TITLE 22.EXAMINING BOARDS

Part 5. STATE BOARD OF DENTAL EXAMINERS

Chapter 101. DENTAL LICENSURE

22 TAC §101.7

The State Board of Dental Examiners proposes amendments to §101.7, Licensure by Credentials, Dentists.

Jeffry R. Hill, Executive Director, State Board of Dental Examiners, has determined that for the first five-year period the rule is in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing the rule.

Mr. Hill has determined that for each year of the first five years the rule is in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the rule will be that the public will know that all dentists licensed in Texas, whether by examination or credentials, will have completed continuing education and will have demonstrated clinical competency.

It is unknown if there will be any fiscal implications for small businesses. Should such costs be incurred, they will not be of such magnitude to impact the economic viability of a small business. Therefore the SBDE has determined that compliance with the proposed amended rule will not have an adverse economic impact on small businesses when compared to large businesses as the cost of compliance, if any, will be minimal.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Mei Ling Clendennen, Assistant Executive Director, State Board of Dental Examiners, 333 Guadalupe, Tower 3, Suite 800, Austin, Texas, 78701, (512) 463-6400. To be considered all comments must be received by the State Board of Dental Examiners on or before March 25, 2000.

The amended rule is proposed under Texas Government Code §2001.021 et. seq.; Texas Civil Statutes, the Occupations Code §254.001 which provides the State Board of Dental Examiners with the authority to adopt and promulgate rules consistent with the Dental Practice Act, and §256.101 which provides the Board with the authority to issue a license after a review of credentials.

The proposed amended rule does not affect other statutes, articles, or codes.

§101.7.Licensure by Credentials--Dentists.

The State Board of Dental Examiners will license applicants by credentials upon payment of a fee, in an amount set by the Board, who meet all SBDE and State of Texas minimum applicant requirements and general licensure qualifications and all of the following criteria:

(1)-(7)

(No change.)

(8)

Has successfully passed a state or regional general dentistry clinical examination.

(9)

[ (8) ] Has successfully passed background checks for criminal or fraudulent activities to include information from the National Practitioner Data Bank, the Healthcare Integrity and Protection Data Bank and/or the AADE Clearinghouse for Disciplinary Action;

(10)

[ (9) ] Practice experience described in paragraph (3) of this section must be subsequent to applicant having graduated from a dental school accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.

(11)

[ (10) ] Each candidate for licensure by credentials must submit to the Credentials Review Committee of the Board the required documents and information prescribed in this rule and other documents or information that may be requested to enable the Committee to evaluate appropriately an application and to make a recommendation to the Board for action on the application.

(12)

[ (11) ] Each applicant must show proof of current CPR certification as required by the Texas Dental Practice Act Chapter 256, §256.101 .

(13)

Effective September 1, 2000, all applicants must submit proof of completion of 12 hours of continuing education taken within the twelve months preceding the date the licensure application is received by the SBDE. All hours shall be taken in accordance with the provisions as cited in §104.1(5)(6) and (7) (of this title relating to Requirements) and §104.2 (of this title relating to Providers).

(14)

[ (12) ] Applications must be delivered to the office of the State Board of Dental Examiners.

(15)

[ (13) ] An application for licensure is filed with the State Board of Dental Examiners when it is actually received, date-stamped, and logged-in by the State Board of Dental Examiners along with all required documentation and fees. An incomplete application for licensure and fee will be returned to applicant within three working days with an explanation of additional documentation or information needed.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State, on February 8, 2000.

TRD-200000975

Jeffry R. Hill

Executive Director

State Board of Dental Examiners

Earliest possible date of adoption: March 26, 2000

For further information, please call: (512) 463-6400


Part 9. TEXAS STATE BOARD OF MEDICAL EXAMINERS

Chapter 163. LICENSURE

22 TAC §163.4

The Texas State Board of Medical Examiners proposes an amendment to §163.4, concerning licensure. The section amends language relating to procedural rules regarding licensure examinations.

John S. Teer, General Counsel, Texas State Board of Medical Examiners, has determined that for the first five-year period the amendment is in effect there will be no fiscal implications to state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the amendment as proposed.

Mr. Teer also has determined that for each year of the first five years the amendment as proposed is in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the amendment will be clarification on procedural rules regarding licensure examinations. There will be no effect on small businesses. There is no anticipated economic costs to persons who are required to comply with the amendment as proposed.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Pat Wood, P.O. Box 2018, MC-901, Austin, Texas 78768-2018. A public hearing will be held at a later date.

The amendment is proposed under the authority of the Occupations Code, §153.001, which provides the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners to adopt rules and bylaws as necessary to: govern its own proceedings; perform its duties; regulate the practice of medicine in this state; and enforce this subtitle.

The Occupations Code, §155.101 is affected by the proposed amendment.

§163.4.Procedural Rules for Licensure Applicants.

(a)

Applicants for licensure:

(1)

whose documentation indicates any name other than the name under which the Applicant has applied must furnish proof of the name change;

(2)

whose application for licensure which has been filed with the board office and which is in excess of one years old from the date of receipt, shall be considered inactive. Any fee previously submitted with that application shall be forfeited. Any further application procedure for licensure will require submission of a new application and inclusion of the current licensure fee;

(3)

will be allowed to sit for the Texas medical jurisprudence examination only three times. After the third failure of the Texas medical jurisprudence examination, and after each subsequent failure, an applicant for licensure shall be required to appear before a committee of the board to address the applicant's inability to pass the Texas medical jurisprudence examination and to re-evaluate the applicant's eligibility for licensure;

(4)

who in any way falsify the application may be required to appear before the board. It will be at the discretion of the board whether or not the applicant will be issued a Texas license;

(5)

on whom adverse information is received by the board may be required to appear before the board. It will be at the discretion of the board whether or not the applicant will be issued a Texas license;

(6)

shall be required to comply with the board's rules and regulations which are in effect at the time the completed application form and fee are filed with the board;

(7)

may be required to sit for additional oral or written examinations that, in the opinion of the board, are necessary to determine competency of the applicant;

(8)

must have the application for licensure complete in every detail 20 days prior to the board meeting in which they are considered for licensure. Applicants may qualify for a Temporary License prior to being considered by the board for licensure, as required by §163.7 of this title (relating to Temporary Licensure - Regular);

(9)

must pass, within seven years all parts of all examinations required for licensure. The board may consider for licensure graduates of simultaneous MD-PhD or DO-PhD programs who have passed all parts of their required examinations no later than two years after their MD or DO degree was awarded.

(b)

Applicants for licensure who wish to request reasonable accommodations for the Texas jurisprudence examination, due to a disability, must submit the request upon filing the Application.

(c)

Applicants for licensure:

(1)

are required to complete an oath swearing that:

(A)

the license certificate under which the applicant has most recently practiced medicine in the state or Canadian province from which the applicant is transferring to this state or in the uniformed service in which the applicant served is in full force and not restricted, canceled, suspended or revoked;

(B)

the applicant is the identical person to whom the certificate or diploma was issued;

(C)

no proceedings have been instituted against the applicant for the restriction, cancellation, suspension, or revocation of the certificate, license, or authority to practice medicine in the state, Canadian province, or uniformed service of the United States in which it was issued; and

(D)

no prosecution is pending against the applicant in any state, federal, or Canadian court for any offense that under the laws of this state is a felony.

(2)

who have not been examined for licensure in a ten-year period prior to the filing date of the application must [ pass Day III or Component II of the FLEX prior to June 1988, or SPEX, with a grade of 75 or higher, unless the applicant has ]:

(A)

pass [ passed ] a specialty certification examination or formal evaluation, recertification examination or formal evaluation, or an examination of continued demonstration of qualifications by a board that is a member of the American Board of Medical Specialties or the Advisory Board for [ Bureau of ] Osteopathic Specialists within the preceding ten years; [ or ]

(B)

obtain [ obtained ] through extraordinary circumstances, unique training equal to the training required for specialty certification as determined by a committee of the board and approved by the board ; or

(C)

pass SPEX within the preceding ten years.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on February 14, 2000.

TRD-200001162

Bruce A. Levy, M.D., J.D.

Executive Director

Texas State Board of Medical Examiners

Earliest possible date of adoption: March 26, 2000

For further information, please call: (512) 305-7016


Chapter 164. ADVERTISING

The Texas State Board of Medical Examiners proposes the repeal to §164.1 and new §§164.1-164.5, concerning physician advertising. The repeal and new sections are necessary to provide clarity and definition to the terms false and deceptive advertising. The title to this chapter is also being amended from Advertising to Physician Advertising.

John S. Teer, General Counsel, Texas State Board of Medical Examiners, has determined that for the first five-year period the repealed section is in effect there will be no fiscal implications to state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the repealed section as proposed.

Mr. Teer also has determined that for each year of the first five years the repealed section as proposed is in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the repealed section will be clarity and definition to the terms false and deceptive advertising. There will be no effect on small businesses. There are no anticipated economic costs to persons who are required to comply with the repealed section as proposed.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Pat Wood, P.O. Box 2018, MC-901, Austin, Texas 78768-2018. A public hearing will be held at a later date.

22 TAC §164.1

(Editor's note: The text of the following section proposed for repeal will not be published. The section may be examined in the offices of the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners or in the Texas Register office, Room 245, James Earl Rudder Building, 1019 Brazos Street, Austin.)

The repeal is proposed under the Medical Practice Act, Texas Civil Statutes, Article 4495b, §2.09(a), which provides the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners with the authority to make rules, regulations and bylaws not inconsistent with this Act as may be necessary for the governing of its own proceedings, the performance of its duties, the regulation of the practice of medicine in this state, and the enforcement of this Act.

The Occupations Code, §101.201 is affected by the repeal.

§164.1.Misleading or Deceptive Advertising.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on February 14, 2000.

TRD-200001165

Bruce A. Levy, M.D., J.D.

Executive Director

Texas State Board of Medical Examiners

Earliest possible date of adoption: March 26, 2000

For further information, please call: (512) 305-7016


22 TAC §§164.1 - 164.5

The new sections are proposed under the Medical Practice Act, Texas Civil Statutes, Article 4495b, §2.09(a), which provides the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners with the authority to make rules, regulations and bylaws not inconsistent with this Act as may be necessary for the governing of its own proceedings, the performance of its duties, the regulation of the practice of medicine in this state, and the enforcement of this Act.

The Occupations Code, §101.201 is affected by these new sections.

§164.1.Purpose.

These rules are promulgated under the authority of the Medical Practice Act, Texas Occupations Code Ann. §153.001 and the Health Professions Council, Texas Occupations Code Ann. §101.201, to set forth the grounds under which a physician's license may be disciplined for false and deceptive advertising. Reasonable regulation designed to foster compliance with appropriate standards serves the public interest without impeding the flow of useful, meaningful, and relevant information to the public. The Board permits the dissemination to the public of legitimate information, in accordance with the Board's rules, regarding the practice of medicine and where and from whom medical services may be obtained, so long as such information is in no way false, deceptive, or misleading. It is the responsibility of each physician to carefully scrutinize his advertisements and adhere to the highest ethical standards of truth in advertising.

§164.2.Definitions.

