Chemical Dependency
Approved by the Board: October 20-22, 1997 Board meeting
Revised by the Board: May 20-22, 2001 Board meeting
Service Area: Licensure, Physicians
Subject: Chemical Dependency
Typically when a licensure applicant answers "yes" to question 9 of the application form, and has not had five years of monitoring in a structured program that includes random urine screens, the applicant is required to enter into a Private Agreement with the Board. The Board voted to adopt the following policy and procedure:
Policy:
If an applicant for licensure advises the Board of hospitalization or treatment for alcohol and/or chemical dependency and provides documentation showing proof of five (5) years of monitored sobriety in a structured program, then the applicant shall not be required to sign an Agreement.
Procedure:
When an application for licensure is received wherein the applicant advises the Board of prior hospitalization and/or treatment for alcohol and/or chemical dependency and has provided the Board with proper documentation of the treatment, the application shall be given to the Board Administrator for review and determination of whether the applicant meets the criteria of proof of five (5) years of monitored sobriety in a structured program. If the applicant meets the guidelines, he/she will be issued a Temporary License. When the application packet is sent to the interviewing Board member, an instruction sheet to advise that applicant of the Board's policy and the reason why he/she is being granted a license without having to sign an Agreement will be explained to the applicant by the interviewing Board member.
If five years cannot be documented, the applicant shall be required to sign an Agreement with the Recovering Professionals Program (RPP) to be monitored for the appropriate amount of time. Additionally, the applicant must provide proof of the executed Agreement prior to the issuance of a license.