2005 Arizona Revised Statutes - Revised Statutes §32-1803  Powers and duties

A. The board shall:

1. Protect the public from unlawful, incompetent, unqualified, impaired and unprofessional practitioners of osteopathic medicine.

2. Conduct examinations for applicants for a license under this chapter, issue licenses, conduct hearings, place physicians on probation, revoke or suspend licenses, enter into stipulated orders, issue letters of concern or decrees of censure and administer and enforce this chapter.

3. Order and evaluate physical, psychological, psychiatric and competency testing of licensed physicians and candidates for licensure as the board determines is necessary to enforce this chapter.

4. Initiate investigations and determine on its own motion if a doctor of osteopathic medicine has engaged in unprofessional conduct or provided incompetent medical care or is mentally or physically unable to engage in the practice of medicine.

5. Enforce, within the osteopathic profession in this state, the standards of practice prescribed by this chapter and the rules adopted by the board pursuant to this chapter.

6. Collect and account for all fees provided for by this chapter and deposit, pursuant to sections 35-146 and 35-147, all monies received in the appropriate fund.

7. Charge additional fees for services that the board deems appropriate to carry out its intent and purpose and that do not exceed the costs of rendering the services.

8. Maintain a record of its acts and proceedings including the issuance, refusal, renewal, suspension or revocation of licenses to practice according to this chapter. The board shall only delete records of complaints as follows:

(a) If the board dismisses a complaint, the board shall delete the public record of the complaint three years after it dismissed the complaint.

(b) If the board has issued a letter of concern but has taken no further action, the board shall delete the public record of the complaint five years after it issued the letter of concern.

9. Maintain a roster of all osteopathic physicians and surgeons who are licensed pursuant to this chapter that includes:

(a) The name of the licensed physician.

(b) The physician's current professional office address.

(c) The date and number of the license issued to the physician pursuant to this chapter.

(d) Whether the license is in good standing.

10. Adopt rules regarding the regulation and the qualifications of medical assistants.

11. Establish a program that is reasonable and necessary to educate physicians regarding the uses and advantages of autologous blood transfusions.

12. Review the credentials and the abilities of an applicant whose professional records or physical or mental capabilities may not meet the requirements for licensure or registration as prescribed in article 2 of this chapter in order for the board to determine if the applicant meets the requirements for licensure or registration pursuant to this chapter.

13. Discipline and rehabilitate osteopathic physicians.

B. The records of the board are open to public inspection at all reasonable times.

C. The board may:

1. Adopt rules necessary or proper for the administration of this chapter.

2. Appoint one of its members to the jurisdiction arbitration panel pursuant to section 32-2907, subsection B.

3. Accept and spend federal monies and private grants, gifts, contributions and devises. These monies do not revert to the state general fund at the end of a fiscal year.

D. The board shall adopt and use a seal, the imprint of which, together with the signature of either the president, vice-president or executive director, is evidence of its official acts.

E. In conducting investigations pursuant to this chapter the board may receive and review confidential internal staff reports relating to complaints and malpractice claims.

F. The board may make available to academic and research organizations public records regarding statistical information on doctors of osteopathic medicine and applicants for licensure.