1. Georgia Osteopathic Medical Association
Barby Simmons, DO
Georgia Composite Medical Board
LaSharn Hughes, MBA
Executive Director

2. Composition of the Board
Sixteen Board Members
15 appointed by the Governor
Four-year terms
13 physicians (11 MDs, 2 DOs)
Licensed and actively practicing in GA
2 consumers
No ties to the practice of medicine
1 physician assistant (non-voting)
Appointed by the Board

3. Number of healthcare practitioners licensed in Georgia.
Licensing authority for 8 professions with over 52,672 licensees as of October 7, 2019:
Physicians, including residents 39,380
Physician Assistants ,413
Respiratory Care Professionals 5,652
Acupuncturists
Orthotists and Prosthetists
Clinical Perfusionists
Cosmetic Laser Practitioners
Pain Management Clinics
Also the approving authority for APRN prescribing protocols

4. What does the Board Do?
The Board is the licensing agency for physicians, physician assistants, respiratory care professionals, perfusionists, acupuncturists, orthotists, prosthetists, auricular (ear) detoxification specialists, residency training permits, cosmetic laser practitioners, and pain management clinics.
The Medical Board investigates complaints and disciplines those who violate The Medical Practice Act or other laws governing the professional behavior of its licensees.

5. New Licensure Categories
Legislation passed that would allow the Board to license the following new categories of licensure:
Genetic Counselors
Telehealth Licensure
Interstate Medical Compact

6. Board Committees
Advisory committee for each licensed profession and for APRN prescribing protocols
Recommends Board actions to approve or deny license applications and on other profession-specific matters
Wellness Committee
Recommends Board actions concerning impaired licensees
Investigative Committee
Recommends Board actions on enforcement matters
Rules Committee
– develops rules that impact licensure.

7. Applying for a License
Applying online is the quickest and easiest way to get licensed
Go to: gcmb.mylicense.com/egov
Submit your application online!

8. Applying for a License
Most applications are completed within 60 days of the date the physician submits the application.
In addition to the completed application and the $500 nonrefundable application fee, the applicant must provide some other documentation.

9. Licensure Process
Common reasons for the Physician Licensure Committee to review an application include:
Multiple unsuccessful attempts to pass the USMLE Step 3
Out of clinical practice
Record of a conviction
Record of impairment issue
Discipline by school, residency program, licensing board, or other entity
Malpractice settlement/payout within past 10 years
Other more unique issues

10. License Renewal Your license expires at the end of your birth month.
A ‘courtesy’ renewal notice is ed 60 days before the license expiration date with notification that an on-line renewal is available on the Board’s website.
Renewal fee is currently $230.00
Late Renewal is $455.00
Requires thirty (40) hours of CME 3 in
opioid prescribing if you have a DEA.

11. Inactive License
A person who wishes to maintain his/her license, but does not intend to practice may apply for inactive status, prior to the expiration of a license by submitting fee ($100) and application.
Reinstatement application, fee ($300), and job description.

13. Common Board Questions

14. The Complaints Process
Complaint received and reviewed
Response from physician requested/received
Investigation conducted
Dismissal
Board action (sanction, reprimand, letter of concern, etc.)
Board review (through committee)

15. Enforcement of Board Rules
The Board is authorized to take a variety of actions, including these most common actions:
Letter of concern (non-disciplinary)
Private reprimand (often with requirements such as additional specific CME)
Private consent order with conditions such as monitoring, drug/alcohol rehabilitation, etc.
Public consent order, often with a reprimand, practice restrictions, fines, etc.
Suspension and/or revocation of license

16. Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP)
Prescribers must enroll as a PDMP user by July 1, 2018.
Prescribers who obtain a DEA registration after January 1, 2018 must enroll with the PDMP within 30 days of obtaining a DEA registration for purposes of prescribing controlled substances in Georgia.

17. Prescription Drug Monitoring Program 404-463-1517.
Who is required to register in the Georgia PDMP?
Individuals with a DEA number must register in the PDMP including: physicians, physician assistants, pharmacists, licensed pharmacist delegates, dentists, optometrists, podiatrists, nurses with prescriptive authority, medical residents and interns with prescriptive authority. 
$3,000 fine
Pubic reprimand for failure to register
Reprimand is reportable on the Board’s website and NPDB.

