Sec. 10.32.03.09. Renewal, Reinstatement, Change in Name or Address, and Continuing Education

A. Renewal.

(1) The Board may not renew a license until the Comptroller of Maryland has verified that the individual has paid all undisputed taxes and unemployment insurance contributions, or arranged for repayment, as required by COMAR 10.31.02.

(2) An individual who has been licensed by the Board as a physician assistant may renew the license every 2 years on the date specified by the Board by:

(a) Completing an application on a form approved by the Board;

(b) Paying the required renewal fee as defined in Regulation .16 of this chapter;

(c) Attesting to completion of continuing education activities as specified in §D of this regulation; and

(d) Meeting any additional requirements set by the Board for renewal of a license.

B. Reinstatement. The Board shall reinstate the license of a physician assistant if the physician assistant:

(1) Completes an application on a form approved by the Board;

(2) Pays the required reinstatement fee as defined in Regulation .16 of this chapter;

(3) Submits evidence of completion of continuing education activities as specified in §D of this regulation; and

(4) Meets any additional requirements set by the Board for reinstatement of a license.

C. Change in Name or Address.

(1) A physician assistant shall notify the Board in writing of a change in the physician assistant's name or address within 60 days after the change.

(2) If a physician assistant fails to notify the Board within the time required under §C(1) of this regulation, the physician assistant is subject to an administrative penalty of $100.

D. Continuing Education.

(1) Except as specified in §D(2) of this regulation, in order to renew or reinstate a license under §A or B of this regulation, a physician assistant shall complete at least 50 hours of continuing education consisting of:

(a) At least 8 hours of Category 1 education on pharmacology topics earned during the 2-year period preceding:

(i) For license renewal, the expiration of the physician assistant license; or

(ii) For license reinstatement, the date of the submission of the application for reinstatement; and

(b) In addition to the continuing education hours specified in §D(1)(a) of this regulation, at least 42 hours of Category I continuing education earned during the 2-year period preceding:

(i) For license renewal, the expiration of the physician assistant license; or

(ii) For license reinstatement, the date of the submission of the application for reinstatement.

(2) A physician assistant who is renewing a license as a physician assistant for the first time since either initial licensure or reinstatement of a license:

(a) Shall earn at least 8 hours of Category 1 education on pharmacology topics prior to the expiration of the physician assistant license; and

(b) Is not required to complete any other hours of Category I continuing education prior to the expiration of the physician assistant license.

(3) Documentation of Continuing Education.

(a) A physician assistant shall obtain documentation of attendance at Category I continuing education and retain the documentation for 6 years.

(b) The documentation shall contain, at a minimum, the following information:

(i) Program title;

(ii) Sponsor’s name;

(iii) Physician assistant’s name;

(iv) Inclusive date or dates and location of the program;

(v) Category I designation and the number of continuing education hours earned; and

(vi) Documented verification that the physician assistant attended the program by stamp, signature, printout, or other official proof.

(c) Proof of maintenance of certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants may be used to document compliance with the continuing education requirement.

(4) The Board may request a physician assistant to submit evidence of having met the continuing education requirements specified in this regulation.

(5) If a physician assistant cannot demonstrate completion of the required continuing education credit hours, the Board may impose a civil penalty of up to $100 per missing continuing education credit hour.