Proposed competency test for doctors is put on hold

Monday, March 15, 2004 | 9:42 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- A proposal to require periodic testing of Nevada doctors for proficiency is dead for the time being, but a proponent said it would resurface in the future.

The state Board of Medical Examiners on Friday decided to shelve a proposed regulation that would require testing or other alternatives every 10 years to assure the competency of physicians.

"We need to be careful about putting up barriers to new physicians," Board President Dr. Cheryl Hug-English said.

She said the regulation was "premature" and Nevada should wait to see what other states do. Nevada would have been the first state to adopt such a standard.

Donald Baepler, a member of the board from Las Vegas, had conducted workshops around the state and had put forth the rule that was opposed by doctors.

After the vote, Baepler said: "This issue will not go away. ... If the states do not do it, other groups will step in. I know there is an interest at the federal level."

Opponents argue that Nevada now has the nation's strictest entry requirement for new doctors: three years of residency before being licensed. Doctors also are required to take continuing education courses every year.

Hug-English, of Reno, said Nevada has one of the lowest number of doctors per capita. She said the Nevada Legislature had "no interest" in pushing the regulation and that the staff of Gov. Kenny Guinn does not want to pursue the regulation.

Board member Dr. Stephen Montoya of Las Vegas said he initially favored some type of competency testing, but he changed his mind.

"It seems to discourage doctors from coming to the state," said Montoya. "The climate is not right for this document."

The regulation proposed that starting in 2007 and every 10 years after that a doctor would have to demonstrate "continuing proficiency" in order to be licensed.

The physician could accomplish this by being certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties or maintaining active or associate staff privileges at an accredited hospital or surgical center.

Or the physician could pass a review by his fellow doctors. Failing those options, he would have to take a national test.

While there have been reports of many doctors leaving the state, the board was told that the number of physicians applying to practice in Nevada has been growing.

Tony Clark, deputy executive director of the board, said there have been 200 applications since December. Usually there are about 400 applications in a year.

Doug Cooper, chief of investigations for the board, said his staff has 539 open inquiries into complaints about doctors. And there are 96 being held until his staff can get to them.