18. Opioid Prescribing Rules
Effective January 1, 2018, every physician who maintains an active DEA certificate and prescribes controlled substances, except those holding a residency training permit, shall complete at least one time three or more hours of AMA/AOA PRA Category 1 CME that is designed specifically to address controlled substance prescribing practices.

19. Protect your License

20. Your Medical License is Valuable!
Your license grants you the privilege – not the right – to practice medicine.
Other than your integrity and your ethics, your license is perhaps your most valuable asset.
Protect it!
Be cautious
Be thorough
Remember that your patients’ lives depend on you

22. How Licensees Get Into Trouble
Boundary violations

23. Boundary Violations REMEMBER:
According to Rule (8), committing any act of sexual intimacy, abuse, misconduct, or exploitation of any individual related to the physician’s practice is unprofessional conduct regardless of consent!
This rule applies also to former patients where the physician did not terminate the patient relationship in writing at least two years before the romantic or sexual relationship began.

24. Boundary Violations
It is ALWAYS the physician’s responsibility to maintain appropriate boundaries – no matter how difficult or boundary-testing the patient is
Crossing boundaries by a physician is ALWAYS a power differential
If you are unable to maintain appropriate boundaries, refer the patient for competent help or counsel

25. How Licensees Get Into Trouble
Practicing below minimum standards
Not updating profile on board website
Not signing death certificates
Not reading the rules
Not using a chaperone
Not releasing medical records

26. How Licensees Get Into Trouble
Practicing below minimum standards

27. How Licensees Get Into Trouble
Poor recordkeeping

28. How Licensees Get Into Trouble
Poor communication with patients

29. How Licensees Get Into Trouble
Inappropriate prescribing

30. Prescribing
According to Rule , unprofessional conduct includes:
Prescribing controlled substances for a known or suspected habitual drug abuser or other substance abuser in the absence of substantial medical justification
Prescribing controlled substances for personal use or for your spouse, children, siblings, or parents except for documented emergencies

31. Pain Clinic Requirements
A pain management clinic is any medical practice that advertises services in the treatment of pain, uses the word “pain” in the name of the clinic or practice, or has more than 50 percent of its annual patient population for chronic, non-terminal pain by the use of Schedule II or Schedule III controlled substances.  Each pain management clinic location must be licensed individually.
The application process includes payment of a $500 application fee, a criminal background check, and other documents & forms. Clinics must be wholly owned by licensed physicians. Clinics and practices owned or operated by hospitals do not need to be licensed, but must file an annual notification with the Board.

32. How Licensees Get Into Trouble
Impairment due to drug or alcohol use

33. Professional Health Program
Program to help licensees deal with wellness issues without first dealing with the Board’s disciplinary process
Most common referral is for help with an addiction illness
Referral sources: Family members, colleagues, friends, and the licensee

34. Physician Health Program
Click to learn how your support can make a difference for your colleagues, friends, and Georgia’s patients, or contact Georgia PHP by phone at MY-GAPHP or by to

35. Document, document, document!
Friendly Reminders
Do not work on an expired license.
This constitutes practicing medicine without a license
Use a chaperone when examining the breast and/or genitalia of a patient of the opposite gender
Effective communication with patients prevents complaints and could reduce risk of malpractice actions
Document, document, document!

36. The Board does not send junk mail.
OPEN YOUR MAIL !!!!
The Board does not send junk mail.
Please respond to all inquiries from the Board.

37. Become a Peer Reviewer!
The Board needs physician peer reviewers to assist in its investigative review process.

38. Become a Peer Reviewer!
To join other respected physicians in this important work, us a copy of your current CV and a letter describing your practice, your specialty, and your certifications to

39. Contact Information
Georgia Composite Medical Board 2 Peachtree Street, NW 6th Floor Atlanta, GA LaSharn Hughes, MBA Executive Director (404)