The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meanings, unless the contents clearly indicate otherwise.

(1)

Advertising and advertisement - Informational communication to the public in any manner designed to attract public attention to the practice of a physician. Advertising may include oral, written, broadcast, and other types of communications disseminated by or at the behest of a physician. The communications covered include, but are not limited to, those made to patients, prospective patients, professionals or other persons who might refer patients, and to the public at large. The communications covered include signs, nameplates, professional cards, announcements, letterheads, listings in telephone directories and other directories, brochures, radio and television appearances, and information disseminated on the Internet or Web.

(2)

A testimonial - An attestation or implied attestation to the competence of a physician's service or treatment. Testimonials also include expressions of appreciation or esteem, a character reference, or a statement of benefits received. Testimonials are not limited to patient comments but may also include comments from colleagues, friends, family, actors, models, fictional characters, or other persons or entities.

§164.3.Misleading or Deceptive Advertising.

No physician shall disseminate or cause the dissemination of any advertisement that is in any way false, deceptive, or misleading. Any advertisement shall be deemed by the Board to be false, deceptive, or misleading if it:

(1)

contains material false claims or misrepresentations of material facts which cannot be substantiated; or

(2)

contains material implied false claims or implied misrepresentations of material fact; or

(3)

omits material facts; or

(4)

makes a representation likely to create an unjustified expectation about the results of a health care service or procedure; or

(5)

advertises or assures a permanent cure for an incurable disease; or

(6)

compares a health care professional's services with another health care professional's services unless the comparison can be factually substantiated; or

(7)

advertises professional superiority or the performance of professional service in a superior manner if the advertising is not subject to verification; or

(8)

contains a testimonial; or

(9)

includes photographs or other representations of models or actors without explicitly identifying them as models and not actual patients; or

(10)

causes confusion or misunderstanding as to the credentials, education, or licensure of a health care professional; or

(11)

represents that health care insurance deductibles or copayments may be waived or are not applicable to health care services to be provided if the deductibles or copayments are required; or

(12)

represents that the benefits of a health benefit plan will be accepted as full payment when deductibles or copayments are required; or

(13)

states that a service is free when it is not, or contains untruthful or deceptive claims regarding costs and fees. If other costs are frequently incurred when the advertised service is obtained then this should be disclosed. Offers of free service must indeed be free. To state that a service is free but a third party is billed is deceptive and subject to disciplinary action; or

(14)

makes a representation that is designed to take advantage of the fears or emotions of a particularly susceptible type of patient; or

(15)

advertises or represents in the use of a professional name, a title, or professional identification that is expressly or commonly reserved to or used by another profession or professional; or

(16)

claims that a physician has a unique or exclusive skill without substantiation of such claim; or

(17)

involves uninvited solicitation such as door to door solicitation of a given population or other such tactics for "drumming" patients; or

(18)

fails to disclose the fact of giving compensation or anything of value to representatives of the press, radio, television or other communicative medium in anticipation of or in return for any advertisement, article, or infomercial, unless the nature, format or medium of such advertisement make the fact of compensation apparent.

§164.4.Board Certification.

(a)

A physician's authorization of or use in any advertising for his or her practice of the term "board certified," or any similar words or phrase calculated to convey the same meaning shall constitute misleading or deceptive advertising unless the physician discloses the complete name of the specialty board which conferred the aforementioned certification. Furthermore, the certifying organization must be a board as defined by Texas Revised Civil Statutes, Article 4495b, §5.12(3).

(b)

A physician may not use the term "board certified" or any similar words or phrase calculated to convey the same meaning if the claimed board certification has expired and has not been renewed at the time the advertising in question was published or broadcast.

(c)

The terms "board eligible," "board qualified," or any similar words or phrase calculated to convey the same meaning shall not be used in physician advertising.

§164.5.Advertising Records and Responsibility.

(a)

Any and all advertisements are presumed to have been approved by the licensee named therein.

(b)

Each licensee who is a principal partner, or officer of a firm or entity identified in any advertisement, is jointly and severally responsible for the form and content of any advertisement. This provision shall also include any employees acting as an agent of such firm or entity.

(c)

If photographs or other representations of actual patients are used in advertising, there must not be communication of facts, data, or information which may identify the patient without first obtaining patient consent.

(d)

A recording of every advertisement communicated by electronic media, and a copy of every advertisement communicated by print media and a copy of any other form of advertisement shall be retained by the licensee for a period of two years from the last date of broadcast or publication and be made available for review upon request by the board or its designee.

(e)

At the time any type of advertisement is placed, the licensee must possess and rely upon information which, when produced, would substantiate the truthfulness of any assertion, omission or representation of material fact set forth in the advertisement or public communication.

(f)

It is hereby declared that the sections, clauses, sentences and parts of these rules are severable, are not matters of mutual essential inducement, and any of them shall be exscinded if these rules would otherwise be unconstitutional or ineffective. If any one or more sections, clauses, sentences or parts shall for any reasons be questioned in any court, and shall be adjudged unconstitutional or invalid, such judgment shall not affect, impair or invalidate the remaining provisions thereof, but shall be confined in its operation to the specific provision or provisions so held unconstitutional or invalid, and the inapplicability or invalidity of any section, clause, sentence or part in any one or more instances shall not be taken to affect or prejudice in any way its applicability or validity in any other instance.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on February 14, 2000.

TRD-200001166

Bruce A. Levy, M.D., J.D.

Executive Director

Texas State Board of Medical Examiners

Earliest possible date of adoption: March 26, 2000

For further information, please call: (512) 305-7016


Chapter 165. MEDICAL RECORDS

22 TAC §165.2, §165.4

The Texas State Board of Medical Examiners proposes an amendment to §165.2 and new §165.4, concerning medical records. The amendment will clarify charges for affidavits that may accompany copies of medical records certifying that the copy is a true and correct copy of the original. New §165.4 includes statutory changes regarding the time limit for release of copies of records and the procedure for appointing a custodian of medical records.

John S. Teer, General Counsel, Texas State Board of Medical Examiners, has determined that for the first five-year period the sections are in effect there will be no fiscal implications to state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the sections as proposed.

Mr. Teer also has determined that for each year of the first five years the sections as proposed are in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the sections will be clarification on charges for affidavits that may accompany copies of medical records certifying that the copy is a true and correct copy of the original and a procedure for appointing a custodian of medical records. There will be no effect on small businesses. The anticipated economic costs to persons who are required to comply with the sections as proposed would be a fee of up to $10 if requesting an affidavit.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Pat Wood, P.O. Box 2018, MC-901, Austin, Texas 78768-2018. A public hearing will be held at a later date.

The amendment and new section are proposed under the authority of the Occupations Code, §153.001, which provides the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners to adopt rules and bylaws as necessary to: govern its own proceedings; perform its duties; regulate the practice of medicine in this state; and enforce this subtitle.

The Occupations Code, §159.006 is affected by the proposed amendment and new section.

§165.2.Medical Record Release and Charges.

(a)

As required by the Medical Practice Act, §5.08(k), a physician shall furnish copies of medical records requested or a summary or narrative of the records pursuant to a written release of the information as provided by the Medical Practice Act, §5.08(j), except if the physician determines that access to the information would be harmful to the physical, mental, or emotional health of the patient, and the physician may delete confidential information about another patient or family member of the patient who has not consented to the release.

(b)

The requested copies of medical records or a summary or narrative of the records shall be furnished by the physician within 15 [ 30 ] days after the date of the request and reasonable fees for furnishing the information shall be paid by the patient or someone on behalf of the patient.

(c)

If the physician denies the request for copies of medical records or a summary or narrative of the records, either in whole or in part, the physician shall furnish the patient a written statement, signed and dated, stating the reason for the denial, and a copy of the statement denying the request shall be placed in the patient's medical records.

(d)

For purposes of this section, "medical records" shall include those records as defined in §165.1(a) of this title (relating to Medical Records) and shall include copies of medical records of other health care practitioners contained in the records of the physician to whom a request for release of records has been made.

(e)

The physician responding to a request for such information shall be entitled to receive a reasonable fee for providing the requested information. A reasonable fee shall be a charge of no more than $25 for the first twenty pages and $.15 per page for every copy thereafter. In addition, a reasonable fee may include actual costs for mailing, shipping, or delivery. If an affidavit is requested, certifying that the information is a true and correct copy of the records, a reasonable fee of up to $15 may be charged for executing the affidavit .

(f)

The physician providing copies of requested medical records or a summary or a narrative of such records shall be entitled to payment of a reasonable fee prior to release of the information unless the information is requested by a licensed Texas health care provider or a physician licensed by any state, territory, or insular possession of the United States or any State or province of Canada if requested for purposes of emergency or acute medical care. In the event the physician receives a proper request for copies of medical records or a summary or narrative of the medical records for purposes other than for emergency or acute medical care, the physician may retain the requested information until payment is received. In the event payment is not routed with such a request, within ten calendar days from receiving a request for the release of such records for reasons other than emergency or acute medical care, the physician shall notify the requesting party in writing of the need for payment and may withhold the information until payment of a reasonable fee is received. A copy of the letter regarding the need for payment shall be made part of the patient's medical record. Medical records requested pursuant to a proper request for release may not be withheld from the patient, the patient's authorized agent, or the patient's designated recipient for such records based on a past due account for medical care or treatment previously rendered to the patient.

(g)

A subpoena shall not be required for the release of medical records requested pursuant to a proper release for records under this section and the Medical Practice Act, §5.08, made by a patient or by the patient's guardian or other representative duly authorized to obtain such records.

(h)

In response to a proper request for release of medical records, a physician shall not be required to provide copies of billing records pertaining to medical treatment of a patient unless specifically requested pursuant to the request for release of medical records.

(i)

The allowable charges as set forth in this chapter shall be maximum amounts, and this chapter shall be construed and applied so as to be consistent with lower fees or the prohibition or absence of such fees as required by state statute or prevailing federal law.

§165.4.Appointment of Record Custodian of a Physician's Records.

(a)

The Board may appoint a temporary or permanent custodian for medical records abandoned by a physician.

(b)

The records will be considered abandoned if they are without custodial care for a minimum of two weeks without alternative arrangements being made by the physician, the physician's legal guardian, or by the executor of the physician's estate.

(c)

The record custodian appointed by the Board shall take custody of and maintain the confidentiality of the physician's records, to include available medical records and billing records, according to the provisions of Board rules and state statutes.

(d)

The appointed record custodian shall provide the records, or copies of the records, to the patient or to the patient's designee according to Board rules and state statutes. In addition to the reasonable copying fee defined in Board rules, the appointed record custodian may charge an additional fee of $25.00 per patient record.

(e)

The appointed record custodian shall retain care of the records for no less than 90 days and shall publish appropriate notice of pending destruction of the records for no less than 30 days prior to destruction of the records.

(f)

Destruction of medical records shall be done in a manner which ensures continued confidentiality.

(g)

The Board may publish a Request for Bids for one entity to function as the appointed record custodian for all areas of the state. If a sole statewide contractor is not selected, the Board may publish a Request for Bids for entities to function as regional appointed record custodian or a custodian may be appointed on a case by case basis.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on February 14, 2000.

