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Questions and Answers
What is the primary purpose of licensure?
What is required to register for the licensure exam?
Which statement about license portability is true?
How many times can a candidate generally retake the licensure exam?
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After graduating, what is the first step in applying for licensure?
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How frequently does the licensure board typically meet?
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What type of information does the licensure board verify during the application process?
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What is a requirement for maintaining licensure in two different states?
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What is considered unprofessional conduct by a healthcare professional?
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Under what circumstances might a healthcare professional voluntarily surrender their license?
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What action should be taken if a healthcare professional is reported for substance abuse by a coworker?
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What signifies the most serious infraction a healthcare professional can commit?
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What might trigger a grievance against a healthcare professional?
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Which of the following actions can lead to disciplinary action by the licensure board?
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What is required when renewing a healthcare license?
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What consequence follows failing to meet the renewal deadline for a healthcare license?
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What is a potential result of a healthcare professional failing to follow up on patient care?
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What should a healthcare professional do if they receive a complaint from a former spouse?
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What is the primary responsibility of the licensure board?
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How should a healthcare professional proceed if they want to practice in a different state after already obtaining licensure?
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What documentation is required to apply for the licensure exam?
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What happens after a candidate successfully passes the licensure exam?
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What is the maximum number of retakes allowed for the licensure exam in most cases?
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Which of the following is typically NOT required to maintain licensure in two states?
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How often does the licensure board normally meet?
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What identification documents are needed for the licensure exam?
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What action should a healthcare professional take if they receive multiple complaints from patients?
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Which of the following is categorized as unprofessional conduct?
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What is a common consequence for healthcare professionals who voluntarily surrender their license?
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Which situation would most likely require a 'Cease and Desist' order from the licensure board?
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What is the primary concern that drives the licensure board's regulations?
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If a healthcare professional fails to fulfill the required continuing education units (CEUs) before the renewal date, what is the consequence?
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What might be an outcome if a healthcare provider consistently engages in non-therapeutic prescribing?
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In what circumstance would disciplinary action from the licensure board typically not be pursued?
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Which of the following is NOT a category of disciplinary action considered by the licensure board?
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Study Notes
Licensure Application Process
- After completing training, healthcare professionals apply for licensure in the state they wish to work.
- Contact the state's licensure board for specific application instructions.
- Submit applications with detailed education background, clinical training information, health professional school transcripts, a criminal history, and an application fee.
- The licensure board verifies all provided information before approving the application.
- Licensed healthcare professionals are allowed to practice and earn money.
- Once approved, you will receive an official letter allowing you to schedule an exam within two days.
- This allows you approximately one month to prepare for the exam.
Licensure Exam
- Need two forms of valid ID (pictorial and regular) for the exam.
- Exams cover everything from health professional school content to clinical training, patient education, and ethics codes.
- The exam has a PASS/FAIL format, with no grade.
- Some exams have section-based passing scores, while others require an overall passing percentage.
- The exam can be retaken only twice, but some states allow for additional attempts.
- Re-application processes may differ from initial applications.
Purpose of Licensure
- Protects the public from unqualified or unethical healthcare professionals.
Moving to a New State with Licensure
- Contact the licensure board in the new state to initiate "License Portability."
- This process is different from the initial licensure application and may take up to 150 days for verification.
- Apply for licensure in your new state before moving, otherwise, you may face delays in working.
- There will be additional fees associated with the transfer of licensure.
Maintaining Licensure in Multiple States
- Requires maintaining separate requirements for each state.
Licensure Board Composition
- Typically composed of six members.
- Two licensed healthcare professionals.
- Two other healthcare professionals (outside the applicant's field).
- Two members of the general public (patients).
- Members may or may not be paid.
- They meet quarterly and often have expenses covered for their participation.
Licensure Board Staff
- Work full-time and are paid.
- Must have a degree or background in healthcare.
- You contact the board staff to receive applications and verification.
- Staff is also responsible for handling disciplinary actions.
Disciplinary Action
- After gaining licensure, you will receive a copy of the board's rules.
- These can cover various categories, including:
Categories of Disciplinary Action
-
Grievances:
- Patients can file complaints if they feel they received inadequate care or experienced unprofessional behavior.
- Staff investigates complaints and may contact you for clarification.
- Legal care benefits through your professional association are available if disciplinary action is taken.
- Reports can also come from personal connections, such as a former spouse.
- Multiple patient complaints can lead to a board hearing.
-
Unprofessional Conduct:
- Failing to adequately assess patients and obtain informed consent.
- Failing to perform a new patient exam first.
- Inappropriate exposure or behavior during patient care.
-
Non-therapeutic Prescribing:
- Prescribing medication to family or friends without justification, not performing an initial assessment, and lacking proper documentation.
-
Voluntary Surrender:
- Occurs in cases of serious misconduct.
- May involve repeated offenses, lawsuits, or potential for further disciplinary action.
- The healthcare professional voluntarily relinquishes their license to avoid further investigations.
-
Cease and Desist:
- Cases where someone falsely claims to be a licensed professional.
