Changes to California Law with Assembly Bill 2482

Assembly Bill 2482 (Maze and Bass), which adds Section 3524.5 to the Business and Professions Code, becomes effective on January 1, 2009. Listed below are descriptions of the changes.

Previously, the law provided for the renewal of unexpired licenses and certain expired licenses by applying for renewal on a form provided by the committee and paying certain fees, as specified.

Effective January 1, 2009, the committee will require a licensee to complete continuing education as a condition of license renewal. The Committee shall not require more than 50 hours of continuing education every two years. The committee shall, as it deems appropriate, accept certification by a specified commission or another qualified certifying body as evidence of compliance with continuing education requirements.

The Committee is seeking input as it considers promulgating regulations to implement this new law. The committee is particularly interested in the issues of continuing education providers, the appropriate hours, and the types of activities that would be considered continuing education.

Please check the committee's web site frequently at www.pac.ca.gov to obtain any new updates to this information.

All physician assistants and supervising physicians should familiarize themselves with these changes to ensure they are in compliance with the physician assistant laws and regulations.