Polysomnographic technologists: sleep and wake disorders.

Existing law, the Physician Assistant Practice Act, provides for the licensure and regulation of physician assistants by the Physician Assistant Committee of the Medical Board of California. Existing law prescribes the medical services that may be performed by a physician assistant under the supervision of a licensed physician and surgeon. Existing law, the Respiratory Care Practice Act, provides for the licensure and regulation of respiratory professionals by the Respiratory Care Board of California. Existing law defines the practice of respiratory therapy and prohibits its practice without a license issued by the board, subject to certain exceptions. This bill would require the Medical Board of California to adopt regulations within one year after the effective date of this act relative to the qualifications for certified polysomnographic technologists, including requiring those technologists to be credentialed by a board-approved national accrediting agency, to have graduated from a board-approved educational program, and to have passed a board-approved national certifying examination, with a specified exception for that examination requirement for a 3-year period. The bill would prohibit a person from using the title "certified polysomnographic technologist" or engaging in the practice of polysomnography unless he or she undergoes a Department of Justice background check, as specified, is registered as a certified polysomnographic technologist, is supervised and directed by a licensed physician and surgeon, and meets certain other requirements. The bill would define polysomnography to mean the treatment, management, diagnostic testing, control, education, and care of patients with sleep and wake disorders, as specified. The bill would further require the board, within one year after the effective date of this act, to adopt regulations related to the employment of polysomnographic technicians and trainees. This bill would require polysomnographic technologists to apply to and register with the Medical Board of California for fees to be fixed by the board at no more than $100 each, and to renew their registration biennially for a fee of no more than $150. The bill would require the deposit of those fees in the Contingent Fund of the Medical Board of California, a continuously appropriated fund, thereby making an appropriation. The bill would further set forth specified disciplinary standards and procedures. The bill would specify that these provisions do not apply to diagnostic electroencephalograms conducted in accordance with the guidelines of the American Clinical Neurophysiology Society. This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an urgency statute.