State Licensing Boards Research Articles

Mandatory Continuing Education: The Future of Occupational Therapy Professional Development?

This literature review and analysis investigates continuing education in a variety of professions. It then examines the need for such legislative requirements in occupational therapy. Although there are some arguments which oppose the existence of mandatory continuing education requirements, they may be overshadowed by the many benefits which can be achieved by this type of decree. Currently, the state licensure board is the only mechanism that mandates continuing education requirements for occupational therapists. However, the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) recently established the National Commission on Continuing Competency in Occupational Therapy. This body is currently developing national standards for continuing competency in occupational therapy. Nonetheless, occupational therapists in states where there are no mandatory continuing education requirements are encouraged to explore the potential benefits of such state regulations, and to work toward their implementation.

Responses of psychologists to complaints filed against them with a state licensing board.

Responses of psychologists to complaints filed against them with a state licensing board.

Responses of psychologists to complaints filed against them with a state licensing board.

Responses of psychologists to complaints filed against them with a state licensing board.

Moral Lessons from the Jury Box

A decade ago a North Carolina jury awarded millions of dollars in damages because of a healthcare institution's failure to provide appropriate pain relief to a dying patient. In 2001, a California jury found a physician guilty of elder abuse for his failure to properly manage the pain of a cancer patient. In both instances, state licensing boards had failed to take any disciplinary action against those involved. These cases dramatically illustrate a significant and persistent gulf between the lay public and the health professions with regard to the moral significance they attach to the duty to relieve suffering. Measures to insure that all patients receive effective assessment and management of their pain must take into account this disparity, and endeavor to achieve congruence by reconnecting the health professions to their ancient and core value--the relief of suffering.

The question of psychologists' maltreatment by state licensing boards: Overcoming denial and seeking remedies.

The question of psychologists' maltreatment by state licensing boards: Overcoming denial and seeking remedies.

The question of psychologists' maltreatment by state licensing boards: Overcoming denial and seeking remedies.

The question of psychologists' maltreatment by state licensing boards: Overcoming denial and seeking remedies.

The next stage-maintenance of certification.

1. Errol Alden, MD* 2. Robert Perelman, MD† 1. 2. *Deputy Executive Director 3. 4. †Director, Department of Education, American Academy of Pediatrics, Elk Grove Village, IL Since 1993, the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) has provided its Program for Renewal of Certification (PRCP) as an at-home, computer-based examination, with an optional written version also available. While praised by some as an examination approach that also fostered learning, the at-home test drew criticism based on perceived and procedural shortcomings. In short, there was no guarantee that the person submitting the completed examination was the person who actually took the test, making some state licensure boards uncomfortable. This was clearly a vulnerability of the take-home examination system. Concerns about public perception …

Counseling Regulations Regarding Sexual Misconduct: A Comparison Across States

Sexual relationships with clients, former clients, and supervisees are some of the most powerful and difficult clinical issues for counselors. These issues force counselors to examine the heart of the therapeutic process: the counseling relationship. The purpose of this study was to gather and analyze different approaches used by state counseling boards to deal with sexual relationships in counseling and supervision. This information affords counselors and state licensure board members a broader view of options and issues involved in this difficult area of ethical decision making.

Impaired Physicians: Is There a Duty to Report to State Licensing Boards?

Impaired Physicians: Is There a Duty to Report to State Licensing Boards?

Impaired Physicians: Is There a Duty to Report to State Licensing Boards?

Impaired Physicians: Is There a Duty to Report to State Licensing Boards?

Marriage and Family Licensure in Illinois: Toward a more Inclusive Approach

The statutes and rules governing state licensing of marriage and family therapists have been criticized recently for excluding many qualified practitioners because the statues and rules were written to reflect clinical membership in the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. In September 1998, the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation published a revised set of rules that were intended to be more inclusive and yet maintain the high standards of the profession. These revised rules directly addressed both the needs of the state and issues raised by the critiques. The purpose of this article is to describe the Illinois rule changes, suggest ways other states can begin the process of change, and invite licensure critics, professional societies, and state licensing board members to engage in conversations about the licensure of marriage and family therapy.

A Note on Licensing and the Market for Real Estate Agents

This study develops and estimates a model of real estate agent demand and supply. The estimates of the model show that the licensing examination pass rate and the educational requirements set by state licensing boards affect the numbers and incomes of real estate agents. The study further shows that the demand for agents is related to economic activity in the housing market and that the supply of agents is very elastic with respect to agent earnings.

