HCS SCS SB 272 -- PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATION

SPONSOR:  Scott (Wasson)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Special
Committee on Professional Registration and Licensing by a vote of
10 to 0.

This substitute changes the laws regarding the licensure of
certain professions in the Division of Professional Registration
within the Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions, and
Professional Registration.

PROFESSIONAL LICENSE RENEWAL

The substitute adds deaf interpreters, occupational therapists,
clinical perfusionists, dietitians, massage therapists, interior
designers, acupuncturists, and tattooists to the list of licensed
professionals who are allowed to extend their license renewal
with the division while on active military duty.

ENDOWED CARE CEMETERIES

Operators of endowed care cemeteries, as a condition of license
renewal, must file a trust fund report with the division.  The
definition of "funeral establishment" is expanded to include a
crematory.

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS

The substitute allows the Missouri Board for Architects,
Professional Engineers, Professional Land Surveyors, and
Landscape Architects to establish continuing education
requirements and authorize inactive licenses under certain
circumstances.  License renewal fees are waived for licensees
older than 75 years of age.

CHIROPRACTORS

The substitute requires an applicant for licensure as a
chiropractor to furnish the State Board of Chiropractic Examiners
with evidence that he or she has completed the minimum number of
hours of course study required by the Council on Chiropractic
Education, or its successor, prior to beginning any doctoral
course of study in chiropractic.  However, the applicant must
have completed at least 90 semester credit hours before beginning
the doctoral course.

PHYSICAL THERAPISTS

The substitute allows a person in an approved, entry-level
professional education program if he or she is satisfying the
supervised clinical education requirements while under the
on-site supervision of a physical therapist or practicing in the
armed forces, the United States Public Health Service, or the
Veterans Administration to practice as a physical therapist.

The membership of the Advisory Commission for Physical Therapists
under the State Board of Registration for the Healing Arts is
changed from five licensed physical therapists to four physical
therapists and one physical therapist assistant licensed in this
state.

PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS

The reciprocity provision regarding professional counselors is
changed to allow a person licensed as a professional counselor in
another state who is at least 18 years of age, is of good moral
character, and is a citizen of or legally present in the United
States to receive a license without passing an examination.

MARITAL AND FAMILY THERAPISTS

The reciprocity provision regarding licensed marital and family
therapists is changed to allow a person holding a current,
unsanctioned license from another state whose requirements are
substantially the same as Missouri's to apply for a license with
the State Committee on Marital and Family Therapists without
passing an examination.

PHARMACISTS

The substitute changes the laws regarding the State Board of
Pharmacy.  The substitute:

(1)  Removes the one-year time limit for an intern pharmacist
license;

(2)  Repeals language authorizing the board to establish rules
restricting the practice of intern pharmacists;

(3)  Creates a veterinary class for pharmacy permits or licenses;
and

(4)  Specifies that the veterinary pharmacy permit will not
interfere with a licensed veterinarian when compounding or
dispensing his or her own prescriptions.

REAL ESTATE APPRAISERS

The substitute changes the laws regarding the Missouri Real
Estate Appraisers Commission and real estate appraisers.  The
substitute:

(1)  Repeals the requirement that members of the commission be
members in good standing of a nationally recognized real estate
appraisal organization;

(2)  Repeals the provision regarding the term of office of
initial members of the commission;

(3)  Repeals the provision authorizing the commission to decide
the location of future quarterly meetings;

(4)  Authorizes the commission to administer oaths and issue and
enforce subpoenas;

(5)  Repeals the provision authorizing the commission to waive
continuing education requirements for retired or disabled
appraisers; and

(6)  Allows a person to renew his or her expired license within a
one-year period if evidence of the completion of all continuing
education requirements is provided and authorizes the commission
to issue inactive licenses.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2008, FY 2009, and
FY 2010.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill clarifies the law
regarding physical therapists and physical therapy assistants
working on their clinical requirements.  There is a large number
of licensed physical therapy assistants in this state, and they
should be represented on the advisory commission.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Parson; Senator
Scott; and Bill Hopfinger, Missouri Physical Therapy Association.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Missouri House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated July 25, 2007 at 11:21 am