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chapter-453•Hawaii Revised Statutes, Chapter 453 — Medicine and Surgery
chapter-453Haw. Rev. Stat. ch. 453CodeJan 1, 1896
Division 2. Business — Title 25. 25a
Hawaii Revised Statutes as published by the Hawaii State Legislature (files updated 1/5/2026 7:15 PM).
For the purposes of this chapter, the practice of medicine by a physician or an osteopathic physician includes the use of drugs and medicines; surgery; manual medicine; water; electricity; hypnotism; telehealth; the interpretation of tests, including primary diagnosis of pathology specimens, medical imaging, or any physical; osteopathic medicine; any means, method, or agent, either tangible or intangible, to diagnose, treat, prescribe for, palliate, or correct disease, or prevent any human disease, condition, ailment, pain, injury, deformity, illness, infirmity, defect, physical or mental condition in the human subject.
This section shall not amend or repeal the law respecting the treatment of those affected with Hansen's disease.
[L 1896, c 60, §2; am L 1909, c 133, §1; RL 1925, §1023; RL 1935, §1201; RL 1945, §2502; am L 1949, c 53, §29 and c 63, §1; RL 1955, §64-1; am L 1965, c 218, §1; HRS §453-1; am L 1969, c 152, §1; am L 1981, c 185, §1; am L 1983, c 124, §16; gen ch 1985; am L 2008, c 5, §1; am L 2021, c 97, §2]
(a) Subject to section 453-2(b), nothing in this section shall preclude any physician acting within the scope of the physician's license to practice from practicing telehealth as defined in this section.
(b) Telehealth services shall include a documented patient evaluation, including history and a discussion of physical symptoms adequate to establish a diagnosis and to identify underlying conditions or contraindications to the treatment recommended or provided.
(c) [Repeal and reenactment on December 31, 2027. L 2025, c 217, §1.] Treatment recommendations made via telehealth, including issuing a prescription via electronic means, shall be held to the same standards of appropriate practice as those in traditional physician-patient settings that do not include an in-person visit but in which prescribing is appropriate, including on-call telephone encounters and encounters for which a follow-up visit is arranged. Issuing a prescription based solely on an online questionnaire is not treatment for the purposes of this section and does not constitute an acceptable standard of care. For the purposes of prescribing opiates, a physician-patient relationship shall only be established after an in-person consultation between the prescribing physician and the patient; provided that a patient who has been seen in person by a health care provider in the same medical group as the prescribing provider authorized pursuant to section 329-33, may be prescribed an opiate prescription for a three-day supply or less via telehealth.
(d) All medical reports resulting from telehealth services are part of a patient's health record and shall be made available to the patient. Patient medical records shall be maintained in compliance with all applicable state and federal requirements including privacy requirements.
(e) A physician-patient relationship may be established via a telehealth interaction; provided that the physician has a license to practice medicine in the State.
(f) Once a physician-patient relationship is established, a patient or physician licensed in this State may use telehealth for any authorized purpose, including consultation with a medical provider licensed in another state, authorized by this section or as otherwise provided by law.
(g) The physician-patient relationship prerequisite under this section shall not apply to telehealth consultations for emergency department services.
(h) [Repeal and reenactment on December 31, 2027. L 2025, c 217, §1.] Unless otherwise provided by law, reimbursement for behavioral health services provided through telehealth via an interactive telecommunications system shall be equivalent to reimbursement for the same services provided via in-person contact between a health care provider and a patient; provided that reimbursement for two-way, real-time audio-only communication technology for purposes of diagnosis, evaluation, or treatment of a mental health disorder to a patient in the patient's home shall be equivalent to eighty per cent of the reimbursement for the same services provided via in-person contact between a health care provider and a patient. To be reimbursed for telehealth via an interactive telecommunications system using two-way, real-time audio-only communication technology in accordance with this subsection, the health care provider shall first conduct an in-person visit or a telehealth visit that is not audio only, within six months prior to the initial audio-only visit, or within twelve months prior to any subsequent audio-only visit. The telehealth visit required prior to the initial or subsequent audio-only visit in this subsection shall not be provided using audio-only communication.
(i) Services provided by telehealth pursuant to this chapter shall be consistent with all federal and state privacy, security, and confidentiality laws.
(j) [Repeal and reenactment on December 31, 2027. L 2025, c 217, §1.] For the purposes of this section:
"Distant site" means the location of the physician delivering services through telehealth at the time the services are provided.
"Interactive telecommunications system" has the same meaning as the term is defined in title 42 Code of Federal Regulations section 410.78(a).
"Originating site" means the location where the patient is located, whether accompanied or not by a health care provider, at the time services are provided by a physician through telehealth, including but not limited to a physician's office, hospital, health care facility, a patient's home, and other non-medical environments such as school-based health centers, university-based health centers, or the work location of a patient.
"Telehealth" means the use of telecommunications as defined in section 269-1, to encompass four modalities: store and forward technologies, remote monitoring, live consultation, and mobile health; and which shall include but not be limited to real-time video conferencing-based communication, secure interactive and non-interactive web-based communication, and secure asynchronous information exchange, to transmit patient medical information, including diagnostic-quality digital images and laboratory results for medical interpretation and diagnosis, for the purposes of: delivering enhanced health care services and information while a patient is at an originating site and the physician is at a distant site; establishing a physician-patient relationship; evaluating a patient; or treating a patient. Except as provided through an interactive telecommunications system, standard telephone contacts, facsimile transmissions, or e-mail text, in combination or alone, do not constitute telehealth services.
