Rhode Island General Laws Title 5. Businesses and Professions § 5-54-7. Board of licensure--Powers and duties

(a) The board shall administer, coordinate, and enforce the provisions of this chapter; evaluate the qualifications of applicants; supervise any examination of applicants deemed necessary; recommend to the director the commencement of disciplinary hearings in accordance with chapter 35 of title 42 and the provisions of this chapter; and investigate persons engaging in practices that violate the provisions of this chapter. This authority shall specifically encompass practicing physician assistants, collaborating physicians, and those healthcare agencies employing physician assistants. The board shall investigate all persons and agencies engaging in practices that violate the provisions in this chapter.

(b) The board shall conduct hearings of a non-disciplinary nature and shall keep the records and minutes that are necessary to an orderly dispatch of business.

(c) The board, with the approval of the director of the department of health, shall adopt rules and regulations necessary to carry into effect the provisions of this chapter and may amend or repeal them.

(d) Regular meetings of the board shall be held at any time and place that the board prescribes and special meetings shall be held upon the call of the chairperson, provided that at least one regular meeting is held each year.

(e) The conferral or enumeration of specific powers in this chapter shall not be construed as a limitation of the general powers conferred by this section.

(f) The board shall recommend to the director for registration those persons meeting the criteria stated by this chapter.

(g) The board shall recommend to the director the revocation or suspension of the license of any physician assistant who does not conform to the requirements of this chapter or regulations adopted under this chapter.

(h) In accordance with its authority under subsection (a), the board shall make recommendations to the director for discipline of supervising physicians and employing healthcare agencies found wanting in their use of physician assistants.

(i) The board shall approve programs for continuing medical education.