- This may involve renting office space, displaying a plaque, and attempting to obtain payment for services.
-
Peer Review Action:
- Coworkers identify a colleague with a substance abuse issue.
- Patients may also report issues that impact the workplace.
- Peers can report the situation to the licensure board after attempting to help without success.
-
Criminal Activities:
- Charges like rape, murder, or robbery lead to court proceedings.
-
Quality of Care:
- Failing to meet standards of care during procedures or follow-up treatment.
- This includes situations where objects are left inside the body, or patients experience worsening conditions after treatment.
-
Revocation of License:
- Most serious disciplinary action.
- The board deems the healthcare professional unsafe to treat patients after repeated offenses.
Penalties for Disciplinary Action
- Continuing Education:
- Required to complete specific hours in areas related to the misconduct.
- Fines:
- Monitary penalties imposed by the board.
- Other Penalties:
- Restrictions on practice, such as limitations on specific procedures or patient types.
- Unrestricted Licenses:
- May have permanent documentation about limitations or requirements to protect patients.
Board Job: CEU Requirements and Renewal
- Determine mandatory Continuing Education Unit (CEU) requirements needed to renew a license each year.
- These requirements typically increase over time.
- Licensure renewal occurs every two years, before the last day of your birth month.
- Required to maintain a record of all CEUs earned, keeping certificates as proof.
- Boards send reminders as a courtesy but ultimately responsibility lies with the healthcare professionals.
- Fees are determined by the board (approximately $300) and may result in late fees if not submitted on time.
Fingerprinting
- May be required for renewal and licensure to ensure proper identification.
- Similar to FBI fingerprints (10 digits, rolling type).
After Renewal
- After successful renewal, the board sends a new license card.
- This should be provided to your employer's Human Resources department.
- Ensure accurate information as discrepancies can cause issues with Joint Commission (JCAHO) or payment processing..
CEU Information
- National conferences are generally applicable for all states.
- State conferences are only valid in the state of licensure.
- Contact the state licensure board before attending out-of-state conferences to determine if CEUs will be accepted.
Licensure
- Required to work as a healthcare professional and get paid
- Protects the public
- Applied for after program and clinical training completion
- Apply for the state you want to work in, even if your training was in a different state
- Can take anywhere from a few days to 2 months to get approved
- Once approved, receive official letter, and have to take an exam
- Must also be renewed every 2 years
- Can be revoked for multiple infractions
Licensure Board
- Composed of 6 members:
- 2 licensed healthcare professionals
- 2 other healthcare professionals
- 2 members of the general public
- Meet 4 times per year
- Expenses are covered
- Have full time staff with healthcare background
- Responsible for:
- Handling applications
- Disciplinary action
- Determining necessary CEU credits for renewal
The Licensure Exam
- Requires two forms of ID
- Covers all aspects of health professional school, clinical training, patient education, and ethics codes
- Pass/Fail, no grade
- May be section based or overall percentage
- Can be retaken twice, though some states allow more attempts or less
### Licensing Portability
- Must contact the new state's licensure board if moving states
- Need "license portability"
- Different application process than for new grads
- Takes 150 days to complete the verification process
Maintaining Dual Licensure
- Requires meeting all requirements for both states
- Fees for both licenses must be kept up-to-date
### Disciplinary Action
- Licensure board oversees complaints against licensees
- Staff investigate complaints
- Categories:
- Unprofessional Conduct: failing to assess patients, get informed consent, conduct new patient exams, inappropriate exposure or behavior
- Non-Therapeutic Prescribing: prescribing to family or friends without justification, lack of charting or assessment
- Voluntary Surrender: healthcare professionals voluntarily surrender license to avoid further discipline, often related to serious conduct
- Cease and Desist: fraud by impersonating healthcare professionals
- Peer Review Action: concerns about a healthcare professional's substance abuse
- Criminal Activities: rape, murder, robbery
- Quality of Care: failing to meet standards of care and follow up care
-
Revocation of License: most serious, the board deems the professional unsafe to treat patients
- Possible board actions include: Continuing Education (CE)
- Fines and other penalties
- Restrictions on practice
Licensure Renewal
- Every 2 years, before the last day of birth month
- Requires:
- CEU credits
- Renewal fee
- Fingerprints (may vary by state)
- Late renewals come with fines
### CEU Credits
- Determined by the board
- Required to renew license
- Increase in number required over time
- Can be earned at:
- National conferences
- State conferences (check with board)
- Track self
- Board only sends a reminder postcard
- Keep certificates of completion
### Important Notes
- Contact the licensure board for your state after graduating
- Have legal care benefits available for complaints
- Inform the new state licensure board if moving states
- Keep a new copy of your license from the board after renewal
- HR departments may request a copy of your license
- It is important to track your CEU credits
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Description
This quiz covers the essential steps and requirements for the healthcare licensure application process. It includes details about the application submission, verification by the licensure board, and the subsequent exam preparation. Test your knowledge on the documentation needed and the examination format.