[L 2009, c 20, §2; am L 2013, c 189, §1; am L 2014, c 159, §7; am L 2016, c 226, §9; am L 2017, c 170, §2; am L 2018, c 116, §25; am L 2021, c 34, §2; am L 2023, c 107, §§6, 8; am L 2025, c 65, §2 and c 241, §9]
The Hawaii medical board may establish guidelines for physicians or osteopathic physicians with respect to patients' pain management. The guidelines shall apply to all patients with severe acute pain or severe chronic pain, regardless of the patient's prior or current chemical dependency or addiction, and may include standards and procedures for chemically dependent individuals.
[L 2004, c 189, §2; am L 2008, c 5, §2 and c 9, §3]
(a) Except as otherwise provided by law, no person shall practice medicine or surgery in the State, either gratuitously or for pay, or offer to practice medicine or surgery in the State, or advertise or announce one's self, either publicly or privately, as prepared or qualified to practice medicine or surgery in the State, or append the letters "Dr.", "M.D.", or "D.O." to one's name with the intent to imply that the person is a practitioner of medicine or surgery, without having a valid unrevoked license or a limited and temporary license obtained from the Hawaii medical board.
(b) Nothing herein shall:
(1) Apply to so-called Christian Scientists; provided that the Christian Scientists practice the religious tenets of their church without pretending a knowledge of medicine or surgery;
(2) Prohibit service in the case of emergency or the domestic administration of family remedies;
(3) Apply to any commissioned medical officer in the United States armed forces or public health service engaged in the discharge of one's official duty, including a commissioned medical officer employed by the United States Department of Defense, while providing direct telehealth support or services to neighbor island beneficiaries within a Hawaii National Guard armory on the island of Kauai, Hawaii, Molokai, or Maui; provided that the commissioned medical officer employed by the United States Department of Defense is credentialed by Tripler Army Medical Center;
(4) Apply to any practitioner of medicine and surgery from another state when in actual consultation, including in-person, mail, electronic, telephonic, fiber-optic, or other telehealth consultation with a licensed physician or osteopathic physician of this State, if the physician or osteopathic physician from another state at the time of consultation is licensed to practice in the state in which the physician or osteopathic physician resides; provided that:
(A) The physician or osteopathic physician from another state shall not open an office, or appoint a place to meet patients in this State, or receive calls within the limits of the State for the provision of care for a patient who is located in this State;
(B) The licensed physician or osteopathic physician of this State retains control and remains responsible for the provision of care for the patient who is located in this State; and
(C) The laws and rules relating to contagious diseases are not violated;
(5) Prohibit services rendered by any person licensed under part II of this chapter to provide emergency medical services, or any physician assistant, when the services are rendered under the direction and control of a physician or osteopathic physician licensed in this State except for final refraction resulting in a prescription for spectacles, contact lenses, or visual training as performed by an oculist or optometrist duly licensed by the State. The direction and control shall not be construed in every case to require the personal presence of the supervising and controlling physician or osteopathic physician. Any physician or osteopathic physician who employs or directs a person licensed under part II of this chapter to provide emergency medical services, or a physician assistant, shall retain full professional and personal responsibility for any act that constitutes the practice of medicine when performed by the licensed person or physician assistant;
(6) Prohibit automated external defibrillation by:
(A) Any first responder personnel certified by the department of health to provide automated external defibrillation when it is rendered under the medical oversight of a physician or osteopathic physician licensed in this State; or
(B) Any person acting in accordance with section 663-1.5(e); or
(7) Prohibit a radiologist duly licensed to practice medicine and provide radiology services in another state from using telehealth while located in this State to provide radiology services to a patient who is located in the state in which the radiologist is licensed. For the purposes of this paragraph:
"Distant site" means the location of the radiologist delivering services through telehealth at the time the services are provided.
"Originating site" means the location where the patient is located, whether accompanied or not by a health care provider, at the time services are provided by a radiologist through telehealth, including but not limited to a radiologist's or health care provider's office, hospital, health care facility, a patient's home, and other non-medical environments such as school-based health centers, university-based health centers, or the work location of a patient.
"Radiologist" means a doctor of medicine or a doctor of osteopathy certified in radiology by the American Board of Radiology or the American Board of Osteopathy.
"Telehealth" means the use of telecommunications, as that term is defined in section 269-1, to encompass four modalities: store and forward technologies, remote monitoring, live consultation, and mobile health; and which shall include but not be limited to real-time video conferencing-based communication, secure interactive and non-interactive web-based communication, and secure asynchronous information exchange, to transmit patient medical information, including diagnostic-quality digital images and laboratory results for medical interpretation and diagnosis, for the purpose of delivering enhanced health care services and information while a patient is at an originating site and the radiologist is at a distant site. Standard telephone contacts, facsimile transmissions, or e-mail texts, in combination or by themselves, do not constitute a telehealth service for the purposes of this paragraph.
(c) Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit healing practices by traditional Hawaiian healers engaged in traditional Native Hawaiian healing practices, both as recognized and certified as such by any kupuna council convened by Papa Ola Lokahi. No person or organization involved with the selection of kupuna council members, the convening of a kupuna council, or the certification process of healers under this subsection shall be sued or held liable for any cause of action that may arise out of their participation in the selection, convening, or certification process. Nothing in this chapter shall limit, alter, or otherwise adversely affect any rights of practice of traditional Native Hawaiian healing pursuant to the Constitution of the State of Hawaii.
