SCS/SB 234 - This act allow the Board of Healing Arts to accept the Canadian Licensing Examination as an equivalent to the United States Medical Licensing Examination.

The Board would be given the authority to grant a temporary license to applicants applying for a permanent license on the basis of reciprocity of another state license. The temporary license shall only be issued upon the Board's receipt of such documentary assurance to demonstrate that the applicant will fulfill the actual requirements of Section 334.043. The temporary license will expire 30 days from issuance or upon the issuance of a permanent license, whichever occurs earlier. The temporary license may be renewed for an additional 30 days if necessary.

The act would also expand current statutory language to allow temporary licenses to be issued to physicians teaching or lecturing in non-teaching hospitals that are accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation on Health Care Organization or the American Osteopathic Association.

The act also provides the Board with an alternative to either refusing the issuance of or the renewal of a certificate of registration or authority, permit or license by subjecting such issuance or renewal to probation, restriction or limitations.

The grounds for which Board may refuse to register, suspend or revoke an Athletic Trainer's registration is also specified in the act.

The act clarifies the definition of a physician assistant and specifies the education qualifications for a physician assistant.

CHERYL GRAZIER