§ 1366.31. Approved Certifying Organizations.

(a) An organization that certifies medical assistants may apply to the division for approval. This application shall include the following information:

(1) Name and address of the applicant;

(2) Applicant's federal employee identification number (FEIN) or social security number;

(3) Name, address and telephone number of a contact person for the applicant;

(4) Name, address and telephone number of the accrediting organization that accredited the applicant;

(5) Name, address and telephone number of the organization that validated the applicant's certifying examination;

(6) Information sufficient to establish that the certifying organization meets the standards set forth in subsection (b).

(b) For purposes of Section 1366.3(c)(1), an organization that certifies medical assistants shall be approved if it meets all of the following standards:

(1) Is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization;

(2) Requires all applicants for certification to successfully complete a psychometrically valid examination that is secure, is occupationally relevant and tests for the skills and procedures outlined in Section 1366;

(3) Has a requirement for certification of a medical assistant in one or more of the following:

(A) Graduation from a medical assistant training program accredited by an accreditation agency recognized by the United States Department of Education;

(B) Graduation from a medical assistant training program in a postsecondary institution accredited by an accreditation agency recognized by the United States Department of Education or an institution approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education;

(C) A minimum of 2 years experience as a practicing medical assistant within 5 years immediately preceding the date of examination;

(D) Military training or schooling equivalent to that described in subsections (A) or (B) above;

(E) Employment at the time of certification as an instructor in an accredited medical assistant program or institution;

(4) Requires its certificate holders to obtain a minimum of 60 hours of continuing education related to the practice of medical assistants over a 5 year period.

(c) The American Association of Medical Assistants and the American Medical Technologists, which were previously referenced in Section 1366.3(a), shall be deemed approved as medical assistant certifying organizations. This approval shall terminate on January 1, 2000 unless prior to that time the above certifying organizations have applied for and been approved by the division. This paragraph shall be automatically repealed on January 1, 2000.

HISTORY

1. New section filed 3-23-99; operative 4-22-99 (Register 99, No. 13).

Note

Note: Authority cited: Sections 2018 and 2071, Business and Professions Code. Reference: Sections 2069, 2070 and 2071, Business and Professions Code.