CHAPTER PA 1 AUTHORITY AND DEFINITIONS
PA 1.01 Authority. The rules in chapters PA 1 to 4 are adopted by the Physician Assistant Affiliated Credentialing Board pursuant to the authority delegated by ss. 15.085 (5) (b) and 448.973 (1), stats.
PA 1.02 Definitions. As used in chapters PA 1 to 4:
(1)
“Alternate Collaborator” means a physician or physician assistant who is designated temporary duties of collaboration by the collaborating physician when the collaborating physician is temporarily unavailable.(2)
“Board” means the Physician Assistant Affiliated Credentialing Board.(3)
“DEA” means the United States Drug Enforcement Administration.(4)
“Department” means the Department of Safety and Professional Services(5)
“Educational Program” means a program for educating and preparing physician assistants which is approved by the board.(6)
“Physician” has the meaning given in s. 448.01 (5), stats.(7)
“Physician Assistant” means a person licensed under s. 448.974, stats.(8)
“Physician Associate” is analogous to and has the same meaning as “physician assistant”.(9)
“Podiatry” or “Podiatric Medicine and Surgery” has the meaning given in s. 448.60 (4), stats.(10)
“Podiatrist” has the meaning given in s. 448.60 (3), stats.CHAPTER PA 2
LICENSE TO PRACTICE AS A PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT
PA 2.01 Initial Licensure. Except as provided under sub. (3), the board shall grant an initial license to practice as a physician assistant to any applicant who has been found qualified by three-fourths of the members of the Board and satisfies all of the following requirements, as determined by the board:
(1)
The applicant shall submit all of the following:(a)
A completed application form.Note: Application forms are available from the department of safety and professional services’ website at http://dsps.wi.gov. (b)
The fee determined by the Department under s. 448.07 (2), stats.(c)
Verified evidence of graduation from an educational program approved under PA 2.02.(d)
Evidence of having successfully passed the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) Certification Examination or an equivalent national examination approved by the board.(e)
A listing of all employers, practice settings, internships, residencies, fellowships, and other employment for the past 7 years.(2)
Subject to ss. 111.321, 111.322, and 111.335, stats., the applicant does not have an arrest or conviction record.(3)
Subsection (1) (c) of this section does not apply to an applicant who provides evidence that the applicant is a licensed physician assistant or physician associate in another state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States and the board determines that the requirements for obtaining the license in that state or territory are substantially equivalent to the requirements under sub. (1) (c) of this section.
(4)
The board may require an applicant to complete a personal appearance for purposes of an interview, or review of credentials, or both. An applicant’s performance at a personal appearance is satisfactory if the applicant establishes to the board’s satisfaction that the applicant has met requirements for licensure and is minimally competent to practice as a physician assistant.(5)
Notwithstanding sub. (1) of this section, an individual who, as of April 1, 2022, was licensed by the medical examining board as a physician assistant under subchapter II of chapter 448, 2017 stats., shall be considered to have been licensed as a physician assistant for the purposes of these rules, and, upon the license’s expiration, shall renew in accordance with the provisions of PA 2.04.(6)
If any of the documents required under this chapter are in a language other than English, the applicant shall also submit a verified English translation and the cost of that translation shall be borne by the applicant.(7)
An applicant who fails to receive a passing score on the examination required under subsection (1) (d) may reapply by payment of the fee specified in subsection (1) (b). An applicant may reapply twice at not less than 4-month intervals. If an applicant fails the examination 3 times, he or she may not be admitted to an examination unless the applicant submits proof of having completed further professional training or education as the board may prescribe.PA 2.02 Education Program Approval. The board shall approve only education programs for physician assistants or physician associates that are accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant or its successor, or, prior to 2001, by the Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation or the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. If the applicant does not satisfy this requirement, the applicant may show that, prior to January 1, 1986, the applicant successfully passed the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.
PA 2.03 Oral Interviews and Personal Appearances. (1) Each applicant shall complete an oral interview or personal appearance before the board, if any of the following circumstances apply:
(f)
Has a medical condition which in any way impairs or limits the applicant’s ability to practice as a physician assistant with reasonable skill and safety.(g)
Uses chemical substances that impair in any way the applicant’s ability to practice as a physician assistant with reasonable skill and safety.(h)
Has been disciplined or had certification denied by a licensing or regulatory authority in Wisconsin or another jurisdiction.(i)
Has been convicted of a crime, the circumstances of which substantially relate to the practice of physician assistants.(j)
Has not practiced as a physician assistant for a period of 3 years prior to application, unless the applicant has graduated from an approved educational program in the last 3 years under PA 2.02.(k)
Has been found to have been negligent in the practice as a physician assistant or has been a party in a lawsuit in which it was alleged that the applicant has been negligent in the practice of medicine.(l)
Has been diagnosed with any condition that may create a risk of harm to a patient or the public.(m)
Has within the last 2 years engaged in the illegal use of controlled substances.(n)
Has been subject to adverse formal action during the course of physician assistant education, postgraduate training, hospital practice, or other physician assistant employment.(2)
An application filed under this chapter shall be reviewed by an application review panel, designated by the chairperson of the board, to determine whether an applicant is required to complete an oral interview or a personal appearance or both under sub. (1) of this section. If the application review panel is not able to reach unanimous agreement on whether an applicant is eligible for licensure without completing an oral interview or a personal appearance or both, the application shall be referred to the board for a final determination.(3)
The board shall notify each applicant requiring an oral interview or appearance of the time and place scheduled for that applicant’s interview or appearance.(4)
Otherwise qualified applicants with disabilities, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, shall be provided with reasonable accommodations.PA 2.04 License Renewal. (1) Each licensee shall renew their license biennially. The renewal date and fee are specified by s. 440.08 (2) (a) and s. 440.03 (9) (a), Stats. (2) Every even-numbered year, each licensee shall complete a renewal application and return it with the required fee prior to March 1 of that year.