TRD-200001168

Bruce A. Levy, M.D., J.D.

Executive Director

Texas State Board of Medical Examiners

Earliest possible date of adoption: March 26, 2000

For further information, please call: (512) 305-7016


Chapter 166. PHYSICIAN REGISTRATION

22 TAC §166.2

The Texas State Board of Medical Examiners proposes an amendment to §166.2, concerning physician registration. The amendment will streamline the process for gathering information to determine a physician's compliance with continuing medical education requirements.

John S. Teer, General Counsel, Texas State Board of Medical Examiners, has determined that for the first five-year period the amendment is in effect there will be no fiscal implications to state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the amendment as proposed.

Mr. Teer also has determined that for each year of the first five years the amendment as proposed is in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the amendment will be a streamlined process for gathering information to determine a physician's compliance with continuing medical education requirements. There will be no effect on small businesses. There is no anticipated economic costs to persons who are required to comply with the amendment as proposed.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Pat Wood, P.O. Box 2018, MC-901, Austin, Texas 78768-2018. A public hearing will be held at a later date.

The amendment is proposed under the authority of the Occupations Code, §153.001, which provides the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners to adopt rules and bylaws as necessary to: govern its own proceedings; perform its duties; regulate the practice of medicine in this state; and enforce this subtitle.

The Occupations Code, §156.051 is affected by the proposed amendment.

§166.2.Continuing Medical Education.

(a)

As a prerequisite to the annual registration of a physician's license, 24 hours of continuing medical education (CME) are required to be completed in the following categories:

(1)

At least one-half of the hours are to be from formal courses that are:

(A)

designated for AMA/PRA Category 1 credit by a CME sponsor accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education or a state medical society recognized by the Committee for Review and Recognition of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education;

(B)

approved for prescribed credit by the American Academy of Family Physicians;

(C)

designated for AOA Category 1-A credit required for osteopathic physicians by an accredited CME sponsor approved by the American Osteopathic Association; or

(D)

approved by the Texas Medical Association based on standards established by the AMA for its Physician's Recognition Award.

(2)

Beginning with annual registrations in 1999, at least one of the formal hours of CME which are required by paragraph(1) of this subsection [ subsection (a)(1) of this section ] must involve the study of medical ethics and/or professional responsibility. Whether a particular hour of CME involves the study of medical ethics and/or professional responsibility shall be determined by the organizations which are enumerated in paragraph(1) of this subsection [ subsection (a)(1) of this section ] as part of their course planning.

(3)

The remaining hours may be composed of informal self-study, attendance at hospital lectures or grand rounds not approved for formal CME, or case conferences and shall be recorded in a manner that can be easily transmitted to the board upon request.

(b)

A physician must report on the annual registration form if she or he has completed the required [ the number of hours and type of ] continuing medical education [ completed ] during the previous year. A licensee may carry forward CME credit hours earned prior to an annual registration report which are in excess of the 24-hour annual requirement and such excess hours may be applied to the following years' requirements. A maximum of 48 total excess credit hours may be carried forward and shall be reported according to the categories set out in subsection (a) of this section. Excess CME credit hours of any type may not be carried forward or applied to an annual report of CME more than two years beyond the date of the annual registration following the period during which the hours were earned.

(c)

A licensee shall be presumed to have complied with this section if in the preceding 36 months the licensee becomes board certified or recertified in a medical specialty and the medical specialty program meets the standards of the American Board of Medical Specialties, the American Medical Association, the Advisory Board for Osteopathic Specialists and Boards of Certification, or the American Osteopathic Association. This provision exempts the physician from all CME requirements, including the requirement for one hour involving the study of medical ethics and/or professional responsibility, as outlined in subsection (a)(2) of this section, and this exemption is valid for one annual renewal period only.

(d)

A physician may request in writing an exemption for the following reasons:

(1)

catastrophic illness;

(2)

military service of longer than one year's duration outside the state;

(3)

medical practice and residence of longer than one year's duration outside the United States; or

(4)

good cause shown on written application of the licensee that gives satisfactory evidence to the board that the licensee is unable to comply with the requirement for continuing medical education.

(e)

Exemptions are subject to the approval of the executive director/medical director and must be requested in writing at least 30 days prior to the expiration date of the license.

(f)

A temporary exemption under subsection (d) of this section may not exceed one year but may be renewed annually, subject to the approval of the board.

(g)

Subsection (a) of this section does not apply to a licensee who is retired and has been exempted from paying the annual registration fee under §166.3 of this title (relating to Retired Physician Exception).

(h)

This section does not prevent the board from taking disciplinary action with respect to a licensee or an applicant for a license by requiring additional hours of continuing medical education or of specific course subjects.

(i)

The board may require written verification of both formal and informal credits from any licensee within 30 days of request. Failure to provide such verification may result in disciplinary action by the board.

(j)

Physicians in residency/fellowship training or who have completed such training within six months prior to their renewal application will satisfy the requirements of subsections (a)(1) and (2) of this section by their residency or fellowship program.

(k)

Unless exempted under the terms of this section, a physician licensee's apparent failure to obtain and timely report the 24 hours of CME as required and provided for in this section shall result in nonrenewal of the license until such time as the physician obtains and reports the required CME hours; however, the executive director of the board may issue to such a physician a temporary license numbered so as to correspond to the nonrenewed license. Such a temporary license shall be issued at the direction of the executive director for a period of no longer than 90 days. A temporary license issued pursuant to this subsection may be issued to allow the board to verify the accuracy of information related to the physician's CME hours and to allow the physician who has not obtained or timely reported the required number of hours an opportunity to correct any deficiency so as not to require termination of ongoing patient care.

(l)

The fee for issuance of a temporary license pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be in the amount specified for temporary licenses under §175.1 of this title (relating to Fees); however, the fee need not be paid prior to the issuance of the temporary license, but shall be paid prior to the renewal of a permanent license.

(m)

CME hours which are obtained to comply with the CME requirements for the preceding year as a prerequisite for licensure renewal, shall first be credited to meet the CME requirements for the previous year. Once the previous year's CME requirement is satisfied, any additional hours obtained shall be credited to meet the CME requirements for the current year.

(n)

An intentionally false report or intentionally false statement to the board by a licensee regarding CME hours reportedly obtained shall be a basis for disciplinary action by the board pursuant to the Act, §§3.08(1), (4), (5), 4.01, and 4.12. A licensee who is disciplined by the board for such a violation may be subject to the full range of actions authorized by the Act including suspension or revocation of the physician's medical license, but in no event shall such action be less than an administrative penalty of $100 and a public reprimand.

(o)

Administrative penalties for failure to timely obtain and report required CME hours may be determined by the Disciplinary Process Review Committee of the board as provided for in §187.39 of this title (relating to Administrative Penalties).

(p)

Failure to obtain and timely report the CME hours for renewal of a license shall subject the licensee to a monetary penalty for late registration in the amount set forth in §175.2 of this title (relating to Penalties). Any temporary licensure fee and any administrative penalty imposed for failure to obtain and timely report the 24 hours of CME required for renewal of a license shall be in addition to the applicable penalties for late registration or renewal as set forth in §175.2 of this title (relating to Penalties).

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on February 14, 2000.

TRD-200001169

Bruce A. Levy, M.D., J.D.

Executive Director

Texas State Board of Medical Examiners

Earliest possible date of adoption: March 26, 2000

For further information, please call: (512) 305-7016


Chapter 167. REINSTATEMENT

22 TAC §§167.4 -167.6

The Texas State Board of Medical Examiners proposes new §§167.4, 167.5 and 167.6, concerning Best Interests of Physician, Best Interests of the Public and Collateral Attack Prohibited. The new sections will outline the criteria to be considered when making a determination of what is in the best interest of the physician and the public.

Bruce A. Levy, M.D., J.D., Executive Director, Texas State Board of Medical Examiners, has determined that for the first five-year period the new sections are in effect there will be no fiscal implications to state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the sections as proposed.

Dr. Levy also has determined that for each year of the first five years the sections as proposed are in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the sections will be careful consideration of the public and physician's best interest. There will be no effect on small businesses. There are no anticipated economic costs to persons who are required to comply with the rules as proposed.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Pat Wood, P.O. Box 2018, MC-901, Austin, Texas 78768-2018. A public hearing will be held at a later date.

The new sections are proposed under the Medical Practice Act, Texas Civil Statutes, Article 4495b, §2.09(a), which provides the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners with the authority to make rules, regulations and bylaws not inconsistent with this Act as may be necessary for the governing of its own proceedings, the performance of its duties, the regulation of the practice of medicine in this state, and the enforcement of this Act.

The Occupations Code, §164.151 is affected by the proposed rules.

§167.4.Best Interests of Physician.

Pursuant to §4.10 of Article 4495b, Texas Revised Civil Statutes, a physician may be reinstated to the practice of medicine only if the physician demonstrates that the reinstatement is in the physician's best interests. Best interests of the physician may include, but not be limited to, an assessment by the Board as to whether the physician:

(1)

understands all issues of competency, technical, educational, training or ethical limitations as found in the Order which led to the revocation, cancellation or suspension of a license; and

(2)

demonstrates that risk of further disciplinary proceedings for the revocation, cancellation or suspension of the license of the physician will be minimal or minimized if the physician is returned to the practice of medicine.

§167.5.Best Interests of the Public.

Pursuant to §4.10 of Article 4495b, Texas Revised Civil Statutes, a physician may be reinstated to the practice of medicine only if the physician demonstrates that the reinstatement is in the best interests of the public. Bests interests of the public may include, but not be limited to, an assessment by the Board as to whether the physician demonstrates:

(1)

remediation of any competency, technical, educational, training or ethical limitations as found in the Order leading to revocation, cancellation or suspension of a license or any competency, technical, educational, training or ethical limitations found since the entry of the order;

(2)

that risk of further disciplinary proceedings for the revocation, cancellation or suspension of the license will be minimal or minimized if the physician is returned to the practice of medicine and the public will adequately be protected, whether by probationary Order or other terms and conditions as agreed to by the physician or authorized by §4.11 and §4.12 of Article 4495b, Texas Revised Civil Statutes;

(3)

that an adequate practice plan will be in place to reduce or eliminate the risk of further disciplinary proceedings by the Board; and

(4)

continued medical competency such that the physician is able to provide the same standard of medical care as any applicant for a license under Chapter 163 of this title (relating to Licensure). Further, the Board shall require an applicant for reinstatement to meet the qualifications and requirements set forth in Chapter 163 of this title, including, but not limited to documentation of completion of the process of a current application for licensure.

§167.6.Final Action.

In any contested case proceeding regarding a reinstatement application, the Order revoking, canceling or suspending a license is a final action and shall not be subject to further litigation as to its findings of fact or conclusions of law, provided, however, that the Order may be admissible and relevant for purposes of establishing the basis for the original action and subsequent efforts after the Order by the physician to demonstrate reinstatement of the license is in the best interests of the public and the applicant physician.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on February 14, 2000.

TRD-200001170

Bruce A. Levy, M.D., J.D.