[L 1896, c 60, §1; am L 1905, c 48, §1; am L 1909, c 124, §1; am L 1919, c 22, §1; am L 1920, c 37, §2; am L 1921, c 14; RL 1925, §1022; am L 1925, c 26, §1; RL 1935, §1200; am L 1939, c 183, §1; RL 1945, §2501; RL 1955, §64-2; am L 1959, c 271, §1; am L Sp 1959 2d, c 1, §19; HRS §453-2; am L 1969, c 257, §1; am L 1973, c 111, §1; am L 1976, c 219, §6; am L 1977, c 167, §12; am L 1978, c 148, §2(2); am L 1982, c 112, §4; am L 1983, c 92, pt of §1(1); am L 1984, c 168, §7; am L 1985, c 68, §14; am L 1987, c 147, §1; am L 1988, c 110, §1; am L 1993, c 163, §1; am L 1997, c 364, §3; am L 1998, c 160, §1 and c 162, §§3, 6; am L 2000, c 209, §1(2); am L 2001, c 304, §§1, 3; am L 2005, c 153, §1; am L 2007, c 91, §1 and c 255, §1; am L 2008, c 5, §3 and c 9, §3; am L 2013, c 189, §2; am L 2014, c 159, §8; am L 2016, c 226, §10; am L 2021, c 119, §4]
(a) A physician licensed and in good standing to practice as a physician in another state shall be exempt from the licensure requirements of this chapter if:
(1) The physician has a written or oral agreement with a sports team to provide care to team members and coaching staff traveling with the team for a specific sporting event to take place in the State; provided that:
(A) The physician's practice is limited to that required by the bona fide national sport governing body, intercollegiate league, or professional league;
(B) The services provided by the physician are within the physician's scope of practice; and
(C) The physician has notified the Hawaii medical board of the date the physician intends to enter and practice in the State before the physician enters the State; or
(2) The physician has been invited by a bona fide national sport governing body, intercollegiate league, or professional league to provide services to team members and coaching staff at a bona fide national sport training center in the State or to provide services at an event or competition in the State that is sanctioned by the bona fide national sport governing body, intercollegiate league, or professional league; provided that:
(A) The physician's practice is limited to that required by the bona fide national sport governing body, intercollegiate league, or professional league;
(B) The services provided by the physician are within the physician's scope of practice; and
(C) The physician has notified the Hawaii medical board of the date the physician intends to enter and practice in the State before the physician enters the State.
(b) Nothing in this section shall be construed to permit a physician exempted by this section to:
(1) Provide care or consultation to any person residing in the State, other than a person specified in subsection (a); or
(2) Practice at a licensed health care facility in the State.
(c) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, an exemption pursuant to subsection (a)(1) shall be valid while the physician is traveling with the sports team, but shall be no longer than ten days per individual sporting event. Upon application to the Hawaii medical board and for good cause shown, the Hawaii medical board may extend the time period in this subsection up to twenty days per individual sporting event, for a total of thirty days; provided that no physician shall be granted extensions that total more than thirty days in a calendar year.
(d) An exemption pursuant to subsection (a)(2) shall be valid during the time certified by the bona fide national sport governing body, intercollegiate league, or professional league; provided that no exemption shall be valid for more than thirty days.
(e) The Hawaii medical board may enter into agreements with medical and osteopathic licensing boards of other states to implement this section. Agreements may include procedures for reporting potential medical license violations.
[L 2023, c 106, §1]
The Hawaii medical board shall issue a limited and temporary license to an applicant who has not been examined as required by section 453-4, and against whom no disciplinary proceedings are pending in any state or territory, if the applicant is otherwise qualified to be examined, and upon determination that:
(1) There is an absence or a shortage of licensed physicians or osteopathic physicians in a particular locality, and that the applicant has been duly licensed as a physician or osteopathic physician by written examination under the laws of another state or territory of the United States. A limited and temporary license issued hereunder shall permit the practice of medicine and surgery by the applicant only in the particular locality, and no other, as shall be set forth in the license issued to the applicant. The license shall be valid only for a period of eighteen months from the date of issuance. The board shall establish guidelines to determine a locality with an absence or shortage of physicians or osteopathic physicians. For this purpose, the board may consider a locality to have an absence or shortage of physicians or osteopathic physicians if the absence or shortage results from the temporary loss of a physician or osteopathic physician. In designating a locality with an absence or shortage of physicians or osteopathic physicians, the board shall not delegate its authority to a private organization;
(2) The applicant is to be employed by an agency or department of the state or county government, and that the applicant has been duly licensed as a physician or osteopathic physician by written examination under the laws of another state or territory of the United States. A limited and temporary license issued hereunder shall only be valid for the practice of medicine and surgery while the applicant is in the employ of the governmental agency or department and in no case shall be used to provide private patient care for a fee. A license issued under this paragraph may be renewed from year to year;
(3) The applicant would practice medicine and surgery only while under the direction of a physician or osteopathic physician regularly licensed in the State other than as permitted by this section, and that the applicant intends to take the regular licensing examination conducted by the board within the next eighteen months. A limited and temporary license issued under this paragraph shall be valid for no more than eighteen months from the date of issuance, unless otherwise extended at the discretion of the Hawaii medical board; provided that this discretionary extension shall not exceed a period of six months beyond the original expiration date of the limited and temporary license;
(4) The applicant has been appointed as a resident or accepted for specialty training in a health care facility or organized ambulatory health care facility as defined in section 323D-2 or a hospital approved by the board, and that the applicant shall be limited in the practice of medicine and surgery to the extent required by the duties of the applicant's position or by the program of training while at the health care facility, organized ambulatory health care facility, or hospital. The license shall be valid during the period in which the applicant remains as a resident in training, and may be renewed from year to year during the period; or
(5) A public emergency exists, and that the applicant has been duly licensed as a physician or osteopathic physician by written examination under the laws of another state or territory of the United States. A limited and temporary license issued hereunder shall only be valid for the period of the public emergency.
Nothing herein requires the registration or licensing hereunder of nurses, or other similar persons, acting under the direction and control of a licensed physician or osteopathic physician.
