Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia
Department 360 - RULES OF GEORGIA COMPOSITE MEDICAL BOARD
Chapter 360-5 - PHYSICIAN'S ASSISTANTS
Rule 360-5-.02 - Qualifications for Physician Assistant Licensure

Universal Citation: GA Rules and Regs r 360-5-.02

Current through Rules and Regulations filed through March 20, 2024

(1) An applicant for licensure as a physician assistant must show to the satisfaction of the Board the following:

(a) An affidavit that the applicant is a United States citizen, a legal permanent resident of the United States, or that he/she is a qualified alien or non-immigrant under the Federal Immigration and Nationality Act. If the applicant is not a U.S. citizen, he/she must submit documentation that will determine his/her qualified alien status. The Board participates in the DHS-USCIS SAVE (Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements or "SAVE") program for the purpose of verifying citizenship and immigration status information of non-citizens. If the applicant is a qualified alien or non-immigrant under the Federal Immigration and Nationality Act, he/she must provide the alien number issued by the Department of Homeland Security or other federal immigration agency.

(b) Good moral character as demonstrated by two (2) acceptable references from licensed physicians, who are personally acquainted with the applicant. These may not be completed by the physician(s) applying for utilization of the physician assistant.

(c) Evidence of satisfactory completion of a training program approved by the Board. The Board has approved or will approve those physician assistant programs of training offered by accredited colleges or universities, whose graduates are eligible for the examination administered by either the NCCPA or NCCAA or their successors, and whose curriculum consists of two or more academic years, including clinical experience in health care appropriate to the task of a physician assistant.

(d) Evidence that the applicant has achieved a passing score on either:
1. The certification examination administered by the National Commission for Certification of Anesthesiologist Assistants (NCCAA) or its successor, or

2. The certification examination administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) or its successor.

(2) Applications for initial licensure or licensure thereafter as a physician assistant shall be made upon forms supplied by the Board.

(3) The forms must be completed and submitted by the physician assistant along with a recent notarized photograph of the applicant and an application fee. No fee is required if the applicant is an employee of the state or county government.

(4) Applications submitted to the Board must be completed in every detail, unless the response called for is not applicable to the applicant, and, if so, the response shall be made in that manner with accompanying explanation.

(5) All applications for licensure as a physician assistant must be completed and on file with the Board at least (5) days prior to its meeting, in order to be considered by the Physician Assistant Advisory Committee and the Board at the next meeting.

(6) A completed application for licensure may be denied for any of the reasons set forth in O.C.G.A. Section 43-34-8.

(7) The physician assistant must certify that he or she has received, read, and is familiar with the Medical Practice Act, Physician Assistant Act and Board rules and regulations by signing the statement on the application.

(8) Upon receipt of all required documents, the board shall provide notification of approval or disapproval of the physician assistant application for licensure.

(9) An applicant must complete all requirements for licensure within one year from the date the Board receives the application. Otherwise, the applicant must submit a new application with the required fee. This one year requirement does not include references, which are valid for only six months.

(10) Temporary Practice Permits. The Board may issue a temporary permit to any applicant who has otherwise met the requirements for Board licensure and who has either applied to take the next available examination or has already taken the examination and is awaiting the results thereof, with the following conditions:

a. The applicant must request this permit in writing.

b. Unless otherwise approved by the Board for extenuating circumstances, the permit shall be valid for a maximum period of ninety (90) days, but shall expire immediately upon notification of the applicant's failure to achieve a satisfactory score on the approved certification examination required in 360-5-.02(1)(c).

O.C.G.A. Secs. 43-1-25, 43-34-5, 43-34-8, 43-34-102, 43-34-103, 43-34-104, 43-34-108.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Georgia may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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