not filled within 45 days are filled by the Governor.

Committee shall meet at least quarterly to review applications for physician assistant licensure, renewal, and prescriptive/dispensing privileges, then recommend approval or disapproval to the State Medical Board.

Committee recommends formulary for prescriptive privileges including Schedules II-V controlled substances and procedures for both physician assistants and supervising physicians to follow.

Physician assistants seeking Schedule II controlled substances prescriptive privileges must submit applications through their supervising physician, include their practice description, and must be certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants with required continuing medical education completed.