32-2502. Arizona regulatory board of physician assistants; membership; appointment; terms; immunity

A. The Arizona regulatory board of physician assistants is established consisting of the following members:

1. Five physician assistants who hold a current regular license pursuant to this chapter. The governor may appoint these members from a list of qualified candidates submitted by the Arizona state association of physician assistants. The governor may seek additional input and nominations before the governor makes the physician assistant appointments.

2. Two public members who are appointed by the governor.

3. Two physicians who are actively engaged in the practice of medicine and who are licensed pursuant to chapter 17 of this title, one of whom supervises a physician assistant at the time of appointment, and who are appointed by the governor.

4. Two physicians who are actively engaged in the practice of medicine and who are licensed pursuant to chapter 13 of this title, one of whom supervises a physician assistant at the time of appointment, and who are appointed by the governor.

B. Before appointment by the governor, a prospective member of the board shall submit a full set of fingerprints to the governor for the purpose of obtaining a state and federal criminal records check pursuant to section 41-1750 and Public Law 92-544. The department of public safety may exchange this fingerprint data with the federal bureau of investigation.

C. The term of office of members of the board is four years to begin and end on July 1.

D. Each board member is eligible for appointment to not more than two full terms, except that the term of office for a member appointed to fill a vacancy that is not caused by the expiration of a full term is for the unexpired portion of that term and the governor may reappoint that member to not more than two additional full terms. Each board member may continue to hold office until the appointment and qualification of that member's successor. However, the governor may remove a member after notice and a hearing, on a finding of continued neglect of duty, incompetence or unprofessional or dishonorable conduct. That member's term ends when the finding is made.

E. A board member's term automatically ends:

1. On written resignation submitted to the board chairperson or to the governor.

2. If the member is absent from this state for more than six months during a one-year period.

3. If the member fails to attend three consecutive regular board meetings.

4. Five years after retirement from active practice.

F. Board members are immune from civil liability for all good faith actions they take pursuant to this chapter.