Nursing Home Administrators Board Joins Oregon Health Licensing Agency

The Oregon Health Licensing Agency (OHLA) welcomes the Board of Examiners of Nursing Home Administrators (BENHA) to the OHLA central agency.

OHLA plans to complete the transition of BENHA by July 1, 2009, pending approval by the Oregon State Legislature.

BENHA's Web site has moved to OHLA's Web site and can be accessed by clicking on the link below. For inquiries regarding BENHA, go to http://www.oregon.gov/OHLA/NHABD/contact_us.shtml.
 
Click here to go to the Nursing Home Administrators Web site.
 
Click here to learn more about BENHA's move to OHLA (PDF). 

OHLA Proposes Legislation for Public Protection, Education, Board Membership

OHLA plans to propose legislation in 2009 that would further enhance the agency's public protection efforts while addressing recent developments in OHLA-regulated professions. 
 
The proposals look to align with Governor Ted Kulongoski's statewide goals to protect consumers and partner with business to streamline regulation.  The legislative proposals aim to:

• Strengthen the agency's ability to prevent harm to minors from unlicensed and prohibited body piercing and tattooing activities.
  
  
• Reduce confusion among consumers and further protect mothers and babies by establishing voluntary registration of unlicensed midwives
  
  
• Further standardize and improve education for hearing aid specialists and estheticians in response to continuing advances in technology.

• Standardized terms for OHLA volunteer board and council members of two consecutive four-year terms to address the smaller pool of applicants for boards and councils representing professions with fewer practitioners.
  
  
• Standardized terminology for authorizations to practice (license, registration, certification, etc.)

OHLA Establishes New Identification Requirements for Applicants

As of December 1, 2008, all applicants for an authorization to practice (license, registration or certification) must provide two or more forms of acceptable original or certified copies of identification.

The identification must be issued by a federal, state or local government agency of the United States, or other approved identification listed on the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification. 

Click here for more information on new identification requirement. 

OHLA to Review Identification, Examination, Licensure Requirements

OHLA to Mark 10th Year, Oregon to Celebrate 150 Years

Question:  Do you know which of the professions now overseen by OHLA was the first to be regulated by the state, in 1897?
 
Marking its tenth year as a state consumer protection agency in 2009, OHLA is highlighting the regulatory history of the agency and OHLA-regulated professions.  Stay tuned for updates after the new year.
 
Coincidentally, Oregon is celebrating its 150th birthday at the same time.  Click here to learn more about the state's sesquicentennial celebration.
 
Answer:  The Oregon State Legislature established the Board of Barber Examiners in 1897.

Visit www.oregon.gov/OHLA to Learn about OHLA, Regulated Professions

OHLA's Web site at www.oregon.gov/OHLA offers numerous features and extensive content for licensees, consumers and other agency stakeholders.
 
OHLA encourages licensees to access our online resources to assist with understanding and complying with state regulations to promote public health and safety and consumer rights.
 
Consumers and other agency stakeholders can use our Web site to learn more about the agency's efforts and developments in multiple health and related professions.
 
OHLA's mission is to put qualified Oregonians to work while protecting Oregon consumers.  In addition to our Web site, we also can assist you via phone (503) 378-8667, e-mail ohla.info@state.or.us and in person at 700 Summer Street NE in Salem.

Licensing Line Reader Feedback: We Want to Hear from You

Comments, suggestions and questions about Licensing Line and the issues we cover are appreciated.  Contact OHLA Communications Coordinator Kraig Bohot at kraig.bohot@state.or.us or call 503-373-1939.