Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 49, December 6, 2024
Section 11-1A-6 - Qualification and Application for a License to Practice Podiatric Medicine and Surgery6.1. Minimum qualifications for initial licensure as a podiatric physician and surgeon are set forth in West Virginia Code § 30-3-10(d).6.2. An application for a license to practice podiatric medicine and surgery for an applicant seeking initial licensure, or licensure by endorsement pursuant to West Virginia Code § 30-3-11(a), shall be completed on a Board-approved application.6.3. A completed application is considered by the Board at regular Board meetings. The Board will not consider an application until the complete application, including all third-party documentation and/or verification, is on file with the Board and the Board has had at least fifteen days to review the application.6.4. An application for licensure must be accompanied by payment of a nonrefundable application fee in an amount established by 11 CSR 4.6.5. An applicant must provide the following information: 6.5.a. The applicant's name, e-mail address, home address, preferred mailing address and primary practice location address(es) and telephone numbers;6.5.b. Demographic information of the applicant, such as date of birth, place of birth, sex, etc.;6.5.c. A photograph taken within the previous twelve months which substantially resembles the applicant;6.5.d. Evidence of graduation and receipt of the degree of doctor of podiatric medicine or its equivalent from a school of podiatric medicine which is approved by the Council of Podiatric Education or by the board;6.5.e. Information as determined by the Board which relates to whether the applicant is mentally and physically able to engage safely in the practice of podiatric medicine and surgery;6.5.f. Evidence of completion of:6.5.f.1. One year of graduate clinical training in a program approved by the CPME or the CPM; or6.5.f.2. Two years of graduate podiatric clinical training in the U.S. armed forces; or6.5.f.3. Three years of private podiatric clinical experience satisfactory to the Board;6.5.g. A list of, and requested information regarding, training programs, including postgraduate training, in which the applicant ever participated;6.5.h. A list of jurisdictions in which the applicant has applied for licensure, the disposition of such applications, and a list of all licenses the applicant holds or has ever held and the current status of each license;6.5.i. A copy of the individual's birth certificate, certificate of naturalization, or passport to be used in identifying the applicant and the appropriate spelling of his or her name;6.5.j. A copy of legal documentation satisfactory to the Board which verifies any name change;6.5.k. A criminal history record check as set forth in section 8;6.5.l. Evidence that the applicant has received passing scores on all required examinations as set forth in section 7 of this rule;6.5.m. A report from the National Practitioner Data Bank; and6.5.n. Other documents as may be required by the Board to evaluate the qualifications and fitness of an applicant to practice podiatric medicine and surgery in West Virginia.6.6. The applicant shall provide necessary forms to selected institutions for response to the Board. Completed verification forms must be provided directly from selected institutions to the Board and not from the applicant.6.7. If the staff finds derogatory or conflicting information regarding an applicant's qualifications, or information requiring clarification or further explanation by the applicant, the information shall be presented to the Board's Licensure Committee for review. Thereafter, the Licensure Committee shall determine whether the applicant should be scheduled to appear before the Committee. The Committee may also direct staff to obtain additional information related to the applicant's qualifications.6.8. An applicant may be required to appear personally before the Licensure Committee of the Board in support of his or her application. The Board may require production of original documents at the required attendance at a Board or Committee meeting.6.9. The Board may obtain additional information, oral and/or written examinations, psychiatric evaluation, physical examination or other tests as may be necessary to determine the competency of the applicant.6.10. The Board shall require applicants to take a competency examination prior to issuing a license, whenever the Board considers it necessary to evaluate the medical knowledge and clinical skills of an applicant.6.11. A complete application, including all associated documentation submitted to the Board, become the property of the Board and will not be returned.6.12. The burden of satisfying the Board of the applicant's qualifications for licensure is upon the applicant.6.13. In evaluating an application and determining an applicant's qualification for licensure, the Board may consider any recent period(s) of absence from the practice of podiatric medicine which may affect the applicant's clinical skills and/or knowledge when such absence(s) individually or cumulatively equal or exceed two years. The applicant shall:6.13.a. Demonstrate that any such absence from practice has not resulted in a loss of current skills or knowledge;6.13.b. Provide proof satisfactory to the Board that the applicant has taken effective measures to ensure that his or her clinical skills and knowledge are current; and6.13.c. Propose a plan designed to ensure his or her safe reentry into practice. The Board may require the examination and/or assessment of the competencies, medical knowledge and clinical skills necessary to assist in assessing a safe reentry into practice.
6.14. The provisions of this rule that relate to disciplinary procedures, reports and complaints, and the provisions of the contested case hearing and appeal procedures, W. Va. Code § 29A-5-1 et seq. and 11 CSR 3, Board Organization and Meeting Procedure; Complaint and Contested Case Hearing Procedures, are applicable to podiatric physicians and surgeons and the practice of podiatric medicine and surgery and shall be applied in that context to matters relating to podiatric physicians and surgeons.