It is the purpose of this rule to implement a recertification requirement for National examinations.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Division of Medical Quality Assurance

RULE NO: RULE TITLE
64B-1.011: Requirements and Standards of a National Examination
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: It is the purpose of this rule to implement a recertification requirement for National examinations.
SUMMARY: The proposed amendments will reflect the department’s current business processes as it relates to recertification of National examinations.
SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS: No Statement of Estimated Regulatory Cost was prepared.
Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: 456.004(5), 456.017(1)(c) FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 456.017(1)(c) FS.
IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE SCHEDULED AND ANNOUNCED IN FAW.
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Jennifer Wenhold, Manager of Testing Services, Division of Medical Quality Assurance, Bureau of Operations, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Mail Bin C-90, Tallahassee, Florida 32399

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

64B-1.011 Requirements and Standards of a National Examination.

(1) National examinations will be certified by the department according to the criteria established in this rule. National examinations shall be recertified during contract renewal periods as established by the department.

(a) The national examination shall be developed either by or for a national or multi-state professional association, board, council or society (hereinafter referred to as national organization). The national organization providing the examination shall either:

1. Be recognized by state regulatory boards as a national organization, or

2. Be recognized by a substantial number of that profession’s licensed practitioners as a national organization, or

3. Have a substantial number of the nation’s practitioners licensed or certified through an examination provided by or for the national organization.

(b) Examinations prepared by or for a national organization shall meet the following requirements:

1. The examinations shall be administered for the purpose of assessing entry-level skills necessary to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public from incompetent practice,

2. The national organization or its test provider shall be the responsible body for overseeing the development and scoring of the national examination, and

3. The national organization or its test provider shall provide security guidelines for the development, administration and scoring of the national examination and shall oversee the enforcement of these guidelines.

(c) A national examination shall meet the following generally accepted testing standards:

1. The examination tests the scope of practice and entry-level knowledge, skills and abilities defined by a national or multi-state job/task analysis or similar study with a representative sample of licensed practitioners and professional practices.

2. The examination is justified in terms of the protection of the health, safety and welfare of the patient or client.

3. The scores, sub-scores or combinations of scores are statistically reliable.

4. The examination uses psychometrically sound methods to determine the passing score.

5. There are standardized procedures for administering and scoring the examination.

6. There are standardized procedures to ensure the security of the examination.

(2) If an organization makes a request to the department to certify a national examination, the organization shall submit to the Division of Medical Quality Assurance, Bureau of Operations, Testing Services, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin C-90, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3290, documentation establishing that it meets the requirements established in subsection (1) of this rule, and a non-refundable fee of:

(a) $1,700 for a written examination,

(b) $3,000 for a clinical examination, or

(c) $4,200 for an examination consisting of both a written and clinical component.

(3) No fee shall be charged for certifying an examination if the request for certification is initiated by the department or the respective board.

Specific Authority 456.004(5), 456.017(1)(c) FS. Law Implemented 456.017(1)(c) FS. History–New 9-7-98, Amended 7-20-03, ________.

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Jennifer Wenhold
NAME OF SUPERVISOR OR PERSON WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Jennifer Wenhold
DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: November 30, 2007
DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAW: December 14, 2007