Executive Director

Texas State Board of Medical Examiners

Earliest possible date of adoption: March 26, 2000

For further information, please call: (512) 305-7016


Chapter 171. INSTITUTIONAL PERMITS

22 TAC §171.7

The Texas State Board of Medical Examiners proposes new §171.7, concerning institutional permits. The new section will outline terms and conditions for a post graduate research permit.

Bruce A. Levy, M.D., J.D., Executive Director, Texas State Board of Medical Examiners, has determined that for the first five-year period the new section is in effect there will be no fiscal implications to state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the section as proposed.

Dr. Levy also has determined that for each year of the first five years the section as proposed is in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the section will be a new regulation regarding terms and conditions for a post graduate research permit. There will be no effect on small businesses. There are no anticipated economic costs to persons who are required to comply with the rule as proposed.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Pat Wood, P.O. Box 2018, MC-901, Austin, Texas 78768-2018. A public hearing will be held at a later date.

The new section is proposed under the Medical Practice Act, Texas Civil Statutes, Article 4495b, §2.09(a), which provides the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners with the authority to make rules, regulations and bylaws not inconsistent with this Act as may be necessary for the governing of its own proceedings, the performance of its duties, the regulation of the practice of medicine in this state, and the enforcement of this Act.

The Occupations Code, §155.105 is affected by the proposed rule.

§171.7.Post Graduate Research Permit.

The board may issue a permit to practice medicine to a medical school graduate, who holds a research appointment at a Texas medical school, in a program approved by the board, under the following terms and conditions listed in paragraphs (1)-(5) of this section.

(1)

The research must be in clinical medicine and/or the basic sciences of medicine.

(2)

The research must be conducted in the Texas medical school or its affiliated institutions.

(2)

The research appointment must be approved by the Dean of Medicine or by the President of the Health Science Center.

(3)

The research appointment must be supervised by a faculty member of the Texas medical school who has an active unrestricted Texas medical license.

(4)

The research appointment must be of good professional character as elaborated in the Medical Practice Act.

(5)

The Post Graduate Research Permit may be issued for a maximum of one year and is not renewable.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on February 14, 2000.

TRD-200001171

Bruce A. Levy, M.D., J.D.

Executive Director

Texas State Board of Medical Examiners

Earliest possible date of adoption: March 26, 2000

For further information, please call: (512) 305-7016


Chapter 174. TELEMEDICINE

22 TAC §174.3

The Texas State Board of Medical Examiners proposes an amendment to §174.3, concerning telemedicine. The amendment will allow the board to consider licensing a physician whose license from another state has been cancelled, suspended, or restricted for reasons other than disciplinary.

Bruce A. Levy, M.D., J.D., Executive Director, Texas State Board of Medical Examiners, has determined that for the first five-year period the amendment is in effect there will be no fiscal implications to state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the section as proposed.

Dr. Levy also has determined that for each year of the first five years the section as proposed is in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the section will be the allowance of the board to consider licensing a physician whose license from another state has been cancelled, suspended, or restricted for reasons other than disciplinary. There will be no effect on small businesses. There are no anticipated economic costs to persons who are required to comply with the rule as proposed.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Pat Wood, P.O. Box 2018, MC-901, Austin, Texas 78768-2018. A public hearing will be held at a later date.

The amendment is proposed under the Medical Practice Act, Texas Civil Statutes, Article 4495b, §2.09(a), which provides the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners with the authority to make rules, regulations and bylaws not inconsistent with this Act as may be necessary for the governing of its own proceedings, the performance of its duties, the regulation of the practice of medicine in this state, and the enforcement of this Act.

The Occupations Code, §151.056 is affected by the proposed rule.

§174.3.Qualifications for Special Purpose License for Practice of Medicine Across State Lines.

For a person to engage in the practice of medicine in Texas as defined under the Medical Practice Act, §3.06(i), and §174.2 of this title (relating to Definitions), the person must:

(1)

be 21 years of age or older;

(2)

be actively licensed to practice medicine in another state which is recognized by the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners for purposes of licensure [ by endorsement ], and the license [ for purposes of such endorsement ], as well as any other license currently held to practice medicine, must be without ongoing restrictions for cause or probation, for cause and without previous disciplinary actions or limitations of any kind for cause imposed by the state where the license was issued, and any other medical licenses previously held must not have been subject to such restrictions for cause , probation for cause , disciplinary actions or limitations of any kind for cause imposed by the state where the license was issued;

(3)

be certified in a medical specialty pursuant to the standards of and approved by the American Board of Medical Specialties or the Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists and Boards of Certification;

(4)

have passed the Texas Medical Jurisprudence Examination;

(5)

be in possession of a special purpose license issued pursuant to the terms of this chapter after submission of a completed board-approved application for a special purpose license for the practice of medicine across state lines and any requisite initial fee and subsequent annual renewal fees; and

(6)

not be ineligible for licensure under §174.5 of this title (relating to Denial of Application for Special Purpose License to Practice Medicine Across State Lines).

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on February 14, 2000.

TRD-200001172

Bruce A. Levy, M.D., J.D.

Executive Director

Texas State Board of Medical Examiners

Earliest possible date of adoption: March 26, 2000

For further information, please call: (512) 305-7016


Chapter 192. OFFICE-BASED ANESTHESIA

22 TAC §§192.1 - 192.6

The Texas State Board of Medical Examiners proposes new Chapter 192, §§192.1-192.6, concerning responsibilities of physicians providing, or overseeing by proper delegation, anesthesia services in outpatient settings and to provide the minimum acceptable standards for the provision of anesthesia services in outpatient settings, as mandated by Senate Bill 1340, 76th Legislature. These rules will protect the public by assuring that physicians adhere to acceptable standards in the provision of anesthesia services in office-based settings.

John S. Teer, General Counsel, Texas State Board of Medical Examiners, has determined that for the first five-year period the new sections are in effect there will be an effect on state and local government as a result of enforcing or administering the new sections as proposed. The following will be the cost: Fiscal Year 2000 probable revenue gain - $72,750; probable cost to implement - $33,750; Fiscal Year 2001 probable revenue gain - $98,000; probable cost to implement - $45,000; Fiscal Year 2002 probable revenue gain - $98,000; probable cost to implement - $45,000; Fiscal Year 2003 probable revenue gain - $98,000; probable cost to implement - $45,000; Fiscal Year 2004 probable revenue gain - $98,000; probable cost to implement - $45,000.

Mr. Teer also has determined that for each year of the first five years the new sections as proposed are in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the new sections will be protection to the public by assuring that physicians adhere to acceptable standards in the provision of anesthesia services in office-based settings. There will be no effect on small businesses. There are no anticipated economic costs to persons who are required to comply with the new sections as proposed.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Pat Wood, P.O. Box 2018, MC-901, Austin, Texas 78768-2018. A public hearing will be held at a later date.

The new sections are proposed under the authority of the Occupations Code, §153.001, which provides the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners to adopt rules and bylaws as necessary to: govern its own proceedings; perform its duties; regulate the practice of medicine in this state; and enforce this subtitle.

The Occupations Code, §153.001 is affected by the proposed new sections.

§192.1.Definitions.

The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meanings, unless the contents indicate otherwise.

(1)

Anesthesiologist's assistant - A graduate of an approved anesthesiologist's assistant training program.

(2)

Anesthesiology resident - A physician who is presently in an approved Texas anesthesiology residency program who is either licensed as a physician in Texas or holds a postgraduate resident permit issued by the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners.

(3)

Certified registered nurse anesthetist - A person licensed by the Board of Nurse Examiners for the State of Texas (BNE) as a registered professional nurse, authorized by the BNE as an advanced practice nurse in the role of nurse anesthetist, and certified by a national certifying body recognized by the BNE.

(4)

Monitored anesthesia care - Situations where a patient undergoing a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure receives doses of medication that create a risk of loss of normal protective reflexes or loss of consciousness and the patient remains able to protect the airway for the majority of the procedure. If, for an extended period of time, the patient is rendered unconscious and/or loses normal protective reflexes, then anesthesia care shall be considered a general anesthetic.

(5)

Outpatient setting - Any facility, clinic, center, office, or other setting that is not a part of a licensed hospital or a licensed ambulatory surgical center with the exception of all of the following listed in subparagraphs (A)-(D) of this paragraph:

(A)

a clinic located on land recognized as tribal land by the federal government and maintained or operated by a federally recognized Indian tribe or tribal organization as listed by the United States secretary of the interior under 25 U.S.C. §479-1 or as listed under a successor federal statute or regulation;

(B)

a facility maintained or operated by a state or governmental entity;

(C)

a clinic directly maintained or operated by the United States or by any of its departments, officers, or agencies; and

(D)

an outpatient setting accredited by either the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations relating to ambulatory surgical centers, the American Association for the Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities, or the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care.

(6)

Board - The Texas State Board of Medical Examiners.

(7)

Physician - A person licensed by the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners as a medical doctor or doctor of osteopathic medicine who diagnoses, treats, or offers to treat any disease or disorder, mental or physical, or any physical deformity or injury by any system or method or effects cures thereof and charges therefor, directly or indirectly, money or other compensation. "Physician" and "surgeon" shall be construed as synonymous.

§192.2.Provision of Anesthesia in Outpatient Settings.

(a)

The purpose of these rules is to identify the roles and responsibilities of physicians providing, or overseeing by proper delegation, anesthesia services in outpatient settings and to provide the minimum acceptable standards for the provision of anesthesia services in outpatient settings.

(b)

Beginning September 1, 2000, physicians shall comply with the rules promulgated under this title in order to be authorized to provide general anesthesia, regional anesthesia, or monitored anesthesia care in outpatient settings.

(c)

The rules promulgated under this title do not apply to physicians who practice in the following settings listed in paragraphs (1)-(8) of this subsection:

(1)

an outpatient setting in which only local anesthesia, peripheral nerve blocks, or both are used;

(2)

an outpatient setting in which only anxiolytics and analgesics are used and only in doses that do not have the significant probability of placing the patient at risk for loss of the patient's life-preserving protective reflexes;

(3)

a licensed hospital, including an outpatient facility of the hospital that is separately located apart from the hospital;

(4)

a licensed ambulatory surgical center;

(5)

a clinic located on land recognized as tribal land by the federal government and maintained or operated by a federally recognized Indian tribe or tribal organization as listed by the United States secretary of the interior under 25 U.S.C. §479-1 or as listed under a successor federal statute or regulation;

(6)

a facility maintained or operated by a state or governmental entity;

(7)

a clinic directly maintained or operated by the United States or by any of its departments, officers, or agencies; and

(8)

an outpatient setting accredited by:

(A)

the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations relating to ambulatory surgical centers;

(B)

the American Association for the Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities; or

(C)

the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care.

(d)

Physicians who practice medicine in this state and who administer anesthesia or perform a surgical procedure for which anesthesia services are provided in an outpatient settings shall follow current, applicable standards and guidelines as put forth by the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) including, but not limited to, the following listed in paragraphs (1)-(8) of this subsection:

(1)

Basic Standards for Preanesthesia Care;

(2)

Standards for Basic Anesthetic Monitoring;

(3)

Standards for Postanesthesia Care;

(4)

Position on Monitored Anesthesia Care;

(5)

The ASA Physical Status Classification System;

(6)

Guidelines for Nonoperating Room Anesthetizing Locations;

(7)

Guidelines for Ambulatory Anesthesia and Surgery; and

(8)

Guidelines for Office-Based Anesthesia.

