Arizona § 32-2523 - Licensure; renewal; continuing education; audit; penalty fee; expiration

§ 32-2523. Licensure; renewal; continuing education; audit; penalty fee; expiration

A. Except as provided in section 32-4301, each holder of a regular license shall renew the license every other year on or before the licensee's birthday by paying the prescribed renewal fee and supplying the board with information it deems necessary, including proof of having completed, before the renewal date, forty hours of category I continuing medical education approved by the American academy of physician assistants, the American medical association, the American osteopathic association or any other accrediting organization acceptable to the board.  The board shall verify continuing medical education compliance and shall randomly audit at least ten percent of physician assistants who are renewing their license within the calendar year and who do not hold a current national certification from a national certification organization for physician assistants that is approved by the board.

B. Except as provided in section 32-4301, a holder of a regular license who fails to renew the license within thirty days after the licensee's birthday shall pay a penalty fee as set forth in rule for late renewal.

C. Except as provided in section 32-4301, if a holder of a regular license fails to renew the license within ninety days after the licensee's birthday, the license automatically expires.  It is unlawful for a person to perform health care tasks of a physician assistant after the license expires.

D. A person whose license expires may reapply for licensure pursuant to this chapter.

E. If a licensee does not meet the requirements of subsection A of this section because of that person's illness, religious missionary activity or residence in a foreign country or any other extenuating circumstance, the board may grant an extension of the deadline if it receives a written request to do so from the licensee that details the reasons for this request.

F. The continuing medical education requirement in subsection A of this section is deemed satisfied if, at the time of renewal, the licensee holds a certification in good standing from a certifying body approved by the board.