The Medical Expert Witness Process: How Lawyers and Physicians Work Together

EXEMPTIONS

Some exceptions to the CME requirement do apply. Retired physicians who have an active license, and who provide uncompensated healthcare services pursuant to Code Section 43-34-41, are only required to complete 10 hours of Board-approved continuing education biennially. Furthermore, physicians enrolled in full-time graduate medical education programs, such as residencies and fellowships, which are accredited by the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education or the American Osteopathic Association are exempt from the CME requirement. Finally, physicians who are initially licensed by the Board and who have not renewed their licenses for the first time, physicians with inactive licenses, and those specifically exempted due to cases of hardship, disability, illness, etc. are not responsible for the CME requirement. Any physician seeking such an exemption must submit a written request and documentation to support their exemption eligibility in a sufficient time period prior to the expiration of his or her license.

Physician Assistants

Physician Assistant licenses in Georgia must follow the below requirements for first renewal, second renewals and beyond.

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FIRST RENEWAL SECOND RENEWALS AND BEYOND

• When renewing for the first time, 40 hours of continuing education are not required. • Licenses must be renewed every two years by the last day of the birthday month.

• Any physician assistants who are authorized to carry out prescription drug orders, including those who are exempt from the 40 required CME hours, are required to complete a minimum of three hours (as part of the 40 CME hours required, when applicable) in practice-specific pharmaceuticals for which the physician assistant has prescription-order privileges. • Licenses expired for three months or less may be renewed by meeting all the requirements for renewal and paying a late renewal fee. Licenses that are not renewed within three months after the expiration date will be revoked by the Georgia Composite Medical Board, and the physician assistant will have to apply for reinstatement.

• 40 hours CME

Nursing

Under the Georgia Board of Nursing, licenses for registered nurses expire Jan. 31 of even- or odd-numbered years. If licenses are not renewed by Jan. 31 of the expiring year, the license will be revoked, and the licensee will be required to apply for reinstatement with the Georgia Board of Nursing.

FIRST RENEWAL EVERY RENEWAL THEREAFTER

• For the first renewal, LPNs and RNs initially licensed by examination during the current biennium are exempt from general CE requirements. • 30 CE hours complete for renewal purposes by a Board-approved provider

• Maintenance of certification by national certifying body

• Completion of an accredited academic program

• Verification of competency by a healthcare facility or entity

• Completion of a Board-approved reentry program

Dentistry

Dentists must renew their licenses by Dec. 31 of odd-numbered years. If the license is not renewed, it will lapse on July 1 of the following year, and the dentist will be required to apply for reinstatement.

RENEWAL REQUIREMENTS BIENNIAL RENEWAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must submit proof of American Dental Association (ADA) accredited dental coursework complete within previous years for first renewal period.

• CPR course counts for four CE hours. • 40 hours of CE. 20 must be completed at an onsite course.

• One hour CE must include the impact of opioid abuse and/or the proper prescription writing and use of opioids in dentistry.

Dental Hygienist

Dental Hygienist licenses also expire on Dec. 31 of odd-numbered years. Late renewal is allowed from Jan. 1 of the following year through June 30. If the license is not renewed, it will lapse on July 1 of the following year, and the dental hygienist will be required to apply for reinstatement.

Additionally, dental hygienists are required to complete 22 CE hours during the twoyear renewal period. At least 11 of these hours must be completed in person at an onsite course or seminar. Dental hygienists are not permitted to acquire all CE hours through online courses, journal studies, etc.

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FIRST RENEWAL

• Two hours of HIV/AIDS EVERY RENEWAL THEREAFTER

• Current CPR certification (Must be a live course.)

• 15 hours must be in clinical science • Two hours of Prevention of Medical Errors

• Submit proof of ADA accredited dental hygiene coursework taken within previous two years to meet CE requirements • Two hours of Domestic Violence (Due every third biennium, in addition to the 24 hours required.)

• One hour of Human Trafficking (May be included in the total general hours required and must be completed by Jan. 1, 2021.)

• 22 CE hours

There are options for you if you are not ready to give up practicing medicine but also are not ready to retire. When your medical license is placed in retirement status, you are prohibited from practicing any form of medicine. Yet, if your license is converted to a limited license status, you can still practice medicine on a volunteer basis to provide uncompensated care for low-income residents. A limited license is restricted to areas of critical need. Since physicians are working without compensation under the limited license status, license renewal fees are waived.

Source: Georgia Composite Medical Board website. For more detailed continuing education requirements and licensure renewal of Georgia healthcare professionals, please visit http://medicalboard.georgia.gov.