(e)

A physician delegating the provision of anesthesia or anesthesia-related services to a certified registered nurse anesthetist shall be in compliance with ASA standards and guidelines when the certified registered nurse anesthetist provides a service specified in the ASA standards and guidelines to be provided by an anesthesiologist.

(f)

In an outpatient setting, where a physician has delegated to a certified registered nurse anesthetist the ordering of drugs and devices necessary for the nurse anesthetist to administer an anesthetic or an anesthesia-related service ordered by a physician, a certified registered nurse anesthetist may select, obtain and administer drugs, including determination of appropriate dosages, techniques and medical devices for their administration and in maintaining the patient in sound physiologic status. This order need not be drug-specific, dosage specific, or administration-technique specific. Pursuant to a physician's order for anesthesia or an anesthesia-related service, the certified registered nurse anesthetist may order anesthesia-related medications during perianesthesia periods in the preparation for or recovery from anesthesia. In providing anesthesia or an anesthesia-related service, the certified registered nurse anesthetist shall select, order, obtain and administer drugs which fall within categories of drugs generally utilized for anesthesia or anesthesia-related services and provide the concomitant care required to maintain the patient in sound physiologic status during those experiences.

(g)

The anesthesiologist or physician providing anesthesia or anesthesia-related services in an outpatient setting shall perform a pre-anesthetic evaluation, counsel the patient, and prepare the patient for anesthesia per current ASA standards. If the physician has delegated the provision of anesthesia or anesthesia-related services to a CRNA, the CRNA may perform those services within the scope of practice of the CRNA. Informed consent for the planned anesthetic intervention shall be obtained from the patient/legal guardian and maintained as part of the medical record. The consent must include explanation of the technique, expected results, and potential risks/complications. Appropriate pre-anesthesia diagnostic testing and consults shall be obtained per indications and assessment findings. Pre-anesthetic diagnostic testing and specialist consultation should be obtained as indicated by the pre-anesthetic evaluation by the anesthesiologist or suggested by the nurse anesthetist's pre-anesthetic assessment as reviewed by the surgeon. If responsibility for a patient's care is to be shared with other physicians or non-physician anesthesia providers, this arrangement should be explained to the patient.

(h)

Physiologic monitoring of the patient shall be determined by the type of anesthesia and individual patient needs. Minimum monitoring shall include continuous monitoring of ventilation, oxygenation, and cardiovascular status. Monitors shall include, but not be limited to, pulse oximetry and EKG continuously and non-invasive blood pressure to be measured at least every five minutes. If general anesthesia is utilized, then an O2 analyzer and end-tidal CO2 analyzer must also be used. A means to measure temperature shall be readily available and utilized for continuous monitoring when indicated per current ASA standards. An audible signal alarm device capable of detecting disconnection of any component of the breathing system shall be utilized. The patient shall be monitored continuously throughout the duration of the procedure. Postoperatively, the patient shall be evaluated by continuous monitoring and clinical observation until stable by a licensed health care provider. Monitoring and observations shall be documented per current ASA standards. In the event of an electrical outage which disrupts the capability to continuously monitor all specified patient parameters, at a minimum, heart rate and breath sounds will be monitored on a continuous basis using a precordial stethoscope or similar device, and blood pressure measurements will be reestablished using a non-electrical blood pressure measuring device until electricity is restored. There should be in each location, sufficient electrical outlets to satisfy anesthesia machine and monitoring equipment requirements, including clearly labeled outlets connected to an emergency power supply. A two-way communication source not dependent on electrical current shall be available. Sites shall also have a secondary power source as appropriate for equipment in use in case of power failure.

(i)

All anesthesia-related equipment and monitors shall be maintained to current operating room standards. All devices shall have regular service/maintenance checks at least annually or per manufacturer recommendations. Service/maintenance checks shall be performed by appropriately qualified biomedical personnel. Prior to the administration of anesthesia, all equipment/monitors shall be checked using the current FDA recommendations as a guideline. Records of equipment checks shall be maintained in a separate, dedicated log which must be made available upon request. Documentation of any criteria deemed to be substandard shall include a clear description of the problem and the intervention. If equipment is utilized despite the problem, documentation must clearly indicate that patient safety is not in jeopardy. All documentation relating to equipment shall be maintained for seven years or for a period of time as determined by the board.

(j)

Each location must have emergency supplies immediately available. Supplies should include emergency drugs and equipment appropriate for the purpose of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. This must include a defibrillator, difficult airway equipment, and drugs and equipment necessary for the treatment of malignant hyperthermia if "triggering agents" associated with malignant hyperthermia are used or if the patient is at risk for malignant hyperthermia. Equipment shall be appropriately sized for the patient population being served. Resources for determining appropriate drug dosages shall be readily available. The emergency supplies shall be maintained and inspected by qualified personnel for presence and function of all appropriate equipment and drugs at intervals established by protocol to ensure that equipment is functional and present, drugs are not expired, and office personnel are familiar with equipment and supplies. Records of emergency supply checks shall be maintained in a separate, dedicated log and made available upon request. Records of emergency supply checks shall be maintained for seven years or for a period of time as determined by the board.

(k)

The operating surgeon shall verify that the appropriate policies or procedures are in place. Policies, procedure, or protocols shall be evaluated and reviewed at least annually. Agreements with local emergency medical service (EMS) shall be in place for purposes of transfer of patients to the hospital in case of an emergency. EMS agreements shall be evaluated and re-signed at least annually. Policies, procedure, and transfer agreements shall be kept on file in the setting where procedures are performed and shall be made available upon request. Policies or procedures must include, but are not limited to the following listed in paragraphs (1)-(2) of this subsection:

(1)

Management of outpatient anesthesia. At a minimum, these must address:

(A)

patient selection criteria;

(B)

patients/providers with latex allergy;

(C)

pediatric drug dosage calculations, where applicable;

(D)

ACLS (advanced cardiac life support) or PALS (pediatric advanced life support) algorithms;

(E)

infection control;

(F)

documentation and tracking use of pharmaceuticals, including controlled substances, expired drugs and wasting of drugs; and

(G)

discharge criteria.

(2)

Management of emergencies. At a minimum, these must include, but not be limited to:

(A)

cardiopulmonary emergencies;

(B)

fire;

(C)

bomb threat;

(D)

chemical spill; and

(E)

natural disasters.

(l)

Operating surgeons or anesthesiologists shall maintain current competency in ACLS, PALS, or a course approved by the board. In all settings under these rules, at a minimum, at least two persons, including the surgeon or anesthesiologist, shall maintain current competency in basic life support.

(m)

Physicians or surgeons must notify the board in writing within 15 days if a procedure performed in any of the settings under these rules resulted in an unanticipated and unplanned transport of the patient to a hospital for observation or treatment for a period in excess of 24 hours, or a patient's death intraoperatively or within the immediate postoperative period. Immediate postoperative period is defined as 72 hours.

§192.3.Compliance with Office-Based Anesthesia Rules.

(a)

On or after August 31, 2000, a physician who practices medicine in this state and who administers anesthesia or performs a surgical procedure for which anesthesia services are provided in an outpatient setting shall comply with the rules adopted under this title.

(b)

The board may require a physician to submit and comply with a corrective action plan to remedy or address any current or potential deficiencies with the physician's provision of anesthesia in a outpatient setting in accordance with the Medical Practice Act, Article 4495b, Texas Revised Civil Statutes, or rules of the board.

(c)

Any physician who violates these rules shall be subject to disciplinary action and/or termination of the registration issued by the board as authorized by the Medical Practice Act, Article 4495b, Texas Revised Civil Statutes.

§192.4.Annual Registration.

(a)

Beginning September 1, 2000, the board shall require each physician who administers anesthesia or performs a surgical procedure for which anesthesia services are provided in an outpatient setting to annually register with the board on a form prescribed by the board and to pay a fee to the board in an amount established by the board.

(b)

The board shall coordinate the registration required under this section with the registration required under the Medical Practice Act, Article 4495b, Texas Revised Civil Statutes, §3.01, so that the times of registration, payment, notice, and imposition of penalties for late payment are similar and provide a minimum of administrative burden to the board and to physicians.

§192.5.Inspections.

(a)

The board may conduct inspections to enforce these rules, including inspections of an office site and of documents of a physician's practice that relate to the provision of anesthesia in an outpatient setting. The board may contract with another state agency or qualified person to conduct these inspections.

(b)

Unless it would jeopardize an ongoing investigation, the board shall provide at least five business days' notice before conducting an on-site inspection under this section. (c) This section does not require the board to make an on-site inspection of a physician's office.

§192.6.Requests for Inspection and Advisory Opinion.

(a)

The board may consider a request by a physician for an on-site inspection. The board may, in its discretion and on payment of a fee in an amount established by the board, conduct the inspection and issue an advisory opinion.

(b)

An advisory opinion issued by the board under this section is no binding on the board, and the board, except as provided by subsection (c) of this section, may take any action under the Medical Practice Act, Article 4495b, Texas Revised Civil Statutes, in relation to the situation addressed by the advisory opinion that the board considers appropriate.

(c)

A physician who requests and relies on an advisory opinion of the board may use the opinion as mitigating evidence in an action or proceeding to impose an administrative or civil penalty under the Medical Practice Act, Article 4495b, Texas Revised Civil Statutes. The board or court, as appropriate, shall take proof of reliance on an advisory opinion into consideration and mitigate the imposition of administrative or civil penalties accordingly.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on February 14, 2000.

TRD-200001180

Bruce A. Levy, M.D., J.D.

Executive Director

Texas State Board of Medical Examiners

Earliest possible date of adoption: March 26, 2000

For further information, please call: (512) 305-7016


Part 16. TEXAS BOARD OF PHYSICAL THERAPY EXAMINERS

Chapter 321. DEFINITIONS

22 TAC §321.1

The Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners proposes an amendment to §321.1, Definitions. The amendment will add definitions for two terms which are used in the rules, but which are not defined.

John P. Maline, Executive Director of the Executive Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Examiners, has determined that for the first five-year period the rule is in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the rule.

Mr. Maline also has determined that for each year of the first five years the rule is in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the rule will be clarification of terms used in the PT rules. There will be no effect on small businesses. There are no anticipated economic costs to persons who are required to comply with the rule as proposed.

Comments on the proposed amendment may be submitted to Nina Hurter, PT Coordinator, Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners, 333 Guadalupe, Suite 2-510, Austin, Texas, 78701; email: nhurter@mail.capnet.state.tx.us.

The amendment is proposed under the Physical Therapy Practice Act, Title 3, Subtitle H, Chapter 453, Occupations Code, which provides the Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners with the authority to adopt rules consistent with this Act to carry out its duties in administering this Act.

Title 3, Subtitle H, Chapter 453, Occupations Code is affected by this amended section.

§321.1.Definitions.

The following words, terms, and phrases, when used in the rules of the Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

(1)-(3)

(No change.)

