FL S0774

Adds one physician assistant with prescribing authority to the Board of Medicine (reducing non-healthcare practitioner members from three to two) and to the Board of Osteopathic Medicine (reducing non-healthcare practitioner members from two to one), with changes implemented as vacancies occur.

Replaces the requirement for a Department of Health license to prescribe with a prescriber number system; physician assistants seeking prescriber numbers at initial licensure must submit evidence of completing a pharmacotherapeutics course from an accredited program.

Requires physician assistants applying for prescriber numbers to submit course transcripts and course descriptions in addition to existing licensure application requirements.

Allows physician assistants without prescribing authority to request a prescriber number during biennial license renewal by completing at least 3 classroom hours in continuing medical education covering prescribing limitations, responsibilities, and privileges.

Effective date is July 1, 2012.