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Missouri bill could create guidelines for professional regulation

A bill passed in the Missouri House and now referred to committee in the Senate would establish "guidelines for the regulation of occupations and professions not regulated prior to January 1, 2018 and those occupations and professions regulated prior top January 1, 2018 that seek to substantially increase their scope." Criteria to establish regulation include significant harm from unregulated practice, public need for an assurance of initial qualifications, general welfare cannot be protected by other means. The bill lists out options for the least restrictive type of regulation. The bill would also create a Division of Professional Registration to be headed by a director appointed by the governor, who would be responsible for financial management and all collecting and accounting for moneys related to the issuance and renewal of licenses.

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Two Oregon state boards could merge

The Oregon Board of Psychology and the Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists would merge staffs if the governor's proposed budget is approved. The proposed budget is a 21% increase from the 2015-2017 budgets for both boards and also includes an upgrade to the online database system and an additional two staff members. Under the merger, both boards would keep separate funding streams and expenditures. The merger would allow additional staff to be assigned to licensing issues and complaint handling for the growing number of licensees. Another part of the proposal is a $40 increase in licensure renewal fees for counselors and therapists, fees which have not been increased since 2002.

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Iowa considers bill for professional licensing task force

HSB 174 in Iowa would create a professional licensing task force to "review the requirements for each professional license in the state and make recommendations regarding each profession that is subject to state licensure requirements with the goals of protecting public health and safety, removing barriers to practice, streamlining application processes, reducing the size, scope, and cost of government, and reducing licensing fees.” Task force members would include legislators and three public members with professional licenses to be appointed by the Governor, as well as seeking input from members of each licensed profession and the corresponding professional associations.

The bill would also establish that "an executive branch administrative unit shall not assess a fee, require authorization to practice, or otherwise impose regulations on a profession if the administrative unit did not regulate the profession prior to July 1, 2017."

The bill also includes repeal of the Interior Design Examining Board, as well as changing the Electrical Examining Board to an advisory council under the Department of Public Safety and shifting regulatory authority over electricians accordingly.

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Israel: crane operator license forgeries

According to a report, over 540 of Israel's 2,700 crane operators are working under forged licenses. The Transportation Ministry is responsible for issuing crane operator licenses and, since 2012, has been considering a revised version of the license to make it more difficult to forge. Proposals have included adding a magnetic strip on the license or adding operators' photos, but no action has been taken to implement the revisions. Over the past several years, there had been debate between the Transportation Ministry and the Labor Ministry over which department has authority and responsibility for crane operator licensing.

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North Carolina considers scope of practice legislation

HB88, known as the Modernize Nursing Practice Act, is under consideration with the North Carolina House Health Committee. The bill would allow Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists to select, order and administer anesthesia without a supervision agreement with a physician. Julie George, director of the North Carolina Board of Nursing, has indicated support of the bill and noted that studies about nurses administering anesthesia have shown no reduction in patient outcomes.

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The Enact Enhanced Access to Eye Care Act would remove the term "surgery" as outside the scope of practice of optometry, to allow the expansion of optometrist scope of practice to include in-office laser procedures that do not require general anesthesia. In North Carolina, optometrists have office locations in 98 out of 100 counties, while ophthalmologists have practice locations in only 60 of 100 counties. Supporters of the bill note that it would increase access to eye care. If the bill is enacted, the North Carolina Board of Optometry could establish a credentialing process, such as a proctoring process by practitioners experienced in the procedures. The credentialing process would only be required for optometrists who want to perform the procedures in their practice.

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Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact adopted by states

Utah has become the eleventh state to join the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC). As soon as 26 states enact the eNLC, or by December 31, 2018, it will come into effect. The eNLC includes updates to the current NLC to allow Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses to practice in any NLC state with one multistate license. Under the eNLC, licensing standards are aligned in all states, including a federal and state criminal background check. The eNLC also allows for telehealth nursing services. States where the eNLC is already adopted are Arizona, Florida, Idaho, Missouri, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia and Wyoming.

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Update: criminal background checks in Colorado

HB 17-1121, which would require fingerprint-based criminal background checks for licensed health care professionals, has now passed the House Health, Insurance and Environment Committee and the House Finance Committee. The bill is expected to head to the Senate.

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North Carolina considers greater restrictions on opioid prescriptions

A drug-control bill proposed in North Carolina would put tighter restrictions on medical providers who prescribe or dispense pain medications and opioid drugs. Physicians would be required to check the state's controlled substance database system before issuing such prescriptions. Pharmacists would be required to report controlled substance transactions to the system within 24 hours. Prescriptions would be limited to a 5-day supply.

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California considers athletic trainer regulation

California, the only US state to not require licensure or regulation of athletic trainers, is now considering legislation to introduce regulation. Athletic trainers would be licensed by the occupational therapy oversight board, which would also have disciplinary authority. Without regulation in place, many school districts do not require specific training or education for athletic trainers, rather relying on coaches or teachers to serve in the role. Supporters of the bill note the significant risk of further injury and harm with unqualified employees working as athletic trainers, as well as the lack of a mechanism for parents and athletes to know whether their school's athletic trainers are qualified.

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US Sports Medicine Licensure Clarity Act

A bill passed in the US House would clarify that physicians, athletic trainers and other sports medicine professionals licensed in one state would be considered to satisfy licensure requirements of another state when traveling with high school, college or professionals teams. Supporters of the bill note the importance of athletes being treated by their own doctors who know their medical history. The National Athletic Trainers' Association, American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons have supported the bill, which now goes to the Senate.

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