(4)

Board-approved--A term denoting an organization or entity to which the board has formally delegated a role in the licensure, regulation or enforcement functions of the Physical Therapy Practice Act and board rules, or the product of those organizations or entities.

(5)

[ (4) ] Emergency circumstances--Instances where emergency medical care is called for, including first aid.

(6)

[ (5) ] Emergency medical care--Bona fide emergency services provided after the sudden onset of a medical condition manifesting itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity, including severe pain, such that the absence of immediate medical attention could reasonably be expected to result in placing the patient's health in serious jeopardy, serious impairment to bodily functions, or serious dysfunction of any bodily organ or part.

(7)

[ (6) ] Evidence satisfactory to the board--Should all official school records be destroyed, sworn affidavits satisfactory to the board must be received from three persons having personal knowledge of the applicant's physical therapy education. These affidavits will not be used when official school records are available.

(8)

[ (7) ] Foreign-trained applicant--Any applicant whose education is from a country outside the United States, the District of Columbia, or Territories of the United States.

(9)

[ (8) ] Hearing--An adjudicative proceeding concerning the issuance, denial, suspension, reprimand, revocation of license, after which the legal rights of an applicant or licensee are to be determined by the board.

(10)

Jurisprudence exam--An open-book examination made up of multiple-choice or true/false questions covering information contained in the Texas Physical Therapy Practice Act and Board rules.

(11)

[ (9) ] On-site supervision--The physical therapist or physical therapist assistant is on the premises and readily available to respond.

(12)

[ (10) ] Physical therapy--The evaluation, examination, and utilization of exercises, rehabilitative procedures, massage, manipulations, and physical agents including, but not limited to, mechanical devices, heat, cold, air, light, water, electricity, and sound in the aid of diagnosis or treatment. Physical therapists may perform evaluations without referrals. Physical therapy practice includes the use of modalities, procedures, and tests to make evaluations. Physical therapy practice includes, but is not limited to the use of: Electromyographic (EMG) Tests, Nerve Conduction Velocity (NCV) Tests, Thermography, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), bed traction, application of topical medication to open wounds, sharp debridement, provision of soft goods, inhibitive casting and splinting, Phonophoresis, Iontophoresis, and biofeedback services.

(13)

[ (11) ] Supervision--The delegation and continuing direction by a person or persons responsible for the practice of physical therapist, physical therapist assistant, or physical therapy aide as specified in the Physical Therapy Practice Act.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State, on February 8, 2000.

TRD-200000982

John P. Maline

Executive Director

Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners

Earliest possible date of adoption: March 26, 2000

For further information, please call: (512) 305-6900


Chapter 322. PRACTICE

22 TAC §322.3

The Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners proposes an amendment to §322.3, concerning Supervision. The amendment will clarify that it is the professional responsibility of the licensee to determine the number of extenders he or she can safely supervise.

John P. Maline, Executive Director of the Executive Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Examiners, has determined that for the first five-year period the rule is in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the rule.

Mr. Maline also has determined that for each year of the first five years the rule is in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the rule will be added assurance that physical therapy personnel receive adequate supervision. There will be no effect on small businesses. There are no anticipated economic costs to persons who are required to comply with the rule as proposed.

Comments on the proposed amendment may be submitted to Nina Hurter, PT Coordinator, Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners, 333 Guadalupe, Suite 2-510, Austin, Texas, 78701; email: nhurter@mail.capnet.state.tx.us.

The amendment is proposed under the Physical Therapy Practice Act, Title 3, Subtitle H, Chapter 453, Occupations Code, which provides the Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners with the authority to adopt rules consistent with this Act to carry out its duties in administering this Act.

Title 3, Subtitle H, Chapter 453, Occupations Code is affected by this amended section.

§322.3.Supervision.

(a)

It is the responsibility of each PT and/or PTA to determine the number of PTAs and/or aides he or she can supervise safely.

(b)

[ (a) ] Supervision of PTAs

(1)

A supervising PT is responsible for and will participate in the patient's care.

(2)

A supervising PT must be on call and readily available when physical therapy services are being provided.

(3)

A PT may assign responsibilities to a PTA to provide physical therapy services, based on the PTA's training, that are within the scope of activities listed in §322.1, Provision of Services.

(c)

[ (b) ] Supervision of physical therapy aides

(1)

A supervising PT or PTA is responsible for the supervision of, and the physical therapy services provided by, the PT aide.

(2)

A PT or PTA must provide onsite supervision of a physical therapy aide, and remain within reasonable proximity during the aide's interaction with the patient.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State, on February 8, 2000.

TRD-200000981

John P. Maline

Executive Director

Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners

Earliest possible date of adoption: March 26, 2000

For further information, please call: (512) 305-6900


Part 23. TEXAS REAL ESTATE COMMISSION

Chapter 535. PROVISIONS OF THE REAL ESTATE LICENSE ACT

Subchapter G. MANDATORY CONTINUING EDUCATION

22 TAC §§535.71 - 535.73

The Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) proposes amendments to §§535.71-535.73, concerning mandatory continuing education (MCE) for real estate licensees.

Under Texas Civil Statutes, Article 6573a, §7A, (the Act), TREC is authorized to approve providers to offer MCE courses to licensees. Real estate licensees who are subject to MCE requirements must complete 15 hours of courses every two years to renew a license on active status. Sections 535.71-535.73 provide guidelines for the regulation of MCE providers by TREC. The proposed amendments generally are intended to eliminate unnecessary restrictions on providers, to reduce the amount of paperwork required of applicants or providers and to clarify examination requirements for courses offered by correspondence or by alternative education delivery methods, such as by computer.

The amendment to §535.71 addresses the process by which MCE providers, courses and instructors are approved by TREC. The amendment would modify the definition of the term "hour" to reflect that a credit hour for all forms of education is based on 50 minutes. The term "proctor" has been added to the list of definitions to provide examples of persons who may be approved by TREC to proctor course examinations. The term "hour" is redefined as 50 minutes of session time, to be consistent with the rest of the rules. To streamline the process for new providers, a person would be permitted to apply for an MCE providership without submitting course materials at that time. A separate MCE instructor approval process for each course is deleted, because inspectors will qualify under other TREC rules governing approval of instructors for accredited schools. The rules are simplified by referring to the TREC manual for creating an MCE course, now identified as MCE form 13-0, rather than by specifying requirements in the section. Persons who hold a CREI designation issued by the Texas Association of Real Estate Teachers or DREI designation issued by the National Association of Real Estate Educators would deemed to have satisfied the requirements for instructor approval. The process for approving the instructor for a single course offering would be simplified by permitting the provider to submit a resume for the instructor, rather than completing a form. The full fee, currently $100, would required for all course applications; under the current section, one-half the fee is charged if the course is to be offered for less than one year. The amendment also would require a provider to furnish each student with an itemized statement for fees for supplies, materials or books before the student registers for the course. A requirement that all fees be stated in the advertisements for the course would be deleted. The amendment also would clarify that correspondence courses may be offered only by colleges or universities accredited by a regional accrediting association, such as the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, or equivalent, and that the examination for a correspondence MCE course must be a proctored written examination. Requirements for machine or computer grading of written course work and examinations for correspondence or alternative delivery method courses would be clarified. Written course work for correspondence courses must be graded either by the instructor or by the provider's coordinator/director, using answer keys approved by the instructor or provider. Correspondence final exams must be graded by the instructor, or, if the exam is graded mechanically or by use of a computer, by the provider, using answer keys approved by the instructor or provider. Alternative delivery method courses may be graded by the instructor, or by the provider's coordinator/director .The examination for an alternative delivery course, such as a course offered by computer, must be administered under controlled conditions to positively identify students, at a location and by an official approved by the commission. To provide flexibility to providers, a current provision requiring each correspondence course to prove 15 hours of instruction would be deleted.

The amendment to §535.72 address the presentation of courses, advertising and records. Providers would be required to file course schedules and course schedule changes. Providers would be required to make every reasonable effort not to give course credit to students who persist in disruptive behavior after being cautioned to cease. The prohibition against holding courses in a broker's office would be eliminated, but courses would have to be offered in a location conducive to instruction that is separate and apart from the work area, such as a classroom, training room, conference room, or assembly hall. Providers would be prohibited from promoting the sale of goods of services only during class presentations. The number of prior approvals for changes in a provider's operation would be reduced; only a change in ownership of a provider would require prior TREC approval. Changes in business name, street or mailing address, persons responsible for records, and other changes would only be reported. Instructor course credits would be limited to the portion of the course taught by the instructor, although the instructor may obtain full credit by attending all the course. At the student's option, a provider would be authorized to credit the student for another course of equal or greater credit hours if the original course is canceled.

The amendment to §535.73 addresses compliance and enforcement. Provisions for audits and enforcement would be modified to be consistent with those recently adopted for accredited schools. Commission employees would be authorized to file complaints against providers and instructors if documents filed with the commission provides reasonable cause to believe a violation of the rules had occurred, and providers and instructors would be obligated to cooperate with TREC in an audit or investigation and to provide documents or information requested by the commission.

Mark A. Moseley, general counsel, has determined that for the first five-year period the sections are in effect there will be fiscal implications for the state as a result of enforcing or administering the sections. Revenue from filings of course offerings would increase by an estimated $1,000 in FY 2000 and for each of the five years thereafter. There are no anticipated fiscal implications for units of local government. There is no anticipated impact on small businesses, micro businesses or local or state employment as a result of implementing the sections.

Mr. Moseley also has determined that for each year of the first five years the sections as proposed are in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the sections will be greater ease in reading and following TREC rules and an enhancement of the educational process for licensees. There is no anticipated economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the proposed sections.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Mark A. Moseley, General Counsel, Texas Real Estate Commission, P.O. Box 12188, Austin, Texas 78711-2188.

The sections are proposed under Texas Civil Statutes, Article 6573a, §5(h), which authorize the Texas Real Estate Commission to make and enforce all rules and regulations necessary for the performance of its duties.

The statute which is affected by this proposal is Texas Civil Statutes, Article 6573a.

§535.71.Mandatory Continuing Education: Approval of Providers, Courses and Instructors.

(a)

The following words and terms, when used in these sections, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

(1)-(2)

(No change.)

(3)

Hour [ Classroom hour ] - Fifty minutes of actual [ classroom ] session time.

(4)-(8)

(No change.)

(9)

Proctor- A person who monitors a final examination for a course offered by a provider under the guidelines contained in this section. A proctor may be a course instructor, the provider, an employee of a college or university testing center, a librarian, or other person approved by the commission.

(10)

[ (9) ] Provider- A person approved by the Texas Real Estate Commission to offer courses for which mandatory continuing education credit is given.

(11)

[ (10) ] Student- An individual taking an MCE course for credit.

(b)

A person who wishes to offer courses accepted by the commission for MCE credit shall apply to the commission for approval to be an MCE provider and for approval of each MCE course [ and instructor ] using application forms prepared by the commission. The commission may refuse to accept any application which is not complete or which is not accompanied by the appropriate filing fee. Each prospective provider shall submit a provider application[ , at least one course and instructor application ] and at least one principal information form. Only instructors approved by the commission for that subject area [ a particular course ] may teach that course [ , and providers must apply for approval of additional instructors ]. [ Approval must be sought for each course offered by each provider and for each instructor, unless the course or instructor has been previously approved by the commission for use by another provider. ]

(c)

The commission adopts by reference the following forms published and available from the commission, P.O. Box 12188, Austin, Texas, 78711-2188:

(1)-(6)

(No change.)