[L 1965, c 218, §2; Supp, §64-2.5; HRS §453-3; am L 1969, c 257, §2; am L 1970, c 32, §1; am L 1973, c 126, §1; am L 1983, c 92, pt of §1(1); am L 1984, c 168, §8; am L 1988, c 110, §2; am L 1992, c 68, §1; am L 1997, c 74, §1; am L 2008, c 5, §4 and c 9, §3]
[Repealed]
[L 1983, c 92, §1(11)]
(a) The board may issue an educational teaching license to a physician or osteopathic physician who is not licensed in this State and who is invited by the chief of service of a clinical department of a hospital to provide and promote professional education for students, interns, residents, fellows, doctors of medicine, and doctors of osteopathic medicine in this State. In no case shall an educational teaching license issued hereunder be valid for more than a period of twelve months from the date of issuance of the license.
(b) To receive an educational teaching license, the applicant shall:
(1) Complete an application as prescribed by the board, which shall include a summary of the applicant's medical, educational, and professional background;
(2) Provide proof that the applicant is licensed as a physician or osteopathic physician in another state or country and the license is current and in good standing;
(3) Submit a letter with the application signed by the chief of service of a clinical department of a hospital attesting that the chief of service is a licensed physician or osteopathic physician of this State and is requesting to sponsor and monitor the applicant while the person is engaged in educational or teaching activities for the hospital under an educational teaching license; and
(4) Pay all applicable fees.
(c) The holder of an educational teaching license shall not open or appoint a place to meet patients, or receive calls from patients relating to the practice of medicine, beyond the parameters of the hospital that is sponsoring and monitoring the licensee's activities.
(d) The holder of an educational teaching license shall obey all laws and rules of this State.
[L 1992, c 22, §1; am L 2008, c 5, §5]
(a) The board may issue a limited and temporary license to a physician or osteopathic physician to maintain patient services for the purpose of substituting for another physician or osteopathic physician licensed in this State to enable specialized training at an out-of-state fully accredited medical teaching institution; provided that the out-of-state physician or osteopathic physician:
(1) Is board certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties or Bureau of Osteopathic Specialties in the subspecialty in which the Hawaii physician or osteopathic physician is seeking training;
(2) Is a member of the teaching faculty of the accredited medical teaching institution;
(3) Has an unrestricted license in another state;
(4) Has been invited by the chief of a clinical department of a hospital; and
(5) Has been examined and approved by the hospital's credential process.
The limited and temporary license issued under this section shall expire upon notification of the board by the Hawaii-licensed physician or osteopathic physician that the physician or osteopathic physician has resumed the physician's or osteopathic physician's practice in this State. Licenses and extensions of licenses issued under this section to an individual shall not be valid for more than nine months during any consecutive twenty-four month period.
(b) The chief of the clinical department in which the out-of-state physician or osteopathic physician will practice shall submit a letter to the board that shall include, without limitation, the following:
(1) Identification and documentation of unrestricted license for the applicant for the specialty training license;
(2) A statement that the hospital is sponsoring the applicant, and shall be responsible for monitoring the individual physician or osteopathic physician during the period of the temporary license;
(3) Verification of the start and end dates for the requested temporary license; and
(4) Verification that the chief of the clinical department is a licensed physician or osteopathic physician of this State.
(c) The holder of a specialty training license shall obey and be subject to all laws and rules of this State.
[L 1997, c 364, §2; am L 2008, c 5, §6]
(a) Except as otherwise provided by law, no person shall be licensed to practice medicine or surgery unless the applicant has passed an examination and has been found to possess the necessary qualifications. No applicant shall be eligible for the examination sooner than the first year of residency; provided that if the applicant is a graduate of a foreign medical school, the applicant shall be eligible no sooner than the second year of residency.
(b) Before any applicant shall be eligible for licensure, the applicant shall furnish proof satisfactory to the board that:
(1) The applicant is of demonstrated competence and professional knowledge; and
(2) The applicant is a graduate of:
(A) A medical school or college whose program leading to the M.D. degree is accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education or whose program leading to the D.O. degree is approved by the American Osteopathic Association Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation, and has served a residency of at least one year in a program that has been accredited for the training of resident physicians or osteopathic physicians by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education or the American Osteopathic Association, respectively, or a residency of at least one year in a program in Canada that has been accredited for the training of resident physicians by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, or the College of Family Physicians of Canada; or
(B) A foreign medical school and has had at least two years of residency in a program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education or the American Osteopathic Association, or has had at least two years of residency in a program in Canada that has been accredited for the training of resident physicians by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, or by the College of Family Physicians of Canada; and:
(i) Holds the national certificate of the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates, or its successor, or for applicants with residency training in Canada, has passed with scores deemed satisfactory by the board, the Medical Council of Canada Evaluating Examination, or its successor; or
(ii) Holds the certificate of the Fifth Pathway Program of the American Medical Association;
provided that for a period of two years after June 26, 2004, the requirements of subsection (b)(2)(B)(i) and (ii) shall not apply to any applicant who has had four years of residency in a program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education or the American Osteopathic Association and who has passed, with scores deemed satisfactory by the board, the Special Purpose Examination (SPEX).
(c) Applicants who have passed, with scores deemed satisfactory by the board, the National Board of Medical Examiners examination (NBME), the Federation Licensing Examination (FLEX), the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), or a combination of these examinations as approved by the board, or the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners examination (NBOME), the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX-USA), or the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE), and who meet the requirements of subsection (b) shall be licensed without the necessity of any further examination; provided that with respect to any applicant, the board may require letters of evaluation, professional evaluation forms, and interviews with chiefs of service or attending physicians or osteopathic physicians who have been associated with an applicant, or chief residents on a service who have been associated with an applicant during the applicant's training or practice, to be used by the board in assessing the applicant's qualifications to practice medicine.
