Alabama Board of Medical Examiners & Medical Licensure Commission (2024)

Notices:

The Application for Registration of a Physician Assistant has been modified. The effective date of the new application is February 12, 2024.
Any new registration application submitted on or after February 12, 2024, must utilize the most current application. If an out-of-date application is submitted on or after February 12, 2024, it will be returned.

NOTICE OF NEWREQUIREMENTS:Continuing education will be required for assistants to physicians and supervising physicians beginning Jan. 1, 2025. Seethis informational page for more information.

• Eligibility Requirements
• License Application/Forms
• Fees (Non-Transferable/Non-Refundable)
• Additional Skills
• FAQ
• Check Pending Application
• Agenda Deadlines

License and Registration to Practice as an Assistant to Physicians

• Apply for a license to practice as a Physician Assistant or Anesthesiologist Assistant.
• Apply for registration to a supervising physician/anesthesiologist (at the same time as or following license application).
• Applications are placed on the next available Board agenda, and the applicant is notified of approval or non-approval.
• Processing time for licensure is four to six weeks.

Eligibility Requirements

Physician Assistant

• Successful completion of a training program accredited by the ARC-PA.
• Successful completion of PANCE.
• Submit application and fee.
• Submit to a criminal history background check.
• Documentation submitted through the Federation Credentials Verification Service (FCVS) may be accepted to demonstrate compliance with the credentialing requirements.

Supervising Physician

• Hold a current, unrestricted license to practice medicine in Alabama.
• On the date of application, has practiced medicine* for at least three years/one year if board certified or if practice site is limited to a hospital.
  *since completion of residency/postgraduate education

Anesthesiologist Assistant

• Successful completion of a training program accredited by CAHEA.
• Successful completion of CEAA.
• Submit application and fee.
• Submit to a criminal history background check.

Supervising Anesthesiologist

• Hold a current, unrestricted license to practice medicine in Alabama and practice in the medical specialty of anesthesiology.
• On the date of application, practiced medicine for at least three years* or at least one year and certified by the ABA or AOBA or practice site is limited solely to a hospital.
  *including any practice while enrolled in internship, residency, or fellowship

License Application

Click Here for Agenda Deadlines

• Online Application for PALicense (Instructions/Checklist)
• Online Application for AALicense

Additional Forms

• Appendix - Verification of Other State Licenses
• Application to Review Alabama Criminal History Record Information
  • Please note: Must be mailed with two completed fingerprint cards
  • To request fingerprint cards, email us at fingerprints@albme.gov(be sure to provide your mailing address)
• Declaration of Citizenship/Legal Presence - List of Documents Demonstrating Citizenship
• Reinstatement Application Form (for surrendered or revoked licenses only)
• Name Change Form

License Application Checklist

Expedited Temporary Assistants to Physicians License for Active Military Members and Spouses

• Description, instructions, and application

Renewal Requirements

• Licenses are renewed annually on or before Dec. 31.
• Theannual CME requirement is 25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits.

If a PA/AA fails to renew a license before Jan. 1 of each year, it may subsequently be renewed as follows:

• Between Jan. 1 and Jan. 31, submit a completed application, pay the fee, and certify completion of the required CME credits earned inthe prior year.
• Feb. 1 and thereafter, submit a completed application, pay the fee, and submit proof of completion of the required CME credits earned withinthe preceding 12 months.

A form for the reissue maybe requested from the Assistants to Physicians licensing department using our contact form.

Email PA/AA Department

Registration to Supervising Physician/Anesthesiologist

Registration-PA

• Application for registration of PA- REQUIRED
• Core Duties and Scope of Practice - REQUIRED
• Disclosure of Collaborative and Supervisory Agreements - REQUIRED
• Supplemental certificate of hospital/corporate employer (if applicable)
• Formulary for non-controlled prescribing (if applicable)
• Covering physician agreement (if applicable)
• Limited Protocol for Comprehensive Physical Examination - PA
  • Clinical Model: Private companies, or their subsidiaries, coordinate one-on-one, face-to-face encounters for plan members and/or beneficiaries. For example, annual wellness exams for Medicare beneficiaries and compensation and pension assessment exams for veterans. An Electronic Medical Record is used to compile health and examination histories and transmit information to primary payor source.
  • With the Limited Protocol application, you must also submit the Application for Registration, Disclosure of Collaborative and Supervisory Agreements, Supplemental Certificate of hospital/corporate employer (if applicable) and Covering Physician Agreement (if applicable).

Registration-AA

• Application for registration of AA- REQUIRED
• Supplemental certificate of hospital/corporate employer (if applicable)
• Covering anesthesiologist certification
• Disclosure of Collaborative and Supervisory Agreements - REQUIRED
• Skill protocol template (if applicable)

Registration Termination Requirements

• The PA/AAand the physician/anesthesiologist are responsible for informing the Board of the effective date of the termination of employment and the reasons for such termination.
• Failure to notify the Board of termination may be considered by the Board as a violation of Board rules for the purpose of approval of future applications for registration.
• Termination must be in writing and can be accomplished using thePA/AA registration termination form.

Changes to Hours Worked

To make changesin the hours worked of a PA or AA, pleasecontact Assistants to Physicians licensing department using ourcontact form.

Fees (Non-Transferable/Non-Refundable)

• Initial license: $200
• Criminal Background Check Fee: $65
• Total for Initial License:$265

• License renewal fee: $100
• Registration: $100
• Print Receipts at the Licensee Portal

Additional Skills

• Skills protocol template
• Additional Skill Request Outside of Protocol

Botulinum Toxin/Botox

• Botulinum toxin for hyperhidrosis protocol and request to train
• Botox injection for chronic migraine protocol

Critical Care

• Critical care skills requirements for initial certification
• Critical care skills request to train
• Critical care insertion of non-tunneled CVL less than 14F (Internal Jugular)
• Critical care insertion of non-tunneled CVL less than 14F (Femoral)
• Critical care advanced protocol and request to train

Interventional Radiology

• Tunneled CVL Insertion request to train

Orthopedic

• Orthopedic specialty protocol
• Orthopedic specialty protocol request to train

Otolaryngology

• Otolaryngology request to train

FAQ

How long will it take to process my application?

Generally, it takes four to six weeks to process an initial application. Registration agreements may take less or more time for approval depending upon their complexity.

What is a “remote site”?

An approved site for a registration agreement without a supervising or covering physician on-site. The supervising physician’s principal practice site, acute care hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, licensed, special-care assisted living facilities, and licensed assisted living facilities are not remote practice sites for the purpose of these rules.

What is Quality Assurance?

How many PAs may a physician supervise?

The determination is not made on the number of people. The Board limits a physician to supervise a total of 360 "full-time equivalent" (FTE) hours per week of mid-level practitioners. Mid-level practitioners include CRNPs, CNMs and PAs. The county and state health departments are exempt from this rule. Please contact our office if you have further questions about this issue.

May a collaborating or covering physician supervise a PA, CRNP, or CNM practicing in a hospital where the physician does not have privileges?

No, a PA, CRNP, or CNM may only practice in a hospital where the practitioner and his or her supervising or collaborating physician both have privileges.

Can a PA, CRNP, or CNM refer patients to physical therapists?

Yes, they may refer to physical therapists for treatment based on a protocol prescribed by the licensed physician under whom the PA, CRNP, or CNM is practicing.

Can PAs order MRIs?

Yes.

Can a PA dictate a death summary?

Yes, as long as the physician co-signs the death summary.