[ (7)

MCE Form 4A-2, MCE Instructor Application;]

[ (8)

MCE Form 4B-2, MCE Instructor Application Supplement;]

(7)

[ (9) ] MCE Form 8-3, MCE Course Completion Roster;

(8)

[ (10) ] MCE Form 9-3, Alternative Instructional Methods Reporting Form;

(9)

[ (11) ]MCE Form 10-0, MCE Out of State Course Credit Request;

(10)

[ (12) ]MCE Form 11-3, MCE Instructor Credit Request;

(11)

[ (13) ]MCE Form 12-1, Individual MCE Credit Request for State Bar Course; [ and ]

(12)

[ (14) ]MCE Form 12A-0, Provider MCE Credit Request for State Bar Course; and

(13)

MCE Form 13-0 , Guidelines for Creating a Course Instructor's Manual for Mandatory Continuing Education Courses.

(d)

To be approved as an MCE provider, a person must satisfy the commission as to the person's ability to administer with honesty, trustworthiness and integrity a course of continuing education in MCE subjects approved by the commission. If the person proposes to employ independent contractors to conduct or to administer the courses, any independent contractor named in the application must meet this standard as if the independent contractor were the applicant ; however, the applicant is responsible for responding to communications from the commission relating to the application .

(e)

To be approved to offer a [ classroom ] course for MCE credit, the provider must satisfy the commission that the course subject matter is appropriate for a continuing education course for real estate licensees and that the information provided in the course will be current and accurate.

(1)

A provider applicant must submit an MCE Form 3A-1, MCE Course Application, the first time approval is sought to offer an MCE course. [ Once a course has been approved, no further approval is required for another approved provider to offer the same course. ] Prior to advertising or offering a [ the ] course offered by another provider[ , however, ] the subsequent provider shall complete MCE Form 3B-2, file the form with the commission and receive written [ or oral ] acknowledgment from the commission that all necessary documentation has been filed. Providers shall submit an instructor's manual for each proposed course. The commission may require a copy of the previously approved instructor's manual to be submitted for each previously approved course the provider intends to offer. Subsequent providers shall offer the course as originally approved or as revised with the approval of the commission and shall use all materials required in the original or revised course. [ The commission will publish guidelines to aid providers in the development of instructor manuals. ] Each course must comply with the applicable guidelines contained in MCE Form 13-0. [ Each manual must contain the following: ]

[ (A)

course description;]

[ (B)

learning objectives;]

[ (C)

evaluation techniques;]

[ (D)

outline of the subject matter;]

[ (E)

instructional strategies in addition to lecture (at least one for a three hour course and at least three for 15 hours of instruction);]

[ (F)

course participant handouts; and]

[ (G)

bibliography or source of updated subject matter.]

(2)

The commission may approve a course for a single offering without regard to the requirements of paragraph (1) of this subsection. The provider must submit MCE Form, 3C-1, MCE Single Course Offering Application and receive written authorization from the commission to offer the course prior to offering the course. [ The provider must be approved by the commission in accordance with the provisions of this section. ] The course may not be offered again [ during a providership ] unless the course has been approved by the commission for subsequent offerings [ by the original provider ] in accordance with the provisions of this section. [ The provider must submit MCE Form, 3C-1, MCE Single Course Offering Application. ]

(f)

To be approved as an instructor of any MCE course, a person must satisfy the commission as to the person's competency in the subject matter to be taught and ability to teach effectively. If the person is not currently approved by the commission to teach the subject areas of the course, the person [ An instructor applicant ] must submit Form ED 4-0, Instructor Application, and meet the requirements of §535.64(i) of this title (relating to Accreditation of Schools and Approval of Courses and Instructors) [ through the proposed provider an MCE Form 4A-2, MCE Instructor Application, the first time approval is sought to teach an MCE course ]. A person who has received a credential as a certified real estate instructor (CREI) or designated real estate instructor (DREI) will be deemed to have met the requirements of §535.64(i). [ For subsequent approval to teach a different course, an MCE Form 4B-2, MCE Instructor Application Supplement, must be submitted. Once an instructor has been approved to teach a course, no further approval is required for the instructor to teach the same course for another provider, although the subsequent provider must complete MCE Form 4B-2 and file the form with the commission prior to using the instructor in the course. ]

[ (1)

Each person approved as an instructor must also meet the following requirements:]

[ (A)

a college degree in the subject area or five years professional experience in the subject area; and ]

[ (B)

three years experience in teaching or training; or ]

[ (C)

the equivalent of subparagraphs (A) and (B) of this paragraph as determined by the commission after due consideration of the applicant's professional experience, research, authorship or other significant endeavors in the subject area; and ]

[ (D)

attendance at any training program offered by the commission which the commission has determined significantly relates to the subject the person is applying to teach (in lieu of attendance, the person may certify in writing that the person has viewed a videotape of the program or received the training in a manner acceptable to the commission).]

[ (2) ]

The commission may also approve an instructor for a single offering of a course. The provider must submit an MCE Form 3C-1, MCE Single Course Offering Application, and provide a resume to show that the proposed instructor is qualified to teach the subject matter [ and provide additional information about the instructor's qualifications at the commission's request ].

(g)

(No change.)

(h)

Fees shall be established by the commission in accordance with the provisions of the Act, §7A, at such times as the commission deems appropriate. Fees are not refundable and must be submitted in the form of a check or money order, or, in the case of state agencies, colleges or universities, in a form of payment acceptable to the commission.[ If a provider seeks approval to offer a course previously approved for another provider, and less than one year remains for the course to be offered, the filing fee shall be one-half the current fee for approval of a course. Provided, however, the full current fee is required for an application for approval of a single course offering. ]

(i)-(k)

(No change.)

(l)

A course must be devoted to one or more of the subjects specified under the course titles in the Act, §7(a)(2)-(4) and §7(a)(7)-(10), to real estate professionalism and ethics or to other subjects approved by the commission for MCE credit. MCE courses must be presentations of relevant issues and changes within the subject areas as they apply to the practice of real estate in the current market or topics which increase or support the licensee's development of skill and competence. [ The commission shall periodically publish lists of subjects other than legal topics which are approved for MCE credit. ] Courses approved by the commission for core real estate course credit [ prelicensing education or salesperson annual education requirements ] provided in the Act, §7(d)-(e), may be accepted for satisfying MCE requirements provided the student files a course completion certificate with the commission [ an MCE Form 13, MCE Credit Request for Core Courses, and course meets all of the requirements of the commission for core real estate course credit, and ] MCE courses may be accepted by the commission as real estate related courses for satisfying the education requirements of §7(d)-(e) of the Act. [ The commission may not approve a course which promotes the sale of goods or services by the provider or by a vendor affiliated or associated with the provider. Providers may sell educational materials, such as textbooks or recordings, related to the subjects of the course. ] Courses related to technology, such as the use of personal computers, must be primarily devoted to the application of technology to the practice of the licensee.

(m)

Providers must furnish students with copies, for students' permanent use, of any printed material which is the basis for a significant portion of the course. Ample space must be provided on handouts for notetaking or completion of any written exercises. If a provider charges fees for supplies, materials, or books needed in course work, the fees must be itemized in a written statement provided to each student by the provider before the student registers for the course .

(n)

(No change.)

(o)

Unless withdrawn earlier for cause as provided by these sections, a provider's authority to offer courses for which MCE credit is given expires two years from the date the provider is approved by the commission. Authority to offer any MCE courses ends with the expiration of the provider's approval, and the provider must pay current fees and reapply for approval as a provider in order to offer MCE courses again. A course approved by the commission may be offered by the provider for a period of two years after the course is approved or until the provider's authority to act as a provider finally expires or is withdrawn for cause, whichever first occurs. If a course was originally approved for another provider, the two year period of approved use is measured from the date of approval for the original provider. A provider may apply for approval to be a provider for another two years no sooner than six months prior to the expiration of existing provider approval. [ Instructors may be approved to teach a course at any time during the duration of the provider's approval for that course. ] An instructor's approval expires every five years as provided by §535.64 of this title (relating to Accreditation of Schools and Approval of Courses and Instructors) [ to teach a course expires with the expiration or withdrawal of approval of that course. ]

(p)

Correspondence courses. The commission may approve a provider to offer an MCE course by correspondence subject to the following conditions:

(1)

the course must be offered by a college or university accredited by a regional accrediting association, such as the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, or its equivalent, [ an accredited college or university as defined in §535.61 of this title (relating to Examinations and Acceptance of Courses) ] which offers correspondence courses, whether credit or noncredit, in other disciplines;

(2)

(No change.)

(3)

students receiving MCE credit for the course must pass a proctored written examination administered [ on the campus of a college or university ] under controlled conditions to positively identified students,[ or ] at a location and by an official approved by the commission;

[ (4)

the course must be approved by the commission as providing 15 hours of MCE credit, at least six hours of which must be in legal topics; and]

(4)

[ (5) ] written course work required of students must be graded by an approved instructor or the provider's coordinator or director, who is available to answer students' questions or provide assistance as necessary, using answer keys approved by the instructor or provider; and [ only approved instructors may grade the course. ]

(5)

final examinations must be graded by the instructor or, if the examination is being graded mechanically or by use of a computer, by the provider, using answer keys approved by the instructor or provider.

(q)

[ To be approved to offer a correspondence course for MCE credit, the provider must satisfy the commission that the course subject matter is appropriate for a continuing education course for real estate licensees and that the information provided in the course will be current and accurate. ] An applicant must submit an MCE Form 3A-1, MCE Course Application, the first time approval is sought to offer a MCE correspondence course. Once a course has been approved, no further approval is required for another approved provider to offer the same course. Prior to advertising or offering the course, however, the subsequent provider must complete MCE Form 3B-2, file the form together with the appropriate fee with the commission and receive written [ or oral ] acknowledgment from the commission that all necessary documentation has been filed. [ The commission will publish guidelines to aid providers in the development of correspondence courses. ] Each correspondence course must contain the following:

(1)-(8)

(No change.)

(r)

The commission may accept courses offered by alternative delivery methods subject to the following conditions.

(1)-(3)

(No change.)

(4)

An approved instructor or [ and/or ] the provider's coordinator/director shall grade the written course work required of students in independent study courses.

(5)

Every provider offering an approved course under this subsection shall offer those courses under an approved instructor [ or provider ] who shall:

(A)-(B)

(No change.)

(C)

certify students as successfully completing an independent study only if the student;

(i)

has completed all instructional modules required to demonstrate mastery of the material;

(ii)

has attended any hours of live instruction and/or testing required for a given course; and

(iii)

has passed a proctored final examination administered under controlled conditions to positively identified students, at a location and by an official approved by the commission and graded by the instructor or, if the examination is being graded mechanically or by use of a computer, by the provider, using answer keys approved by the instructor or provider [ in a secure setting ].

§535.72.Mandatory Continuing Education: Presentation of Courses, Advertising and Records.