(d) Applicants who are licensed in another state by virtue of having passed a state-produced examination may qualify for licensure if they have passed the Special Purpose Examination (SPEX) or the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Variable-Purpose Examination – USA (COMVEX-USA) and meet the requirements of subsection (b); provided that the board may require letters of evaluation, professional evaluation forms, and interviews with chiefs of service, attending physicians, or osteopathic physicians who have been associated with an applicant, or chief residents on a service who have been associated with an applicant during the applicant's training or practice, to be used by the board in assessing the applicant's qualifications to practice medicine.
[L 1896, c 60, §3; am L 1920, c 37, §1; RL 1925, §1024; am L 1925, c 26, §2; RL 1935, §1203; am L 1939, c 183, §1; am L 1941, c 181, §1; am L Sp 1941, c 40, §§1 to 3; RL 1945, §2503; am L 1951, c 173, §1; RL 1955, §64-3; am L 1957, c 219, §1; am L 1959, c 149, §1 and c 271, §2; am L 1961, c 72, §1; am L 1965, c 218, §3; HRS §453-4; am L 1969, c 152, §1 and c 257, §3; am L 1970, c 75, §1; am L 1972, c 167, §1; am L 1973, c 126, §2; am L 1976, c 219, §7; am L 1982, c 227, §2; am L 1983, c 92, pt of §1(2); am L 1984, c 168, §9; am L 1985, c 25, §1 and c 54, §1; am L 1988, c 110, §3; am L 1990, c 295, §1; am L 1993, c 164, §1; am L 1996, c 103, §1 and c 183, §1; am L 2004, c 205, §2; am L 2008, c 5, §7]
Notwithstanding section 453-4(b)(2)(B), a graduate of a foreign medical school may be licensed by the Hawaii medical board under section 453-4(c) if the graduate:
(1) Passed the Federation Licensing Examination (FLEX) or the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), or a combination of these examinations as approved by the board, with scores deemed satisfactory to the board, passed the qualifying examination of the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates, and has at least three years of medical training or experience in a hospital approved by the Council on Medical Education and Hospitals of the American Medical Association for internship or residency; or
(2) Passed the Federation Licensing Examination (FLEX) or the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), or a combination of these examinations as approved by the board, with scores deemed satisfactory to the board, possesses an Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates certificate, and has successfully completed two years of post-graduate medical training in a program approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education or American Osteopathic Association or a Canadian program that has been accredited for resident training by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada or College of Family Physicians of Canada; provided that if the post-graduate medical training involves a subspecialty clinical fellowship program, the board may accept post-graduate medical training in a hospital that has an Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education or American Osteopathic Association or accredited Canadian post graduate medical training program in the parent specialty.
[L 1988, c 133, §1; am L 1993, c 164, §2; am L 2008, c 9, §3; am L 2025, c 174, §1]
(a) The board may issue a license by endorsement to a physician, surgeon, or osteopathic physician if:
(1) The applicant:
(A) Files an application and pays fees as prescribed by the board;
(B) Holds a current, unencumbered, active license in a jurisdiction that requires qualifications substantially equivalent to or greater than the qualifications for licensure in this State as specified in section 453-4; and
(C) Submits proof satisfactory to the board that the applicant has actively practiced medicine in another jurisdiction for at least two of the immediate preceding five years; and
(2) The board determines that no disciplinary action has been taken by any medical licensing authority and the applicant has not been the subject of adverse judgments or settlements resulting from the practice of medicine that the board determines constitute evidence of a pattern of negligence or incompetence.
(b) The board may require an applicant seeking licensure by endorsement to take and pass the Special Purpose Examination (SPEX) or the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Variable-Purpose Examination – USA (COMVEX-USA) to assist the board in determining the applicant's ability to safely and competently engage in the practice of medicine.
[L 2018, c 44, §2]
(a) For the purpose of carrying out this chapter, the governor shall appoint a Hawaii medical board whose duty it shall be to examine all applicants for license to practice medicine or surgery. As used in this chapter, "board" means the Hawaii medical board.
The board shall consist of eleven persons, seven of whom shall be physicians or surgeons licensed under the laws of the State, two of whom shall be osteopathic physicians licensed under the laws of the State, and two of whom shall be lay members appointed from the public at large. Of the nine members who are physicians, surgeons, or osteopathic physicians, at least five shall be appointed from the city and county of Honolulu and at least one shall be appointed from each of the other counties. Medical societies in the various counties may conduct elections periodically but no less frequently than every two years to determine nominees for the board to be submitted to the governor. In making appointments, the governor may consider recommendations submitted by the medical societies and the public at large. Each member shall serve until a successor is appointed and qualified.
(b) The department shall employ, not subject to chapter 76, an executive secretary to administer the board's activities and an employee to administer the medical inquiry and conciliation panels established under chapter 671. The employee responsible for administration of the medical inquiry and conciliation panels shall have no duties in administration of the board's activities.
[L 1896, c 60, §4; RL 1925, §1025; RL 1935, §1204; RL 1945, §2504; am L 1953, c 86, §1; RL 1955, §64-4; am L Sp 1959 2d, c 1, §§5, 19; HRS §453-5; am L 1969, c 257, §4; am L 1976, c 219, §8; am L 1982, c 204, §8; am L 1983, c 92, pt of §1(2); am L 1984, c 168, §10; am L 1985, c 106, §1; am L 1992, c 202, §98; am L 1999, c 248, §3; am L 2000, c 253, §150; am L 2008, c 9, §2; am L 2012, c 296, §2]
In addition to other powers and duties authorized by law, the Hawaii medical board shall have all the powers necessary or convenient to effectuate the purpose of this chapter, including, without limitation, the following powers:
(1) To adopt rules, pursuant to chapter 91; and
(2) To enforce this chapter and rules adopted pursuant thereto.
