6551 AMS BECK S6761.1
SB 6551 - S AMD 1110
By Senator Becker
WITHDRAWN 02/18/2020
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
Sec. 1. "RCW 18.71A.020 and 2019 c 55 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) The commission shall adopt rules fixing the qualifications and the educational and training requirements for licensure as a physician assistant or for those enrolled in any physician assistant training program. Physician assistants licensed by the board of medical examiners, or the commission as of July 1, 1999, shall continue to be licensed. The requirements shall include ((completion)):
(a) Completion of an accredited physician assistant training program approved by the commission and within one year successfully take and pass an examination approved by the commission, if the examination tests subjects substantially equivalent to the curriculum of an accredited physician assistant training program. An interim permit may be granted by the department of health for one year provided the applicant meets all other requirements((. Physician assistants licensed by the board of medical examiners, or the commission as of July 1, 1999, shall continue to be licensed.
(2))); or
(b)(i) Graduation from a medical school located outside the United States or Canada;
(ii) Successful passage of all steps of the United States medical licensing examination;
(iii) Certification from the educational commission for foreign medical graduates; and
(iv) Documentation of at least one year of postgraduate work experience as a physician in the country in which the applicant graduated from medical school.
(2) Physician assistants licensed pursuant to subsection (1)(b) of this section may apply for physician licensure pursuant to chapter 18.71 RCW after nine years of practice as a physician assistant if they have completed three years of practice in a primary care setting, three years of practice in a specialty setting, and three years of practice in a hospital setting.
(3) After three years of licensure, the commission may review the license of a physician assistant licensed pursuant to subsection (1)(b) of this section.
(4)(a) The commission shall adopt rules governing the extent to which:
(i) Physician assistant students may practice medicine during training; and
(ii) Physician assistants may practice after successful completion of a physician assistant training course.
(b) Such rules shall provide:
(i) That the practice of a physician assistant shall be limited to the performance of those services for which he or she is trained; and
(ii) That each physician assistant shall practice medicine only under the supervision and control of a physician licensed in this state, but such supervision and control shall not be construed to necessarily require the personal presence of the supervising physician or physicians at the place where services are rendered.
(((3)))(5) Applicants for licensure shall file an application with the commission on a form prepared by the secretary with the approval of the commission, detailing the education, training, and experience of the physician assistant and such other information as the commission may require. The application shall be accompanied by a fee determined by the secretary as provided in RCW 43.70.250 and 43.70.280. A surcharge of fifty dollars per year shall be charged on each license renewal or issuance of a new license to be collected by the department and deposited into the impaired physician account for physician assistant participation in the impaired physician program. Each applicant shall furnish proof satisfactory to the commission of the following:
(a) That the applicant has completed an accredited physician assistant program approved by the commission and is eligible to take the examination approved by the commission or meets the qualifications pursuant to subsection (1)(b) of this section;
(b) That the applicant is of good moral character; and
(c) That the applicant is physically and mentally capable of practicing medicine as a physician assistant with reasonable skill and safety. The commission may require an applicant to submit to such examination or examinations as it deems necessary to determine an applicant's physical or mental capability, or both, to safely practice as a physician assistant.
(((4)))(6)(a) The commission may approve, deny, or take other disciplinary action upon the application for license as provided in the Uniform Disciplinary Act, chapter 18.130 RCW.
(b) The license shall be renewed as determined under RCW 43.70.250 and 43.70.280. The commission shall request licensees to submit information about their current professional practice at the time of license renewal and licensees must provide the information requested. This information may include practice setting, medical specialty, or other relevant data determined by the commission.
(c) The commission may authorize the use of alternative supervisors who are licensed either under chapter 18.57 or 18.71 RCW.
(((5)))(7) All funds in the impaired physician account shall be paid to the contract entity within sixty days of deposit.
Sec. 2. RCW 18.71.051 and 2011 c 138 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
Applicants for licensure to practice medicine who have graduated from a school of medicine located outside of the states, territories, and possessions of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Dominion of Canada, shall file an application for licensure with the commission on a form prepared by the secretary with the approval of the commission. Each applicant shall furnish proof satisfactory to the commission of the following:
(1)(a) That he or she has met the qualifications as established in RCW 18.71A.020; or
(b)(i) That he or she has completed in a school of medicine a resident course of professional instruction equivalent to that required in this chapter for applicants generally;
(((2)(a)))(ii) Except as provided in (b)(iii) of this subsection, that he or she meets all the requirements which must be met by graduates of the United States and Canadian school of medicine except that he or she need not have graduated from a school of medicine approved by the commission;
(((b)))(iii) An applicant for licensure under this section is not required to meet the requirements of RCW 18.71.050(1)(b) if he or she furnishes proof satisfactory to the commission that he or she has:
(((i)))(A)(I) Been admitted as a permanent immigrant to the United States as a person of exceptional ability in sciences pursuant to the rules of the United States department of labor; or
(((B)))(II) Been issued a permanent immigration visa; and
(((ii)))(B) Received multiple sclerosis certified specialist status from the consortium of multiple sclerosis centers; and
(((iii)))(C) Successfully completed at least twenty-four months of training in multiple sclerosis at an educational institution in the United States with an accredited residency program in neurology or rehabilitation;
(((3)))(2) That he or she has satisfactorily passed the examination given by the educational council for foreign medical graduates or has met the requirements in lieu thereof as set forth in rules adopted by the commission;
(((4)))(3) That he or she has the ability to read, write, speak, understand, and be understood in the English language.
Sec. 3. RCW 70.112.090 and 2015 c 252 s 7 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) The advisory board shall consider and provide recommendations on the selection of the areas within the state where affiliate residency programs could exist, the allocation of funds appropriated under this chapter, and the procedures for review and evaluation of the residency programs.
(2) The advisory board shall provide recommendations for the creation of residency positions for those residing in Washington, practicing as physician assistants, and otherwise qualified for residency and the allocation of funds appropriated for this specific purpose.
NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4. RCW 18.71A.045 (Eligibility of foreign medical school graduates) and 1994 sp.s. c 9 s 322 & 1988 c 113 s 2 are each repealed."
SB 6551 - S AMD 1110
By Senator Becker
WITHDRAWN 02/18/2020
On page 1, line 2 of the title, after "system;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "amending RCW 18.71A.020, 18.71.051, and 70.112.090; and repealing RCW 18.71A.045."
EFFECT: Strikes the bill and allows international medical graduates to be licensed as physician assistants and apply for physician licensure after meeting certain requirements. Directs the Medicine Education Advisory Board to make recommendations for the creation of residency positions for international medical graduates.
--- END ---