Physician AssistantsOsteopathic Physician Assistants

Section § 3535

Explanation

This law allows doctors in California who are licensed by the Osteopathic Medical Board to hire physician assistants if the assistants are properly educated and licensed. The physician assistant's job must fit within the approved medical practices for their specialty. If someone breaks this rule, they could face up to six months in jail or a $1,000 fine, or both. These rules have been in effect since July 1, 2001.

(a)CA Business & Professions Code § 3535(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, physicians and surgeons licensed by the Osteopathic Medical Board of California may use or employ physician assistants provided (1) each physician assistant so used or employed is a graduate of an approved program and is licensed by the board, and (2) the scope of practice of the physician assistant is the same as that which is approved by the Division of Licensing of the Medical Board of California for physicians and surgeons supervising physician assistants in the same or similar specialty.
(b)CA Business & Professions Code § 3535(b) Any person who violates subdivision (a) shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding six months, or by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by both that imprisonment and fine.
(c)CA Business & Professions Code § 3535(c) This section shall become operative on July 1, 2001.
Osteopathic Medical Board of California physician assistants scope of practice