The Arkansas State Medical Board was established by the Medical Practices Act, Act 65 of 1955 and Act 289 of 1957 from which the Board is empowered to license and regulate the practice of medicine, occupational therapy, respiratory therapy, and physician assistants.  In 1971, the Arkansas Osteopathic Board was abolished and the Arkansas State Medical Board was permitted to assume the licensing and regulatory duties of this Board.  The charge given the Arkansas State Medical Board by the General Assembly enabling these acts is to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the people of the State of Arkansas with the goal that all citizens be provided with the highest quality health care.

The Arkansas State Medical Board consists of thirteen (13) members appointed by the Governor for terms of eight (8) years.  Nine (9) members are duly qualified, licensed, and active medical practitioners and appointed upon the advice and recommendation of the Arkansas Medical Society.  One (1) member is appointed from each of the six (6) congressional districts established by Acts 1951, No. 297 [repealed].  Three (3) members are appointed at large.  Two (2) members of the board are not actively engaged in or retired from the practice of medicine.  One (1) represents consumers, and one (1) is 60 years of age or older and represents the elderly.  Both are appointed from the state at large and are subject to confirmation by the Senate.  The two (2) positions may not be held by the same person.  Both are full voting members but do not participate in the grading of examinations.  One (1) member is a duly qualified, licensed, and active practitioner of osteopathy and is appointed upon the recommendation of the Arkansas Osteopathic Medical Association.  

The Board is comprised of the following individuals:

Trent P. Pierce, M.D., Chairman

Joseph M. Beck, M.D., Vice Chairman

Bob Cogburn, M.D., Secretary

Mrs. Anne Britton, Treasurer

Omar Atiq, M.D.

Harold B. Betton, M.D.

Jim Citty, M.D.

William F. Dudding, M.D.

Mr. Roger Harmon, P.D.

Patty Pettway, D.O.

Douglas F. Smart, M.D.

C. Eldon Tommey, M.D.

John B. Weiss, M.D.

 

The Board is empowered to license the following medical professions: Medical Doctor, Doctors of Osteopathy, Physician Assistants, Occupational Therapists, Occupational Therapy Assistants and Respiratory Therapists.  This Board also registers Medical Corporations.  Permanent licenses are issued when a physician completes the application process and their file has been presented and approved by the Board.  If the physician meets the criteria, a temporary permit may be issued while waiting for their file to be presented at the next regularly scheduled Board meeting.  Physician Assistants must complete the application process, appear before the examining committee along with all supervising and back up physicians, and files must be reviewed and approved before a license is issued.  Permanent licenses and temporary permits for Occupational Therapists, Occupational Therapy Assistants and Respiratory Therapists are issued, as the application process and files are completed and reviewed.

License renewals for Medical Doctors, Doctors of Osteopathy, Physician Assistants, Occupational Therapists, Occupational Therapy Assistants and Respiratory Therapists are renewed on an annual basis.  The expiration date is the last day of the licensee’s birth month.  All renewals are mailed to the licensee two (2) months prior to the last day of their birth month.  Licenses not renewed by the expiration date will expire and are subject to a late fee.  

The Arkansas State Medical Board's mission is to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the people of the State of Arkansas with the goal that all citizens are provided with the highest quality health care. The Board receives and reviews complaints against each type of medical profession which it licenses.  All complaints received are reviewed by the Board Members to determine if there have been any violations of the Medical Practices Act.  If the Board determines that violations have occurred, the necessary disciplinary actions are taken.  

Act 1066 of 1995 created the Board's Centralized Credentials Verification Service (CCVS). Arkansas became first in the nation to base a Centralized Credentials Verification Service with the licensing agency.  This State law allows the Arkansas State Medical Board to release, with a practitioner's written authorization, credentialing information needed by credentialing/healthcare organizations.  The credentialing information furnished by the Board to a credentialing/healthcare organization shall be used solely for the purpose of credentialing and the renewal of credentials.

In 1999, Act 1410 was passed, replacing the previous act (1066).  This act mandates credentialing/healthcare organizations along with physicians use the CCVS.  However, this mandate will not be effective until (1) the program holds certification by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) as a certified credentials verification organization (CVO); and (2) demonstrates compliance with the principles for credentials verification organizations set forth by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations; and (3) documents compliance with the Arkansas Department of Health Rules and Regulations applicable to credentialing.