The State Board of Nursing selects each commit-
tee's five members who are licensed registered nurses
with expertise in the field of chemical dependency or
psychiatric nursing. One member is a licensed practical
nurse, and one, a consumer knowledgeable in the field
of chemical dependency (Code Health Occupations
Article, sec. 7-208).

R.N. TO B.S.N. VALIDATION COMMITTEE
Cynthia E. Kielinen, R.N., Chairperson

PN. TO A.D.N. VALIDATION COMMITTEE
Mary Campbell, Chairperson

STATE BOARD OF PHYSICIAN
QUALITY ASSURANCE

Israel H. Weiner, M.D., Chairperson, 1996
J. Michael Compton, Executive Director

4201 Patterson Ave.
Baltimore, MD 21215—0095 (410) 764-4777
toll free: 1-800-492-6836

In Maryland, authority to license physicians was
granted first to the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty
of the State of Maryland in their charter of 1798
(Chapter 105, Acts of 1798). From 1798 to 1838,
the Faculty examined candidates, issued licenses
upon payment of a fee, and prosecuted unlicensed
doctors. The petitions of botanic medical practitio-
ners influenced the legislature to pass a law in 1838
allowing any person to collect fees for medical
services performed, which effectively ended the li-
censing of doctors until 1888 (Chapter 281, Acts
of 1838).
The State Board of Health then licensed all
physicians (Chapter 429, Acts of 1888). In 1892,
two Boards of Medical Examiners carried on this
function. One represented the Medical and Chirur-
gical Faculty and the other the State Homeopathic
Society (Chapter 296, Acts of 1892). The General
Assembly in 1957 abolished the Homeopathic
Board and provided for the State Board of Medical
Examiners to regulate the practice of medicine.
Responsibility for disciplining licensed physicians
was assigned to the Commission on Medical Disci-
pline of Maryland, created in 1968 (Chapter 469,
Acts of 1968). In 1988, the functions of both the
State Board of Medical Examiners and the Commis-
sion on Medical Discipline of Maryland were com-
bined under the State Board of Physician Quality
Assurance (Chapter 109, Acts of 1988).
The Board tests and licenses physicians to practice
medicine in the State. For certain causes, the Board
may revoke the license of any physician. Candidates
for licenses must be graduates of medical schools
approved by the American Medical Association and
the Association of American Medical Colleges or of
foreign medical schools that offer an equivalent edu-

cation. All graduates of foreign medical schools
who apply must pass the examination given by the
Educational Council for Foreign Medical Gradu-
ates. The Board determines qualifications for prac-
tice by the FLEX examination (Federal Licensing
Examination), endorsement of licenses obtained in
a reciprocating state, or endorsement of a certificate
of the National Board of Medical Examiners. FLEX
examinations are held in June and December of
each year.
The Board also regulates the unlicensed practice
of medicine by physicians' assistants, psychiatrists'
assistants, cardiac rescue technicians, aviation
trauma technicians, medical practitioners, acupunc-
turists, medical radiation technologists, and nuclear
medical technologists in approved medical training
programs.
Since 1967 the Board has licensed certain osteo-
paths on the basis of endorsement, depending upon
qualifications (Code Health Occupations Article,
sec. 14-310).
Composed of fifteen members, the Board is ap-
pointed by the Governor. The Board includes ten
licensed physicians in active practice recommended by
the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of the State of
Maryland (State Medical Society). One member is a
practicing licensed physician appointed at the Gover-
nor's discretion. One member, nominated by the Sec-
retary of Health and Mental Hygiene, represents the
Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Two
consumer members are appointed with Senate advice
and consent. One consumer member, nominated by
the Maryland Hospital Association, must be knowl-
edgeable in risk management or quality assurance. The
initial term for a consumer member is three years.
Other members serve four-year terms. The Governor
designates a physician member as chairperson.
Authorization for the Board continues until July 1,
2003 (Code Health Occupations Article, secs. 14-101
through 15-502).

ACUPUNCTURE ADVISORY COUNCIL
Robert M. Duggan, R.Ac., Chairperson, 1994

Established in 1982, the Acupuncture Advisory
Council advises the State Board of Physician Qual-
ity Assurance on the adoption of rules and regula-
tions governing the licensing of acupuncturists and
the performance of acupuncture in the State (Chap-
ter 644, Acts of 1982).
The Council consists of eight members ap-
pointed to four-year terms by the Governor. Of
these, two are licensed physicians, three are acu-
puncturists who are not licensed physicians, two are
consumers, and one is a member of the State Board
of Physician Quality Assurance (Code Health Oc-
cupations Article, sec. 14-506).