Maintaining Licensure, Renewal, Retirement, And Reinstatement

(1) Anesthesiologist assistants holding a full license must renew their license to be able to legally continue to practice as an anesthesiologist assistant in Tennessee. Once issued a full license can be renewed every two years. License renewal is governed by the following: (a) The due date for licensure renewal is its expiration date, which is the last day of the month in which a licensees’ birthday falls pursuant to the Tennessee Department of Health, Division of Health-Related Board’s (Division) “biennial birthdate renewal system” contained in Rule 1200-10-01-.10. (b) Methods of Renewal- Licensees may accomplish renewal by one of the following methods: 1. Internet Renewals- Individuals may apply for renewal and pay the necessary fees via the Internet. The application to renew can be accessed at the Board’s website. 2. Paper Renewals- Licensees who did not opt in to receive Board communication via email will be mailed an application at their last known address prior to the expiration date of their current license. Failure to receive such notification does not relieve the individual of the responsibility of timely meeting all requirements for renewal. To be eligible for renewal a licensee must submit to the Division on or before the licensee’s expiration date the following: (i) A completed and signed renewal application form. (ii) The renewal and state regulatory fees as provided in Rule 0880-15-.01. (iii) Proof of maintaining certification by the NCCAA or its successor organization. (c) Any renewal application received after the expiration date but before the last day of the month following the expiration date must be accompanied by the Late Renewal Fee provided in Rule 0880-15-.01. (d) The license of any individual who fails to comply with the licensure renewal rules and notifications sent to them concerning failure to timely renew shall have to reinstate their license prior to practicing. GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING CHAPTER 0880-15 ANESTHESIOLOGIST ASSISTANTS (e) Anyone submitting a signed renewal form, electronically or otherwise, which is found to be fraudulent or untrue may be subject to disciplinary action. (f) Any licensee who receives notice of failure to timely renew pursuant to Rule 1200-10- 01-.10, and who, on or before the last day of the month following the month in which the license expires, executes and files in the Board’s Administrative Office an affidavit of retirement pursuant to paragraph (2) of this rule may have their license retired effective on their licensure expiration date. (2) Licensure Retirement. (a) License holders who wish to retain their license but not be required to comply with the licensure renewal process may do so by complying with the following: 1. Obtain from, complete, and submit to the Board Administrative Office, an affidavit of retirement form. 2. Submit any documentation which may be required by the form to the Board’s Administrative Office. (b) Upon successful application for retirement of licensure with completion and receipt of all proper documentation to the Board’s satisfaction, the Board shall register the license as retired. Any person who has a retired license may not practice as an anesthesiologist assistant in Tennessee. (3) Reinstatement of an expired license. Any license holder who has failed to timely renew may re-enter active practice by doing the following: (a) Submit a request for a reinstatement application to the Board’s Administrative Office; and (b) Fully complete and submit the Board’s reinstatement application along with payment of all past due renewal fees and the late renewal fee; and (c) Submit, along with the Board’s reinstatement application, documentation of successful completion of the continuing education requirements provided in Rule 0880-15-.08 for all the calendar years (January 1–December 31) that the license was expired that precede the calendar year during which the reinstatement is requested. (d) Proof of maintaining certification by the NCCAA or its successor organization will be considered sufficient proof of the required continuing education hours. (e) If requested, after review by the Board, a designated Board member, or the Board’s consultant, appear before either the Board, another Board member, or the Board Designee for an interview regarding continued competence in the event of licensure retirement, administrative revocation, or other practice inactivity in excess of one year, and meet such other requirements the Board feels is necessary to establish current levels of competency. (4) Reinstatement of a retired license. Any license holder whose license has been retired may re- enter active practice by doing the following: (a) Submit a request for a reinstatement application to the Board’s Administrative Office; and GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING CHAPTER 0880-15 ANESTHESIOLOGIST ASSISTANTS (b) Fully complete and submit the Board’s reinstatement application along with payment of the license renewal fee; and (c) Submit, along with the Board’s reinstatement application, documentation of successful completion of twenty (20) hours of continuing education as provided in Rule 0880-15- .08, during the two (2) calendar years (January 1–December 31) that precede the calendar year during which the reinstatement is requested. (d) Proof of maintaining certification by the NCCAA or its successor organization will be considered sufficient proof of the required continuing education hours. (e) If requested, after review by the Board, a designated Board member, or the Board’s consultant, appear before either the Board, another Board member, or the Board Designee for an interview regarding continued competence in the event of licensure retirement, administrative revocation, or other practice inactivity in excess of one year, and meet such other requirements the Board feels is necessary to establish current levels of competency. (5) Renewal issuance and reinstatement decisions pursuant to this rule may be administratively subject to review by the Board.