(a)

Providers shall [ are not required to ] file course schedules with the commission.

(b)

Providers shall [ are not required to ] notify the commission of changes to their course schedules.

(c)

The provider offering each MCE course shall file an MCE Course Completion Roster, MCE Form 8-3 with the commission within 10 days following completion of the course. Course completion rosters may be transmitted for filing by facsimile machine. An authorized representative of the provider who was in attendance and for whom an authorized signature exemplar is on file with the commission shall sign MCE Form 8-3. Providers are responsible for the security of the course completion rosters. The commission shall [ may ] not accept signature stamps, unsigned forms or forms signed by persons for whom an authorized signature exemplar has not been previously filed with the commission. Providers must make every reasonable effort to ensure that no student is certified for MCE credit who has not attended all class sessions. While a provider is expected to ensure that each student is present in the classroom for the hours of time for which credit is awarded, this section is not intended to penalize students who must leave the classroom for brief periods of time for personal reasons such as taking medication or responding to the call of nature. Providers shall make every reasonable effort to ensure that no student is given course credit if the student persists in disrupting the orderly conduct of a class after being cautioned by the provider or the instructor to cease disruptive behavior. Providers may not use students for administration or monitoring duties during the course if the use prevents the student's participation in a significant portion of the course.

[ (d)

Providers are responsible for the security of the course completion rosters.]

(d)

[ (e) ]Providers of MCE correspondence or alternative delivery method courses shall furnish each student with an Alternative Instructional Methods Reporting Form, MCE Form 9-3, at the time of the final examination. Upon successful completion of the examination the student shall sign MCE Form 9-3. To report successful course completion the provider shall file the completed MCE Form 9-3 with the commission.

(e)

[ (f) ]A provider shall, prior to commencement of a course, announce that the provider will not certify a student for MCE credit unless the student attends all sessions of the course, that partial credit will not be given for partial attendance, that no makeups or written work will be allowed for MCE credit, and that the student must determine if the course is timely and appropriate for the student's MCE requirement. [ In addition to the pre-course announcements, the provider is encouraged to require each student to sign an enrollment agreement containing the foregoing information prior to the start of the course. ] If the provider has not advertised or otherwise made students aware of the provider's refund policy, the pre-course announcement [ enrollment agreement ] must also contain the refund policy. [ One hour of credit may be given for 50 clock minutes of actual classroom session time. ] The provider may allow a ten-minute break for every 50 minutes of [ classroom ] session time, but a break must be given at least every two hours, using all accumulated break time.[ A provider shall retain attendance records for the period of time required by these sections for the retention of provider records. ]

(f)

[ (g) ] Facilities used by providers for classroom presentations must be adequate to accommodate students. Providers shall ensure each student has seating, a writing surface and writing materials. Rigid tablets or clipboards may be provided as a writing surface.

(g)

[ (h) ] [ Providers may not present MCE courses in the offices of a real estate brokerage firm or real estate franchise organization. ] All MCE courses must be open to enrollment by the general public. Providers may give preference in enrollment to persons who need MCE credit to obtain, renew or activate a license and may enroll all others on a space available basis. For a classroom course, the provider must offer the course in a location conducive to instruction that is separate and apart from the work area, such as a classroom, training room, conference room, or assembly hall.

(h)

[ (i) ] Advertising of MCE shall be subject to the following conditions.

(1)

A provider applicant may not advertise a specific MCE course or represent in advertising that the applicant is a provider until the applicant has received written approval from the commission for the providership and at least one course. A provider applicant may advertise an intention to offer MCE courses if no specific course is described and the advertisement clearly indicates the applicant has not been approved as a provider.

(2)

A provider may not advertise that a course has been approved or offer a course until the provider has received written approval of the course.[ If, however, the course has been previously approved for another provider, the course may be advertised once the commission has been notified of the provider's intention to offer the same course and the provider has received written or oral acknowledgment from the commission that all necessary documentation has been filed. ]

(3)

Any advertisement or promotional material used by a provider must indicate the MCE provider's name or assumed business name as reflected in the commission's records and the MCE provider number assigned by the commission. The advertisement or promotional material also must include either the specific MCE course numbers and course titles or a statement that MCE course numbers and titles are available from the provider. When a provider offers a course that is hosted by another person or organization, the advertisement or promotional material must show clearly that the approved MCE provider is offering the course.

(4)

A provider may not publish advertisements which are misleading or which are likely to deceive the public.

(5)

Any name a provider uses in advertising must not be deceptively similar to the name of any other approved MCE provider or school accredited by the commission or falsely imply a governmental relationship.

(6)

Any written advertisement which contains a fee charged by the provider shall display all fees for the course in the same place in the advertisement and with the same degree of prominence. If a provider requires students to purchase course materials which are not included in the tuition, any such fees must appear in the advertisement of the course.

(i)

[ (j) ] Providers shall retain student attendance records for a period of three years following the completion of a course and shall make copies of the records available to former students. A provider may charge a reasonable fee to defray the cost of copying student records. A provider's records must be kept at the location designated in the MCE Provider Application. Providers must obtain prior approval from the commission to change the location at which the provider's records are kept.

(j)

[ (k) ] Providers of MCE courses are responsible to the commission for the conduct and administration of each course presentation, the punctuality of classroom sessions, verification of student attendance, and instructor performance. Providers shall ensure that the courses are administered in substantially the same manner as represented in the application for approval of the course. Instructors must teach a course in substantially the same manner represented to the commission in the instructor's manual filed with the application for course approval. During the presentation of a course, providers may not promote the sale of goods or services by the provider or by a vendor affiliated or associated with the provider.

(k)

[ (l) ] A provider shall update course materials during the period of time an MCE course may be given to ensure that current and accurate information is provided to students. Updates shall be considered changes to course content which do not alter the accuracy of the course outline. Revisions of the course outline must be filed with the commission prior to implementation, and the commission may direct a provider to revise the materials further or cease use of materials.

(l)

[ (m) ] In the event of a change of ownership, the provider must obtain approval from the commission prior to the change, and proposed new owners shall submit an MCE Form 2-2, Principal Information Form. Providers shall report a change in [ request permission to change ] business name, street or mailing address, [ ownership, ] person responsible for records or day-to-day operations, or persons authorized to sign MCE forms at least 15 days prior to the desired date of change. Providers shall report any change in refund policy, attorney-in-fact, address of attorney-in-fact or business telephone number as the change occurs. [ All changes must be submitted on MCE Form 1B-1, MCE Provider Application Supplement. ]

[ (n)

A provider or instructor shall fully assist any employee of the commission engaged in the performance of an audit or investigation of a complaint and shall provide records in his possession for examination by the commission or provide such information as is requested by the commission within 15 days of receiving a request for examination of records or information.]

(m)

[ (o) ] Providers may request MCE credit be given to instructors of MCE courses subject to the following guidelines.

(1)

The instructors may receive credit for only those portions of the course which they teach by filing a completed MCE Form 11-3, Instructor Credit Request.

(2)

The instructors may receive full course credit by attending all of the remainder of the course and signing the course completion roster .

[ (3)

MCE credit may be granted only once for teaching or attending the same course during the term of the current license or during the term of the current license or during the two year period preceding the filing of an application for late renewal or return to active status.]

[ (4)

The provider must report the instructor on MCE Form 11-3, and file that form with the commission along with other required forms for the course.]

(n)

[ (p) ] Each provider shall establish written policies governing refunds and contingency plans in the event of course cancellation [ due to inclement weather, insufficient enrollment, instructor unavailability or other reasons ]. If the provider cancels a course, the provider shall fully refund all fees collected from students, or at the student's option, the provider may credit the student for another course of equal or greater credit hours .

[ (q)

The commission adopts by reference "Guidelines for Creating a Course Instructor's Manual for Mandatory Continuing Education Courses" approved by the commission in 1991. This document is published by and available from the commission, P.O. Box 12188, Austin, Texas 78711-2188.]

(o)

[ (r) ] If the commission determines that it is in the public interest to cause significant information about changes in the law of agency or other topics to be included in an MCE course previously approved by the commission, the commission may require the provider to furnish each student with a copy of the information. The commission also may require the provider to ensure that the provider's instructors include the material in the presentation of the course. The commission shall furnish the provider with a copy of the information and notify the provider in writing that the commission requires compliance with this subsection in any course offered after the provider's receipt of the notice. Failure to comply with this subsection constitutes grounds for disciplinary action against the provider under Section 535.73 of this title (relating to Compliance and Enforcement) or for disapproval of an application for approval as a provider under §535.71 of this title (relating to Mandatory Continuing Education: Approval of Providers, Courses and Instructors).

§535.73.Compliance and Enforcement.

(a)

The commission shall investigate complaints against MCE providers or instructors which allege acts constituting violations of these sections. Complaints must be in writing and the commission shall not initiate an investigation or take action against a provider or instructor based on an anonymous complaint. Commission employees may file written complaints against providers or instructors if documents filed with the commission provide reasonable cause to believe a violation of these sections has occurred.

(b)

(No change.)

(c)

Audits and evaluations. Commission employees may conduct on-site audits of any course offered by an approved MCE provider. Audits shall be conducted without prior notice to the MCE provider and commission employees may enroll and attend an MCE course without identifying themselves as employees of the commission. Commission employees also may evaluate the effectiveness of course materials or instructors through surveys of students. An audit report indicating noncompliance with these sections will be treated as a written complaint against the provider or instructor concerned and will be referred to the enforcement division for appropriate resolution. [ Commission employees may file written complaints against providers or instructors if course completion cards or other documents filed with the commission provide reasonable cause to believe a violation of these sections has occurred. ]

(d)

A provider or instructor shall fully assist any employee of the commission engaged in the performance of an audit or investigation of a complaint and shall provide records in his possession for examination by the commission or provide such information as is requested by the commission within 15 days of receiving a request for examination of records or information.

(e)

[ (d) ] The commission may reprimand, suspend or revoke the authority of a provider to offer MCE courses or suspend or revoke the approval of an instructor to teach MCE courses when it has been determined that the provider or instructor has been guilty of:

(1)

procuring or attempting to procure approval for a provider, course or instructor by fraud, misrepresentation or deceit, or by making a material misrepresentation of fact in an application filed with the commission;

(2)

making a false representation to the commission, either intentionally or negligently, that a person had attended a course or portion of a course for which MCE credit was awarded, that a person had completed an examination, or that the person had completed any other requirement for an MCE course;

(3)

aiding or abetting a person to circumvent the requirements for attendance established by these sections, the completion of any examination or any other requirement for completion of an MCE course;

(4)

failing to provide within 15 days information requested by the commission as a result of a complaint which would indicate a violation of these sections; or

(5)

disregarding or violating a provision of these sections or the Act;

(6)

making a materially false statement to the commission in response to a request from the commission for information relating to a complaint against the provider or instructor.

(f)

[ (e) ] An order of suspension or revocation issued under this section may be probated upon reasonable terms and conditions as determined by the commission.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on February 16, 2000.

TRD-200001209

Mark A. Moseley

General Counsel

Texas Real Estate Commission

Earliest possible date of adoption: March 26, 2000

For further information, please call: (512) 465-3900