[L 1977, c 107, §1; ree L 1983, c 92, pt of §1(3); am L 1992, c 202, §99; am L 2008, c 9, §3]
[Repealed]
[L 1992, c 202, §212]
(a) The Hawaii medical board shall require each person practicing medicine under the supervision of a physician, osteopathic physician, or group of physicians, other than a person licensed under section 453-3, to be licensed as a physician assistant. A person who is trained to do only a very limited number of diagnostic or therapeutic procedures under the direction of a physician or osteopathic physician shall not be deemed a practitioner of medicine or osteopathy and therefore does not require licensure under this section.
(b) The board shall establish medical educational and training standards with which a person applying for licensure as a physician assistant shall comply. The standards shall be at least equal to recognized national education and training standards for physician assistants.
(c) Upon satisfactory proof of compliance with the required medical educational and training standards, the board may grant state licensure to a person who has been granted certification based upon passage of a national certifying examination and who holds a current certificate from the national certifying entity approved by the board.
(d) The board shall approve temporary licensure of an applicant under this section. The applicant shall have graduated from a board approved training program within twelve months of the date of application and never taken a national certifying examination approved by the board but otherwise meets the requirements of this section. The applicant shall file a complete application with the board and pay all required fees. If the applicant fails to apply for, or to take, the first examination scheduled by the board following the issuance of the temporary license, fails to pass the examination, or fails to receive licensure, all privileges under this section shall automatically cease upon written notification sent to the applicant by the board. A temporary license shall be issued only once to each person.
(e) Prior to practicing under temporary licensure, holders of temporary licenses shall notify the board in writing of any and all supervising physicians or osteopathic physicians under whom they will be performing services.
(f) The board shall establish the degree of supervision required by the supervising physician, osteopathic physician, or group of physicians when a physician assistant performs a service within the practice of medicine. A physician or osteopathic physician who does not supervise a physician assistant's services at the degree required by the board shall be deemed to have engaged in professional misconduct.
(g) For medical records of patients seen by physician assistants:
(1) Each physician assistant and supervising physician, osteopathic physician, or group of physicians shall establish written guidelines for the review of medical records as appropriate to the specific practice. These guidelines shall be kept in the office of the practice setting in which either the physician assistant or supervising physician, osteopathic physician, or group of physicians practices, and shall be made available to the Hawaii medical board and the regulated industries complaints office or its designees;
(2) The supervising physician, osteopathic physician, or group of physicians shall review medical records as required by this subsection; provided that:
(A) When supervising a physician assistant with less than one year of practice experience as a licensed physician assistant, the supervising physician, osteopathic physician, or group of physicians shall:
(i) For the first six months of supervision, review fifty per cent of the medical records within thirty days of the patient visit;
(ii) For the next six months of supervision, review twenty-five per cent of the medical records within thirty days of the patient visit; and
(iii) For physician assistants who issue controlled substance prescriptions, at least fifty per cent of the records reviewed under clause (i) or (ii) shall include controlled substance prescriptions; provided further that if the number of records that include controlled substance prescriptions amounts to less than fifty per cent of the records in clause (i) or (ii), the supervising physician, osteopathic physician, or group of physicians shall review as many controlled substance prescriptions as are available.
The board may, on a case-by-case basis, require physician assistants who begin in a new practice specialty with less than one year of full-time practice experience in the specialty to comply with this clause; and
(B) When supervising a physician assistant with more than one year of practice experience as a licensed physician assistant, the supervising physician, osteopathic physician, or group of physicians shall:
(i) Establish a process for the regular review of a sample of medical records of patients seen by the physician assistant, including a sample of controlled substance records, if available; and
(ii) For at least thirty minutes each month, perform an audit and review of the medical records; and
(3) Notwithstanding paragraph (2), a supervising physician, osteopathic physician, or group of physicians may require additional supervisory requirements at any time for patient safety.
(h) Any license of a physician assistant may be denied, not renewed, revoked, limited, or suspended under section 453-8.
(i) The board shall establish the application procedure, medical educational and training standards, examination requirement, if any, and degrees of supervision by rule.
(j) Every person holding a license under this section shall apply for renewal with the board no later than January 31 of each even-numbered year and pay a renewal fee. Failure to apply for renewal shall constitute a forfeiture of the license that may only be restored upon written application for restoration and payment to the board of a restoration fee.
(k) Beginning with the renewal for the licensing biennium commencing February 1, 2020, and every biennial renewal thereafter, a physician assistant shall be in compliance with continuing medical education requirements by obtaining forty credit hours in:
(1) A category 1 continuing medical education program accredited by the American Medical Association;
(2) A category 1A continuing medical education program accredited by the American Osteopathic Association; or
(3) A category 1 continuing medical education program accredited by the American Academy of Physician Assistants.
(l) To determine compliance with the continuing medical education requirements under subsection (k), the board may conduct random audits of physician assistants' continuing education documentation. A physician assistant selected for audit shall be notified by the board. Within sixty days of notification, the physician assistant shall provide the board documentation to verify compliance with the continuing medical education requirements.
(m) Failure to renew, pay the renewal fee, and, in the case of audited physician assistants, provide documentation of compliance with the continuing medical education requirements under subsection (k), shall constitute a forfeiture of license, which may be restored upon the submission of written application therefor, payment to the board of a restoration fee, and, in the case of audited physician assistants, documentation of compliance with the continuing medical education requirements under subsection (k).
(n) A license that has been forfeited for one renewal term shall be automatically terminated and cannot be restored. A new application for licensure shall be required.
