Arizona Board of Physician Assistants Appeals: PA Board Defense for an Arizona Physician Assistants

It’s always disappointing when a physician assistants receives an unfavorable decision from the Arizona Board of Physician Assistants (“ABPA“). However, physician assistants in Arizona can benefit from understanding the process that goes along with Board appeals and hearings after a case is heard by the Board. If you are facing an unfavorable ABPA outcome due to an offered disciplinary action, you can always appeal the decision and request an administrative hearing before the Office of Administrative Hearings.

Filing an Appeal after a Board of Physician Assistants Meeting

The investigatory process and the appeal process work like this: Once the Board receives a complaint or self-report they will then initiate an investigation into the Arizona physician assistant license. The purpose of this investigation is to give the ABPA evidence to make a decision on whether or not a physician assistant should face disciplinary action. If the physician assistant receives an unfavorable formal disciplinary decision, it is at this point, they can then file an appeal and request a hearing with the Arizona Office of Administrative Hearing. An Administrative Law Judge will then oversee the appeal and the physician assistant may need to attend a hearing. However, sometimes the investigation is automatically sent to hearing or an informal settlement conference can be held (if requested).

Arizona PA Administrative Appeal and Hearing

Any physician assistant licensee may request a legal appeal of Board discipline to an administrative law judge with the Arizona Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) which is located in Phoenix. In some instances, a case is sent automatically to OAH. The Arizona’s OAH hearing is conducted before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). The administrative process is not as formal as a trial, but is similar. Each party presents evidence using documents or sworn testimony. Each party also gives an opening and closing argument which should explain why the judge should rule one way or the other. A physician assistant’s attorney can cross examine witnesses and testify on his or her behalf. After it is completed, the ALJ reviews the transcripts, evidence and makes a recommendation. However, the Board makes the decision to either accept, reject or modify the ALJ’s decision. If an individuals feels there has been a mistake they can request a rehearing by appealing the decision by the department.

Criminal Information Reporting Requirements for a Physician Assistant

A.R.S. 32-3208 requires that physician assistant licensees and applicants for a physician assistant license must report misdemeanor criminal charges involving conduct that may affect patient safety or a felony to the Board within 10 working days after the charge is filed. A working day would be considered Monday through Friday. Failure to report a reportable criminal charge within 10 business days is a violation of the Arizona statutes.

What Current and Past Crimes Must Be Reported?

Arizona Board of Physician Assistants Criminal Reporting requirements hold that a felony must be reported within 10 days of being charged. The following types of misdemeanor or other criminal histories are crimes that have been determined by the Board to be reportable pursuant to Arizona Revised Statutes § 32-3208:

Assault and Related Offenses
Theft and Related Offenses
Fraud, Deceit and Related Offenses
Abuse, Neglect, Exploitation of a Child or Vulnerable Adult and Related Offenses
Sexual and Related Offenses
Drug and/or Alcohol Related Offenses
Arson and Related Offenses
Animal Abuse, Cruelty and Related Offenses

Failure to report a reportable criminal charge within 10 business days is a violation of the Arizona Medical Practice Act and could result in disciplinary action which could result in Board Probation.

DUI Criminal History

Physician Assistants who contact our office frequently ask our attorney’s if state law allows a physician assistant with a DUI crime or conviction to get a license with the Board? The short answer is yes. An Arizona Physician Assistant DUI will not necessarily prevent a physician assistant from obtaining a license or a career in the health field. However, the Board (which handles all complaints) has a public policy (updated as of September 2020) on their website which covers the details of what circumstances physician assistant with a case that resulted in a felony DUI criminal conviction can get a license.

Physician Assistant License Criminal Consequences

This specific policy does not apply to criminal conduct involving misdemeanor DUI charges or convictions. Once a physician assistant applies for a license to practice to the Board, they need to disclose any felony DUI criminal court convictions (from previous years) on their application. A physician assistant must report a felony DUI no matter how much time or how many years have passed since the time of the conviction or case. The AZ Board may also ask about past DUI misdemeanor criminal charges or cases that resulted in a conviction. This is done to ensure a physician assistant can perform safe patient care and can have safe direct contact with patients or other providers.

Disclosing a Criminal Record for a Professional Applicant

If a physician assistant license applicant is not required to disclose a legal misdemeanor DUI, the AZ Board can still initiate an investigation based upon the results of a health care fingerprint background check. The Board will then contact the professional and initiate an investigation in their practice utilizing the law of the Arizona Medical Practice Act (current as of October 2020). This license investigation determines whether the physician assistant is a danger to the public, has any medical or mental health problems and whether the physician assistant has rehabilitated in the time since the criminal misdemeanor DUI or DUI charges occurred. Simply, the Board wants to know whether the applicant can provide safe care with a past criminal case involving alcohol or substance abuse.

Medical License Attorney

The attorney’s at Chelle Law assist nurses with interpreting Board policy (which is generally on the Board website). Our attorney’s help the healthcare workers and nurses with their application to show the Board the professional isn’t a danger to the health, safety and welfare of the public and is able to provide safe patient care.

If you’re interested in learning more about our Arizona Board of Physician Assistants Attorney services and how to protect your license, set up a consultation with Chelle Law today.

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