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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fourth Legislature, Second Regular Session
AMENDED
podiatry board; licensure; fingerprinting; fees
Purpose
Beginning September 1, 2020, requires applicants for a podiatry license to submit a full set of fingerprints to the Arizona State Board of Podiatry Examiners (Board). Modifies the fees for initial registration and annual renewal of registration to dispense drugs and devises.
Background
Podiatry is synonymous with chiropody and means the diagnosis or medical, surgical, mechanical, manipulative or electrical treatment of ailments of the human foot and leg, but does not include amputation of the leg or entire foot or the administration of an anesthetic other than local (A.R.S. § 32-801).
Established in 1941, the Board is responsible for licensing and regulating doctors of podiatric medicine, evaluating the professional competency of podiatrists seeking to be licensed in Arizona and promoting continued competency by investigating complaints against podiatrists, holding hearings, monitoring the activities of its licensees and enforcing standards of practice for podiatrists (A.R.S. §§ 32-801 and 32-822). Current statute requires that licensure applicants must: 1) be of good moral character; 2) be a graduate of an accredited podiatry school whose standards are recognized by the American Podiatric Medical Association; 3) have the physical and mental capability to engage safely in the practice of podiatry; 4) have a professional record that indicates the applicant has not committed any act or engaged in any conduct that would constitute grounds for disciplinary action against a licensee; 5) have a professional record that indicates the applicant has not had a previous license to practice podiatry refused, revoked, suspended or restricted by any other state, federal jurisdiction or country for reasons that relate to the ability to competently and safely practice podiatry; and 6) have passed a national board written examination (A.R.S. § 32-823).
Current statute requires the Board to establish and collect fees not to exceed: 1) $1,000 for the initial application for licensure; 2) $500 for the application for a license by a podiatrist from another state or country; 3) $500 for issuing a license; 4) $500 for the annual renewal of a license; 5) $50 for certifying a licensed podiatrist to authorities of another state or country; 6) $150 for the late renewal of a license after July 30 through August 31; 7) $200 for the initial registration to dispense drugs and devices; and 8) $100 for the annual renewal of registration to dispense drugs and devices (A.R.S. § 32-830).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires, beginning September 1, 2020, applicants for a podiatry license to submit a full set of fingerprints to the Board for the purpose of obtaining a state and federal criminal records check.
2. Removes the $200 fee for the initial registration to dispense drugs and devices.
3. Removes the $100 fee for the annual renewal of registration to dispense drugs and devices.
4. Includes the initial registration to dispense drugs and devices in the $1,000 fee for the initial application for licensure and the $500 fee for the application for a license by a podiatrist from another state or country.
5. Includes the annual renewal of registration to dispense drugs and devices in the $500 fee for the annual renewal of a license.
6. Expands unprofessional conduct to include failure or refusal to maintain adequate records on a patient who is:
a) at least 18 years old for at least six years, rather than a patient for at least seven years; and
b) under the age of 18 for the later of:
i. three years after the person's 18th birthday; or
ii. six years after the last date the person received medical or health care services from the licensee.
7. Adds the following as unprofessional conduct:
a) impairing the physical or psychological health of individuals who the podiatrist interacts with on a professional basis;
b) engaging in any deliberate act of emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual misconduct or sexual exploitation related to the podiatrist's position as an employer, employee, partner or associate; and
c) discriminating against any employee, partner or associate because of the person's race, religion, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, socioeconomic status or health status.
8. Classifies the following violations as a class 5 felony, rather than a class 2 misdemeanor:
a) practicing, advertising or holding oneself out as practicing or entitled to practice podiatry without having a valid unrevoked license to practice podiatry;
b) using, on a sign or advertisement, specified titles, terms or letters indicating or implying that the person practices podiatry or foot correction, without having a valid unrevoked license to practice podiatry; and
c) violating any other requirement or prohibition prescribed for podiatrists.
9. Allows the Board to establish and collect fees for:
a) duplicate wallet cards;
b) duplicate wall certificates;
c) copying records, documents, letters, minutes, applications, files or policy statements;
d) licensee lists; and
e) audio files.
10. Specifies that the required residency program for licensure to practice podiatry is a 36-month program.
11. Modifies the definition of podiatrist.
12. Makes technical and conforming changes.
13. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Amendments Adopted by Committee
· Specifies that a podiatrist means a person who is licensed to practice podiatry by means of performing full body physical examinations within the profession's scope of practice.
Senate Action
HHS 1/29/20 DPA 7-0-1
Prepared by Senate Research
January 30, 2020
CRS/KS/gs/kja