(1) Make and adopt all rules, regulations, and bylaws not inconsistent with the laws of this state or of the United States and necessary or convenient to perform the duties and to transact the business required by law;

(2) Have authority to promulgate and put into effect such rules and regulations as are necessary to carry out the purposes of the Arkansas Medical Practices Act, § 17-95-201 et seq., § 17-95-301 et seq., and § 17-95-401 et seq., and the intentions expressed therein;

(3) (A) (i) Have authority to employ attorneys to represent the board in all legal matters for a compensation approved by the board.

(ii) Contracts for employment of attorneys shall be filed by the Executive Director of the Arkansas State Medical Board with the Legislative Council.

(B) The board shall further have authority to request the assistance of the Attorney General and the prosecuting attorneys of Arkansas in such manner as it deems necessary and proper;

(4) Have the authority to employ an executive director and a deputy director to carry out the purposes and the mandates of the board and to supervise the other employees of the board;

(5) Have the authority to employ a medical director, who shall hold a valid license to practice medicine in this state, to evaluate medical issues and to assist in investigations pending before the board;

(6) Have the power and authority to employ such secretarial and administrative assistance as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of the Arkansas Medical Practices Act, § 17-95-201 et seq., § 17-95-301 et seq., and § 17-95-401 et seq., and the duties of the board to protect the people of the State of Arkansas;

(7) Have the power and authority to employ one (1) or more inspectors as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of the Arkansas Medical Practices Act, § 17-95-201 et seq., § 17-95-301 et seq., and § 17-95-401 et seq., and the duties of the board to protect the people of the State of Arkansas;

(8) Examine, as is provided for by law, all applicants for a license to practice medicine in this state;

(9) Consider and give deference to data, studies, consensus documents, and conclusions issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the National Institutes of Health whenever their data, studies, consensus documents, and conclusions are relevant to any decision made pursuant to the board's powers and duties under the Arkansas Medical Practices Act, § 17-95-201 et seq., § 17-95-301 et seq., and § 17-95-401 et seq.;

(10) Have the power and authority to collect practice data from licensees; and

(11) Promulgate rules limiting the amount of Schedule II narcotics that may be prescribed and dispensed by licensees of the board.