Introducing Continuing Medical Education Credit Opportunity to the Readership

I N THIS ERA of an explosion of medical knowledge and its rapid and diverse dissemination, continuing medical education (CME) becomes an absolute necessity. Techniques, medications, and approaches to problems change with regularity. Moore’s Law, which notes that the computing power of silicon chips will double every 18 to 24 months, is but one example of how rapidly technical knowledge is moving. Further, it is apparent that most physicians obtain most of their CME from peer-reviewed journals. However, to meet the requirements of state licensing boards and now the recertification organizations, most practitioners leave their practices for varying periods, pay substantial fees and travel expenses, and return with certificates but often little in the way of positive input into their patient care responsibilities. Even this exercise is becoming more difficult, because the discretionary time of physicians is more limited by the demands of documentation imposed by health care organizations. Thus, as a service to our readers, we are pleased to offer, starting in this issue of the ARCHIVES, an opportunity to earn CME credit under almost ideal circumstances, that is, by reviewing timely, quality, clinically relevant articles at your convenience outside of work and without incurring additional cost. This is free Category I credit (up to 12 hours per year) and documentation is provided to you. All of the details regarding selection of articles, the educational objectives of each selection, and the manner of reader response can be found on pages 109 and 110. We remind you that medical education is a lifelong process, and the objective is continuous improvement of practice skills. With the introduction of this new feature, we are hopeful that we will provide CME that meets most of the criteria important to all practicing surgeons in our readership. We hope you will take advantage of this opportunity.

Paraformaldehyde sterilant use in vocational high school program.

Formaldehyde fumigants are required by many state licensing boards to be used in cosmetology and hair dressing kits to sterilize tools, utensils, combs, and brushes. In vocational training programs, a large number of kits or toolboxes are concentrated in one classroom. This article provides a mathematical exposure model based upon determining the generation rate of formaldehyde vapor, the air exchange rate of the classroom, and the number of fumigant containers. It is determined that in a well-mixed and ventilated classroom with 3.5 air changes per hour, the Threshold Limit Ceiling Value will not be exceeded. Nevertheless, because of uncertainty regarding the concentration and duration of exposure necessary to achieve immune sensitization of students, alternative sterilant methods are preferred. The mathematical model can be used to estimate the airborne concentration of formaldehyde at other vocational, cosmetology, or tonsorial establishments.

Ethical Beliefs of Psychotherapists: Scientific Findings

Psychotherapists from the four primary mental health professions (counselors, psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers) were surveyed regarding the ethicality of 83 psychotherapy-related behaviors. Results indicated a relatively high degree of consensus among psychotherapists of various disciplines regarding their ethical beliefs about the practice of psychotherapy. However, a significant effect for professional group was obtained on ethicality ratings of five psychotherapy behaviors (i.e., unintentionally disclosing confidential information, having clients take tests home, utilizing involuntary hospitalization, addressing a client by his or her first name, and having clients address the therapist by first name) with psychiatrists differing significantly from the other three mental health practitioner groups. The findings from the present study provide a descriptive database to assist practicing psychotherapists, state licensing and ethics boards, and professional organizations in determining what constitutes the ethical practice of psychotherapy.

State regulation of the practice of dentistry

Dentistry in today's world is a highly regulated industry. It is governed primarily by the state, but the federal government also controls certain aspects of a dental practice. This article focuses on the ways in which state government regulates the practice of dentistry. It explains the purpose of a state licensing board, as well as the authority a licensing board derives from state statute--including the authority to take disciplinary action against practitioners who engage in misconduct, and the authority to promulgate rules.

Allegations of sexual misconduct: a risk management perspective.

Increasingly, patients are making complaints to state licensing boards and filing lawsuits against healthcare providers alleging sexual misconduct. This article addresses the risk management implications of patient allegations of sexual misconduct involving inappropriate touching by healthcare providers during an examination or treatment. From a risk management standpoint, techniques can be implemented before and after these incidents that can help reduce the facility's exposure.

Use of National Practitioner Data Bank Disclosure Information for Decision Making

Hospital, state licensing boards, and managed care organizations query the National Practitioner Data Bank to receive malpractice payment and adverse licensure or clinical privileges reports concerning licensed health care practitioners. The results of a national survey of queriers strongly suggest that Data Bank reports impart valuable information that affects licensing and credentialing decisions. Thus, the Data Bank is fulfilling the role lawmakers intended in improving the quality of health care.

Use of National Practitioner Data Bank Disclosure Information for Decision Making

Hospital, state licensing boards, and managed care organizations query the National Practitioner Data Bank to receive malpractice payment and adverse licensure or clinical privileges reports concerning licensed health care practitioners. The results of a national survey of queriers strongly suggest that Data Bank reports impart valuable information that affects licensing and credentialing decisions. Thus, the Data Bank is fulfilling the role lawmakers intended in improving the quality of health care.

Role of state licensing boards.

Some leaders of the profession and its educational components have voiced concern about changes under way in California and questioned whether the state board of podiatric medicine is acting appropriately. The author attempts to clarify the role of state licensing boards, developments in California, and the board's alignment with those calling for state licensing agencies to help lead reform of medical education.