32-3261. Academic review committees; members; appointment; qualifications; terms; compensation; immunity; training

A. The board shall establish an academic review committee for each professional area licensed pursuant to this chapter to do the following:

1. Review applications referred to the committee by the board or the executive director to determine whether an applicant, whose curriculum has not been approved pursuant to section 32-3253, subsection A, paragraph 14 or whose program is not accredited by an organization or entity approved by the board, has met the educational requirements of this chapter or board rules.

2. On referral by the executive director, make recommendations to the board regarding whether an applicant has met the requirements of supervised work experience required for licensure pursuant to this chapter or board rules.

3. Make specific findings concerning an application's deficiencies.

4. Review applications and make recommendations to the board for curriculum approval applications made pursuant to section 32-3253, subsection A, paragraph 14.

5. At the request of the board, make recommendations regarding examinations required pursuant to this chapter.

6. Review applications for and make determinations regarding exemptions related to clinical supervision requirements.

B. If an application is referred to an academic review committee for review and the academic review committee finds that additional information is needed from the applicant, the academic review committee shall provide a comprehensive written request for additional information to the applicant.

C. An academic review committee shall be composed of three members who have been residents of this state for at least one year before appointment, at least one of whom is licensed in the professional area pursuant to this chapter and have five years of experience in the applicable profession. At least one member must have served within the previous ten years as core or full-time faculty at a regionally accredited college or university in a program related to the applicable profession and have experience in the design and development of the curriculum of a related program. If qualified, a faculty member may serve on more than one academic review committee. A board member may not be appointed to serve on an academic review committee.

D. Committee members shall initially be appointed by the board. From and after January 1, 2016, the governor shall appoint the committee members. A committee member who is initially appointed by the board may be reappointed by the governor. A committee member who is initially appointed by the board shall continue to serve until appointed or replaced by the governor.

E. Committee members serve at the pleasure of the governor for terms of three years. A member shall not serve more than two full consecutive terms.

F. Committee members are eligible to receive compensation of not more than eighty-five dollars for each day actually and necessarily spent in the performance of their duties.

G. An academic review committee shall annually elect a chairman and secretary from its membership.

H. Committee members are personally immune from suit with respect to all acts done and actions taken in good faith and in furtherance of the purposes of this chapter.

I. Committee members shall receive at least five hours of training as prescribed by the board within one year after the member is initially appointed and that includes instruction in ethics and open meeting requirements.