Getting Licensed in Another State from Oregon? ID Required

Oregon authorization holders applying for an affidavit of licensure to allow them to become licensed in another state through reciprocity must now provide two forms of agency approved identification, one of which must be photographic.

The Oregon Health Licensing Agency (OHLA) has adopted a temporary rule requiring identification in its continuing efforts to ensure the validity and security of the licensing process in Oregon and in collaboration with other state licensing agencies.
 
"We continue to address potential fraud in the licensing process," says OHLA Director Randy Everitt.  "Whether it's out-of-state applicants applying for licensure in Oregon or Oregon licensees applying for reciprocal licensure in other states, we want to ensure that licensees are who they say they are, and and that they have the accompanying qualifications and skills to safely and effectively practice on the public in the health and related professions we license and regulate."
 
The temporary rule, amending Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) 331-030-0040, became effective July 26, becomes permanent October 15 after a public comment period and affects applicants for licensure through reciprocity to and from Oregon annually in 17 OHLA-regulated health and related professions.
 
Click here to learn more about the temporary administrative rule.
 
Click here to learn more about OHLA identification requirements for licensure applicants.

Central Issues in Respiratory Care: Sleep Labs, "Place," Pharmacological Agents

In the third of a series of online publications, Central Issues, highlighting the key issues being addressed by the Oregon Health Licensing Agency in collaboration with the multiple health and related boards and councils the agency oversees, OHLA and the Respiratory Therapist Licensing Board (RTLB) address the following: 

• Respiratory Care Services in Sleep Centers:  OHLA and the RTLB are proposing to allow for certain respiratory care services related to postive airway pressure to be performed by unlicensed individuals in sleep labs, but only under a medical director.
  
  
• Defining "Place" to Include Emergency Transport Settings:  In an effort to clarify the settings in which respiratory therapists may practice, OHLA and the RTLB are proposing to define "place" in Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) to include emergency transport settings such as by ambulance or air.
  
  
• Clarifying the Drugs Therapists May Administer:  OHLA and the RTLB are also proposing to exclude intravenous narcotics, paralytics and opiods from pharmacological agents respiratory therapists are allowed to administer.

Environmental Health Board Faces Budget Deficit

Facing a projected budget deficit, the Environmental Health Registration Board voted at its June 14 meeting to raise application, examination and registration fees.
 
"We don't like to raise fees unless absolutely necessary and we don't do it lightly," says OHLA Director Randy Everitt.  "However, the EHRB's budget deficit is real and must be addressed."
 
The EHRB's growing budget deficit, which is projected to reach $116,897 by the end of the 2013-15 biennium, is due to a number of factors, including environmental health specialist registration renewal fees have not increased in 12 years and the limited number of registrants, which is currently approximately 300, a number which has only slightly increased in the past 10 years.
 
"We are aggressively exploring how to avoid such a large deficit, including a thorough review of the costs associated with this particular board in relation to the overall budgetary picture of the agency as a whole," adds Everitt.
 
Click here for more information on the EHRB's proposed fee increases. 

Willamette Week Explores "Bad Consequences" of Unlicensed Tattooing

In its July 21 issue, Willamette Week highlights the increase in consumer complaints related to unlicensed tattooing in the past two years and the potential consequences:  scarring, staph infections, hepatitis, "...or worse."
 
OHLA responded to 39 reports of unlicensed tattooing in 2009, a record for the agency.  The complaints resulted in the agency assessing 36 civil penalties totaling $34,500.
 
The Willamette Week article also touches on the possible reasons for the increase in unlicensed activity, such as economic conditions and the accessibility of online internet postings, while pointing out a fact that unlicensed tattooing is also a criminal misdemeanor.
 
Click here to access the Willamette Week article, "The Skin Game."

Meet OHLA Staff: Investigator / Inspector Michael Bui

Every year, OHLA conducts thousands of facility inspections and responds to several hundred consumer complaints against businesses and practitioners licensed by the agency.
 
OHLA inspectors and investigators such as Michael Bui are key staff members involved in determining whether or not regulated businesses and individuals are in compliance with requirements for 17 health and related professions.
 
OHLA regulatory staff conduct onsite inspections at more than 5,000 licensed facilities in the four fields of cosmetology and in the body piercing, electrology and tattooing fields to ensure facilities and practitioners are licensed and are following health, safety and infection control requirements.
 
Bui has worked as an inspector and investigator at OHLA since 2005 and currently focuses on complaints for the Board of Denture Technology and Advisory Council on Hearing Aids, although OHLA regulatory staff may work on cases involving any of OHLA's regulated professions.
 
Describe your job in approximately 25 words:
I conduct both internal and external investigations for most of the professions OHLA regulates. These investigations are frequently complicated and compliance issues vary greatly.  Investigations frequently involve potential criminal activity, fraud, unlawful trade practices and sometimes even organized crime.
 
What do you like about your job the most?
I love working with customers/licensees to help them to gain compliance with Oregon laws and rules. As an investigator/inspector I don't just write citation tickets. I help customers/licensees understand and be in compliance with OHLA requirements. Also, it gives me a lot of opportunity to travel around Oregon to see different places and meet with different people.
 
What is the most challenging aspect of your job?
The biggest challenge would have to be working with unlicensed individuals who sometimes are a challenge to locate and interview as part of an investigation.  Sometimes these interviews aren't pleasant, and sometimes you don't know what you're walking into.  That's why we partner with law enforcement in more potentially dangerous situations. 
 
How do you cope with the challenges of the job? 
Every single minute is a challenge because you will be performing multiple tasks and meeting with different people. I always prioritize the most important tasks. I believe it's best to get a clear understanding of the situation by openly listening to the customer, be able to assist them, inform the customer that you will do everything in your power to ensure that all the issues/problems should be in compliance with OHLA requirements.
 
What helps you succeed in your job?
I learned that along with understanding the basic skills necessary for the job, I always try to complete tasks as quickly as I can without making mistakes.  The enjoyment of what I'm doing helps me to succeed in my daily routine.

Visit OHLA Web Site at www.oregon.gov/OHLA

OHLA's Web site at www.oregon.gov/OHLA offers numerous features and extensive content for licensees, consumers and other agency stakeholders. 
 
Licensees can renew online, download applications and learn about new licensing and regulatory developments.  Consumers can access public education campaign materials and other helpful resources to become more informed about OHLA-regulated professions and the agency's consumer protection activities.

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