[L 1984, c 168, pt of §1; am L 1986, c 144, §1; am L 1988, c 110, §4; am L 1989, c 181, §2; am L 1991, c 52, §1; am L 1999, c 90, §3; am L 2008, c 5, §8 and c 9, §3; am L 2019, c 181, §2; am L 2022, c 293, §10]
There shall be a physician assistant advisory committee under the Hawaii medical board consisting solely of persons licensed under section 453-5.3. The committee shall review all complaints and requests relating to physician assistants, and review and recommend revisions of the physician assistant regulations.
The chairperson of the committee shall be the representative for the committee members to the Hawaii medical board for the purpose of providing input to the board from the physician assistant's perspective on issues and concerns, including complaints and requests, regarding physician assistants. The chairperson shall not be a member of the Hawaii medical board to avoid conflict of interests.
[L 1993, c 183, §3; am L 1999, c 90, §4; am L 2008, c 9, §3]
Any physician assistant who holds a current, valid, and permanent license to practice medicine pursuant to this chapter, and who is under the supervision of a licensed physician or osteopathic physician, shall have the authority to sign the following documents:
(1) Certification of psychiatric medical condition of the parents of a child applicant for aid from the temporary assistance for needy families program;
(2) Evaluation forms for Hansen's disease patients;
(3) Orders for physical therapy and plans of care;
(4) Pharmacist orders to assist in monitoring and management of anticoagulation anemia and atrial fibrillation;
(5) Orders for speech therapy and plans of care;
(6) Applications for bracelets indicating compassionate care only;
(7) Admissions applications for foster homes;
(8) Dietary consultations forms;
(9) Medicaid application forms for nursing care facility admission;
(10) Orders for occupational therapy and plans of care; and
(11) Orders for respiratory therapy and plans of care.
[L 2009, c 151, §2; am L 2022, c 293, §11; am L 2023, c 102, §1]
(a) No applicant shall be examined under this chapter until the applicant has paid to the board application, examination, and license fees. The board may provide separate fees for licensure by endorsement and for limited and temporary licenses.
(b) Every physician or surgeon holding a license under this chapter shall renew the license with the board no later than January 31 of each even-numbered year. Every osteopathic physician or surgeon holding a license previously issued under chapter 460 and this chapter shall renew the license with the board no later than June 30 of each even-numbered year. Every physician, osteopathic physician, or surgeon shall pay a renewal fee and comply with the category 1 or 1A continuing medical education requirements provided in rules adopted by the board.
(c) A physician, osteopathic physician, or surgeon shall meet the category 1 or 1A continuing medical education requirements by obtaining credit hours in a category 1 or 1A continuing medical education program accredited by the American Medical Association or the American Osteopathic Association or in other approved category 1 or 1A continuing medical education as provided in the board's rules. To determine compliance, the board may conduct a random audit. A physician, osteopathic physician, or surgeon selected for audit shall be notified by the board. Within sixty days of notification, the physician, osteopathic physician, or surgeon shall provide to the board documentation to verify compliance with the category 1 or 1A continuing medical education requirements.
(d) Failure to renew, pay the renewal fee, and, in the case of audited physicians, osteopathic physicians, or surgeons, provide documentation of compliance shall constitute a forfeiture of license, which may be restored only upon the submission of written application therefor, payment to the board of a restoration fee, and, in the case of audited physicians, osteopathic physicians, and surgeons, documentation of compliance.
(e) A license that has been forfeited for one renewal term shall be automatically terminated and cannot be restored, and a new application for licensure shall be required.
[L 1896, c 60, §5; am L 1920, c 37, §2; am L 1921, c 14, §§5, 10; RL 1925, §1026; am L 1925, c 26, §3; am imp L 1925, cc 27, 29; RL 1935, §1205; am L 1939, c 183, pt of §1; RL 1945, §2505; RL 1955, §64-5; am L 1957, c 316, §5; am L Sp 1959 2d, c 1, §§14, 15; am L 1961, c 184, §10; am L 1963, c 114, §§1, 3; am L 1965, c 218, §4; HRS §453-6; am L 1971, c 31, §1; am L 1975, c 118, §17; am L 1976, c 219, §9; am L 1983, c 92, §1(4); am L 1985, c 87, §1; am L 1989, c 181, §3; am L 1992, c 202, §100; am L 2001, c 66, §1; am L 2008, c 5, §9]
§453-6.5 REPEALED. L 1988, c 110, §5.
The form of license to practice medicine and surgery shall be substantially as follows:
State of Hawaii, Hawaii Medical Board
License to Practice Medicine and Surgery
....................., having been duly examined by the Hawaii Medical Board, and having been found to be possessed of the necessary qualifications, is hereby licensed to practice medicine and surgery in the State of Hawaii.
This license is granted and accepted on the express condition that it may be revoked at any time for any of the causes enumerated in section 453-8, Hawaii Revised Statutes, which cause or causes shall have been proven to the satisfaction of the Hawaii Medical Board.
Given under the seal of the Hawaii Medical Board this .......... day of ..................., A.D. ..........
By .....................
Chairperson, Hawaii Medical Board
The form of temporary and limited license to practice medicine and surgery shall be substantially as follows:
State of Hawaii, Hawaii Medical Board
Limited and Temporary License to Practice
Medicine and Surgery
...................., having been duly considered by the Hawaii Medical Board, and having been found to be possessed of the necessary qualifications, is hereby temporarily licensed to practice medicine and surgery in the State of Hawaii, subject to the following conditions and limitations: ...................
..................................... .......................
This temporary and limited license is granted and accepted on the express condition that it may be revoked at any time for any of the causes enumerated in section 453-8, Hawaii Revised Statutes, or for any violation of the conditions and limitations contained herein.
Given under the seal of the Hawaii Medical Board this .......... day of ...................., A.D. ....................
By .....................
