CLEAR

France-Quebec Agreement on mutual recognition of professional qualifications

An English translation of the newly-signed France-Quebec agreement on the mutual recognition of professional qualifications is now available.  The document further clarifies the scope of the agreement and identifies the next steps in its implementation. Ultimately, more than 100 Mutual Recognition Agreements are expected to be signed between France and Quebec in the next two years, to cover regulated professions and occupations.

The Audit Industry: World's Weakest Oligarchy?

A recent report from the American Antitrust Institute asks whether the Audit Industry should be considered the world's weakest oligarchy. In light of recent economic and regulatory developments, the report considers existing barriers to further competition in the sector, as well as highlighting historical anti-competitive practices.

Read the report.

US: report on auditing profession

The Final Report of the Advisory Committee on the Auditing Profession to the U.S. Department of the Treasury is the first major study of the U.S. auditing profession since enactment of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Its recommendations include encouraging the states to substantially adopt the mobility provisions of the Uniform Accountancy Act, updating accounting certification examinations to reflect practice in global capital markets, and requiring regular and formal roundtable meetings of regulators and other governmental enforcement bodies.

UK: patient records standards established

The Royal College of Physicians and the National Health Service Connecting for Health, with  agreement from the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, have developed standards for patient  records during hospital stays. The prototype standards were piloted in hospitals and sent out for consultation to patients, professionals, and other medical Royal Colleges and specialty societies. Read more.

Alabama: new sunset reports

The State of Alabama Department of Examiners of Public Accounts has issued reports to the state Sunset Committee on six licensing boards:

Board of Athletic Trainers

Board of Instrument Hearing Dealers

Board of Registration for Interior Design

Board of Examiners of Nursing Home Administrators

Board of Podiatry

Real Estate Appraisers Board

Maryland: DOPL audit report

The Department of Legislative Services has released an audit report for the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL) of the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation for the period beginning October 1, 2004 and ending August 31, 2007. The report recommends improvements in internal controls for the boards tested and points out that DOPL does not require the Elevator Safety Review Board to license and regulate elevator mechanics and contractors, as required by a 2001 law. DOPL responded that funding for that process was not approved until FY2009. Read the report.

Arizona: podiatry board review

A Performance Audit and Sunset Review of the Board of Podiatry Examiners recommends that the board improve its processes for complaint-handling and providing public information,including the creation of a database detailing licensee complaint and disciplinary history. Read the report.

Colorado: sunset review - psychiatric technicians

2008 Sunset Review: Psychiatric Technician Licensure Program recommends continuing the regulation of psychiatric technicians until 2014, then allowing the regulation to repeal automatically. The practice of psychiatric technicians in the United States is widespread, but still licensed only in California and Colorado. The review suggests that the only aspect of practice requiring regulation is medication administration which could be established using other regulatory mechanisms.

Colorado: sunset reviews - nurses, nurse aides, nursing home administrators

2008 Sunset Review: Colorado Board of Nursing recommends continuing the Board of Nursing and the regulation of registered nurses and licensed practical nurses for 11 years, until 2020.
2008 Sunset Review: Colorado Nurse Aide Certification Program recommends continuing the regulation of certified nurse aides (CNAs) for 11 years, until 2020, and promulgating rules establishing educational requirements and scope of practice for CNAs with Medication Aide Authority.
2008 Sunset Review: Colorado Board of Examiners of Nursing Home Administrators recommends continuing the regulation of nursing home administrators and the board for nine years, until 2018.

Colorado: sunset review - chiropractors

2008 Sunset Review: Colorado State Board of Chiropractic Examiners recommends continuing the board and the regulation of chiropractors for 11 years, until 2020, and adding failure to respond to a board-generated complaint letter as grounds for discipline.