Licensing Guide

All Minnesota PAs are receiving their blue renewal postcards in the mail from the Board of Medical Practice.To renew your license by the deadline of June 30 you are instructed to log onto the “Online Services” area of the Board’s web site www.bmp.state.mn.us. This process is different in some respects as a result of MAPA’s bill last year to update the PA practice act (statute 147A).

Fortunately, the licensure fees have not changed from those under the previous system of “registration” of PAs by the Board. You will find that current NCCPA certification now satisfies the Board’s requirement for ongoing CME credits. If you can answer “yes” to the renewal question of whether you are currently NCCPA certified, then you will not need to log CME hours with the Board.

The renewal process reemphasizes the fact that a new Notice of Intent to Practice must be submitted to the Board prior to the effective date of any changes in primary supervising physician, or the delegation of prescribing, administering, or dispensing of prescription drugs, controlled substances, or medical devices. Those of you with existing practice agreements and a stable practice may simply renew. However, you may choose to use MAPA’s sample licensure forms to update your practice agreement from the old Practice Setting Description and Supervisory Agreement forms. The current PA licensure forms are posted on the Board’s web site (www.bmp.state.mn.us), as well as an application packet for new PAs. Click on Licensure and Registration > Forms >Physician Assistant Forms. A sample completed Delegation Agreement and a Intent to Practice form is available here for your review.

The renewal process also includes a reminder to have signed documentation at the practice site to demonstrate that the primary supervising physician has reviewed the Delegation Agreement each year. There is a space on this form for the physician to sign, or you may incorporate such documentation into other practice documents to satisfy the Board’s requirement.

The listing of alternate supervising physicians no longer needs to be submitted to the Board of Medical Practice. The alternate supervisors must be named in the Delegation Agreement or in supporting documents at the practice site, including signed affirmation. A sample form to tally alternates is posted on the MAPA web site. Go to the MAPA home page (www.mnacadpa.org) and click on Professional Practice in the left sidebar. New alternates could sign and date either form as they enter your practice.

Alternatively, an alternate supervising physician might issue a signed letter that could be kept on file at the practice site as supporting documentation. The letter should clearly indicate the acceptance of responsibility using this wording: “I have reviewed and understand the physician-physician assistant Delegation Agreement between the physician assistant and the primary supervising physician named above. When acting as the supervising physician, I agree to adequately supervise and to accept full medical responsibility for medical care rendered by the physician assistant named above.” These supporting documents should be kept on file at the practice site, but do not need to be submitted to the Board.

 MAPA’s Professional Practice team welcomes your questions or suggestions. Please contact Becky Ness or Bev Kimball or office@mnacadpa.org