As of March 17, 1997

IT'S ALWAYS SOMETHING . . .

No matter what year or time of the year, it seems as though continuing education requirements are lurking around. So, anytime seems to be the right time to remind you that you should be obtaining continuing education hours for the renewal of your license. When you renew at the end of 1997, you will be required to show proof of having completed 40 hours during calendar years 1996 and 1997. These 40 hours must include 6 hours in the subject matter of x-ray and 2 hours in the subject matter of infection control.

The only exception to this requirement is for those originally licensed in 1996 or 1997. Those originally licensed in 1997 have no continuing education requirement. Those licensed in 1996 must obtain 20 hours which include 3 hours in x-ray and 1 hour in infection control.

If you have any questions about your continuing education requirements, please do not hesitate to contact the MBCE office.

CALENDAR OF SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

APR 12 MBCE licensing examination administered

APR 17 Board Meeting

MAY 26 MBCE office closed for Memorial Day holiday

JUN 19 Public requests to make presentation at the July 17th board meeting due

JUL 4 MBCE office closed for July 4th holiday

LICENSE TERMINATION

 BOARD MEETING UPDATE

Action taken by the MBCE at its February 20, 1997 meeting included:

• Removal of the x-ray safety examination as a requirement for licensure.
• Allowing candidates for licensure to complete the jurisprudence examination in a "take home" format.
• Election of board officers resulting in the current officers (Akiba Ibura, D.C., President, Rosemary Kassekert, Vice President, and John Colvard, D.C., Administrative Officer) remaining in their positions
• Authorization for the rules committee to pursue the creation of a chiropractic emeritus license status
• Issuance of licenses, effective March 1, 1997, to the following chiropractors:

RULES

The following Request for Comments is scheduled to have been published in the State Register on Monday, March 31, 1997. Publication in the State Register is required by Minnesota Statutes 14.10 and constitutes public notice. Publication of this notice in the MBCE newsletter is a courtesy.

At this point in the rules promulgation process, language has not been drafted. The board has had an idea for proposed rules and is interested in gathering information and opinions about pursuing the rules. Information gathered from this notice helps to develop the language.

 Request for Comments on planned rules governing emeritus licensure status and amending current examination requirements for licensure. Subject of Rule The Minnesota Board of Chiropractic Examiners (MBCE) requests comments on its planned rules governing emeritus licensure status and amending current examination requirements for licensure. The MBCE is considering a new rule that would create an emeritus licensure status for retired licensees and amendments to current licensure rules that would support the MBCE's recent decision to require all licensure candidates to take the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners Part IV practical examination. Persons Affected The new rules would affect chiropractors who retire from practice and applicants for licensure. Advisory Committee The MBCE does not intend to appoint an advisory committee to comment on either of the planned rules. Statutory Authority Minnesota Statutes, section 148.08, subd. 3 authorizes the MBCE to promulgate rules necessary to administer its statutory authority. Public Comment Interested persons or groups may submit comments or information on these planned rules in writing or orally until 4:30 p.m. on Friday, May 2, 1997. The MBCE does not anticipate that a draft of the rules will be available before the publication of the proposed rules. Written or oral comments, questions, requests to receive a draft of the rules when they have been prepared, and requests for more information on these planned rules should be addressed to: Lori A. Campbell, MBCE, 2829 University Ave SE, #300, Minneapolis, MN 55414-3220, telephone (612) 617-2222. Comments submitted in response to this notice will not be included in the formal rulemaking record when a proceeding to adopt rules is started.

CUSTOMER SERVICE

The MBCE strives to be responsive to all requests for information and materials. In keeping with this effort, the following information is provided.

Please always try to plan ahead so you can allow the MBCE office a maximum of two weeks to process your request.

Letter of Standing Mail the form (if applicable), a written request for completion, and a $10 fee. The form will be processed within two weeks and mailed directly. If no form is provided by the requesting state, the MBCE will generate a letter.

Duplicate license Mail a written request and a $10 fee. The duplicate license will be processed within two weeks and mailed to the requester.

Lists Mail a written request specifying the information needed (e.g. phone numbers, license numbers) and the appropriate fee.

The list will be produced within two weeks and mailed to the requester.

Lawbooks Mail a written request and a $10 fee. The lawbook will be mailed to the requester within two weeks.

APPOINTMENTS

Board

On February 6, 1997, Governor Arne Carlson appointed Charles Esch, D.C. to a four-year term on the Minnesota Board of Chiropractic Examiners. Governor Carlson also reappointed public member Rosemary Kassekert to a second four-year term on the board.

Peer Review Committee

All Peer Review Committee openings are published in the State Register. Terms are one year in length. Members may serve two complete terms. The MBCE retains and considers applications for the Peer Review Committee for two years. Applications may be submitted at any time. Contact the MBCE office to obtain an application.

HEALTH PROFESSIONALS SERVICES PROGRAM - ALERT!

Have you been in the position of knowing that a chiropractor (yourself or another) is impaired in some way (such as chemical dependency, or other physical or mental impairment), but didn't know what to do about it? Of course you have the legal responsibility to report them, but you may be afraid of the consequences such as discipline, or some other action against the license. Quite a dilemma, huh?

Do you take action in the best interest of the public, or in the best interest of your colleague (or yourself)? Now you can have it both ways.

The MBCE has contracted with the Health Professionals Services Program (HPSP), which is a state program for impaired health care professionals. Such professionals can be reported (or report themselves) and enter the program without the board ever becoming aware of their impairment. The license is safe, the practitioner has an opportunity to solve their problem with experienced and caring professionals, and it's all confidential.

But that's not all . . . The board will pay the expenses of the program, even though they don't know the name of the practitioner they are subsidizing. This is a win/win situation . . . there is no longer a reason for a practitioner to impose their impairment on the public in a way that may be dangerous to them.

If you think this service can be valuable to you (or a colleague), you don't even need to call the board. You can call the HPSP directly at (612) 643-2120.

MEMBERS, MINNESOTA BOARD OF CHIROPRACTIC EXAMINERS

MEMBERS, PEER REVIEW COMMITTEE

The Minnesota Board of Chiropractic Examiners (MBCE) does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age or disability in employment or the provision of services.