Note: Instructions for renewal applications can be found on the department of safety and professional services’ website at http://dsps.wi.gov. PA 2.05 Reinstatement. (1) A licensee who fails for any reason to be licensed as required under this chapter shall not exercise the rights or privileges conferred by any license granted by the board.
(2)
Failure to renew a license as specified in s. 440.08 (2) (a), stats. shall cause the license to lapse. A licensee who allows the license to lapse may apply for reinstatement of the license by the board, subject to 440.08 (4), Stats., as follows:(a)
If the licensee applies for renewal of the license less than five years after its expiration, the license shall be renewed upon payment of the renewal fee(b)
If the licensee applies for renewal of the license more than five years after its expiration, the board shall make an inquiry to determine whether the applicant is competent to practice under the license in this state and shall impose any reasonable conditions on the renewal of the license. This paragraph does not apply to licensees who have unmet disciplinary requirements or whose licenses have been surrendered or revoked.(3)
A licensee who has unmet disciplinary requirements and failed to renew a license within five years of the renewal date or whose license has been surrendered or revoked may apply to have a license reinstated if the applicant provides all of the following:(c)
Evidence of completion of requirements under PA 2.05 (2) (b) if the licensee has not held an active Wisconsin license in the last five years.(d)
Evidence of completion of disciplinary requirements, if applicable.(e)
Evidence of rehabilitation or a change in circumstances, warranting reinstatement of the license.
PA 2.06 Reciprocal Credentials for Service Members, Former Service Members, and their Spouses. A reciprocal license shall be granted to a service member, former service member, or the spouse of a service member or former service member who the board determines meets all of the requirements under s. 440.09 (2), Stats. subject to s. 9.9
(2m), Stats. The board may request verification necessary to make a determination under this section.PA 2.07 Title Protection. No person may designate himself or herself as a “physician assistant” or “physician associate” or use or assume the title “physician assistant” or “physician associate” or append to the person’s name the words or letters “physician assistant”, “physician associate” or “P.A.” or any other titles, letters, or designation which represents or may tend to represent that person as a physician assistant or physician associate unless that person is a physician assistant licensed by the board or a federally credentialed physician assistant or physician associate.
CHAPTER PA 3 COLLABORATION AND PRACTICE
PA 3.01 Practice Standards. (1) Regardless of employment status, a physician assistant shall practice pursuant to one of the following:
(a)
In accordance with s. 448.975 (2) (a) 1. a., Stats. the physician assistant practices pursuant to an employment arrangement. Under this option, a physician assistant is not required under this rule to enter into a written collaborative agreement with a physician. This provision shall not prevent an employer from requiring a written collaborative or practice agreement; or(b)
The physician assistant enters into a written collaborative agreement with a physician pursuant to s. 448.975 (2) (a) 1. b., Stats.:1.
If a physician assistant practices pursuant to a written collaborative agreement under sub. (1) (b) of this section, the agreement must be kept on file at the practice site. The agreement must include, at a minimum:a.
A statement that the collaborating physician shall remain reasonably available to the physician assistant for consultation via telecommunications or other electronic means and that consultation shall occur within a medically appropriate time;b.
A statement that the collaborating physician may designate an alternate collaborator to be consulted when the collaborating physician is temporarily unavailable.c.
A statement that if the patient requests a physician consultation, arrangements must be made for such a consult within a medically appropriate time;d.
A clause specifying that either party may terminate the collaborative agreement by providing written notice at least 30 days prior to the date of termination, or in a manner otherwise specified by the collaborating physician and the physician assistant; ande.
The signature of both the collaborating physician and the physician assistant.
(2)
A physician is not required under this rule to be physically present at the location where the physician assistant practices or renders care.PA 3.02 Practice of Podiatry. A physician assistant may practice with the supervision and direction of a podiatrist pursuant to s. 448.975 (1) (b) 2., stats. and the rules promulgated under s. 448.695 (4) (b), Stats. PA 3.03 Emergency, Disaster, and Volunteer Practice. (1) A physician assistant licensed under s. PA 2 may perform any of the following:
(a)
Render such emergency medical care that they are able to provide at the scene of an accident or emergency situation, not to be defined as an emergency situation that occurs in the place of one’s employment, in the absence of an employment or collaborative agreement entered into under PA 3.01 (1).(b)
Render such medical care that they are able to provide during a declared state of emergency or other disaster, notwithstanding an employment or collaborative agreement entered into under PA 3.01 (1).(c)
Provide volunteer medical care at camps or sporting events, notwithstanding an employment or collaborative agreement entered into under PA 3.01 (1).
