(a) The department shall issue a licentiate fluoroscopy permit to a qualified licentiate of the healing arts, as defined in paragraph (2) of subdivision (h) of Section 114850. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the department shall accept applications for a fluoroscopy permit from a licensed physician assistant who meets the requirements of this section.

(b) A physician and surgeon may delegate to a licensed physician assistant procedures using fluoroscopy. In order to supervise a physician assistant in performing the functions authorized by the Radiologic Technology Act (Section 27), a physician and surgeon shall either hold, or be exempt from holding, a licentiate fluoroscopy permit required to perform the functions being supervised.

(c) A physician assistant to whom a physician and surgeon has delegated the use of fluoroscopy shall demonstrate successful completion of 40 hours of total coursework, including fluoroscopy radiation safety and protection, recognized by the department. Documentation of completed coursework shall be kept on file at the practice site and available to the department upon request.

(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to remove the need for a physician assistant to pass a department-approved examination in fluoroscopy radiation safety and protection pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 30460) of Group 5 of Subchapter 4.5 of Chapter 5 of Division 1 of Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations.

(e) A licensed physician assistant who is issued a fluoroscopy permit pursuant to the requirements of this section shall, in the two years preceding the expiration date of the permit, earn 10 approved continuing education credits. The department shall accept continuing education credits approved by the Physician Assistant Committee.

(f) Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize a physician assistant to perform any other procedures utilizing ionizing radiation except those authorized by holding a licentiate fluoroscopy permit.

(g) Nothing in this section shall be construed to remove the need for a physician assistant to be subject to the permit requirements approved by the department pursuant to Subchapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 30400) of Chapter 5 of Division 1 of Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations.

(h) The department may charge applicants under this section a fee in an amount sufficient, but not greater than the amount required, to cover the department’s costs of implementing this section. The fees collected pursuant to this subdivision shall be deposited into the Radiation Control Fund established pursuant to Section 114980.

(Added by Stats. 2009, Ch. 434, Sec. 3. (AB 356) Effective January 1, 2010.)