Chairperson, Hawaii Medical Board
[L 1896, c 60, §9; RL 1925, §1027; am L 1925, c 26, §4; RL 1935, §1206; am L 1939, c 183, pt of §1; RL 1945, §2506; RL 1955, §64-6; am L 1963, c 59, §1; am L 1965, c 218, §5; HRS §453-7; am L 1969, c 257, §5; am L 1983, c 92, pt of §1(5); gen ch 1993; am L 2008, c 9, §3]
(a) The department of commerce and consumer affairs shall review each complaint, inquiry, and information, as applicable, received under sections 92-17, 329-44, 453-8.7, 663-1.7, and 671-5. The department shall investigate the complaint, inquiry, or information if it appears that the physician or osteopathic physician who is the subject of the complaint, inquiry, or information has violated this chapter. If the department determines that the physician or osteopathic physician has violated this chapter, the department shall present the results of its investigation to the Hawaii medical board for appropriate disciplinary proceedings.
(b) Reports of adverse decisions of peer review committees transmitted to the department under section 663-1.7 shall not be available to public inspection or subject to discovery and shall be held confidential by the department; provided that:
(1) A written affirmative or negative reply may be given to a written inquiry by a hospital or health care facility as to whether a report of an adverse decision is on file with the department; and
(2) A subpoenaed report shall be subject to the requirements under section 453-17.
[L 1984, c 168, pt of §1; am L 2008, c 5, §10 and c 9, §3; am L 2012, c 296, §3]
(a) In addition to any other actions authorized by law, any license to practice medicine and surgery may be revoked, limited, or suspended by the board at any time in a proceeding before the board, or may be denied, for any cause authorized by law, including but not limited to the following:
(1) Procuring, or aiding or abetting in procuring, an abortion that is unlawful under the laws of this State or that would be unlawful under the laws of this State if performed within this State;
(2) Employing any person to solicit patients for one's self;
(3) Engaging in false, fraudulent, or deceptive advertising, including but not limited to:
(A) Making excessive claims of expertise in one or more medical specialty fields;
(B) Assuring a permanent cure for an incurable disease; or
(C) Making any untruthful and improbable statement in advertising one's medical or surgical practice or business;
(4) Being habituated to the excessive use of drugs or alcohol; or being addicted to, dependent on, or a habitual user of a narcotic, barbiturate, amphetamine, hallucinogen, or other drug having similar effects;
(5) Practicing medicine while the ability to practice is impaired by alcohol, drugs, physical disability, or mental instability;
(6) Procuring a license through fraud, misrepresentation, or deceit, or knowingly permitting an unlicensed person to perform activities requiring a license;
(7) Professional misconduct, hazardous negligence causing bodily injury to another, or manifest incapacity in the practice of medicine or surgery;
(8) Incompetence or multiple instances of negligence, including but not limited to the consistent use of medical service, which is inappropriate or unnecessary;
(9) Conduct or practice contrary to recognized standards of ethics of the medical profession as adopted by the Hawaii Medical Association, the American Medical Association, the Hawaii Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons, or the American Osteopathic Association;
(10) Violation of the conditions or limitations upon which a limited or temporary license is issued;
(11) Revocation, suspension, or other disciplinary action by another state or federal agency of a license, certificate, or medical privilege, except when the revocation, suspension, or other disciplinary action was based on the provision or assistance in receipt or provision of medical, surgical, pharmaceutical, counseling, or referral services relating to the human reproductive system, including but not limited to services relating to pregnancy, contraception, or the termination of a pregnancy, so long as the provision or assistance in receipt or provision of the services was in accordance with the laws of this State or would have been in accordance with the laws of this State if it occurred within this State;
(12) Conviction, whether by nolo contendere or otherwise, of a penal offense substantially related to the qualifications, functions, or duties of a physician or osteopathic physician, notwithstanding any statutory provision to the contrary, except when the conviction was based on the provision or assistance in receipt or provision of medical, surgical, pharmaceutical, counseling, or referral services relating to the human reproductive system, including but not limited to services relating to pregnancy, contraception, or the termination of a pregnancy, so long as the provision or assistance in receipt or provision of the services was in accordance with the laws of this State or would have been in accordance with the laws of this State if it occurred within this State;
(13) Violation of chapter 329, the uniform controlled substances act, or any rule adopted thereunder except as provided in section 329-122;
(14) Failure to report to the board, in writing, any disciplinary decision issued against the licensee or the applicant in another jurisdiction within thirty days after the disciplinary decision is issued; or
(15) Submitting to or filing with the board any notice, statement, or other document required under this chapter, which is false or untrue or contains any material misstatement or omission of fact.
(b) If disciplinary action related to the practice of medicine has been taken against the applicant by another state or federal agency, or if the applicant reveals a physical or mental condition that would constitute a violation under this section, then the board may impose one or more of the following requirements as a condition for licensure:
(1) Physical and mental evaluation of the applicant by a licensed physician or osteopathic physician approved by the board;
(2) Probation, including conditions of probation as requiring observation of the licensee by an appropriate group or society of licensed physicians, osteopathic physicians, or surgeons;
(3) Limitation of the license by restricting the fields of practice in which the licensee may engage;
(4) Further education or training or proof of performance competency; and
(5) Limitation of the medical practice of the licensee in any reasonable manner to assure the safety and welfare of the consuming public;
provided that the board shall not impose as a condition for licensure any of the requirements pursuant to this subsection if the disciplinary action related to the practice of medicine taken against the applicant was based on the provision or assistance in receipt or provision of medical, surgical, pharmaceutical, counseling, or referral services relating to the human reproductive system, including but not limited to services relating to pregnancy, contraception, or the termination of a pregnancy, so long as the provision or assistance in receipt or provision of the services was in accordance with the laws of this State or would have been in accordance with the laws of this State if it occurred within this State.
(c) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the board may deny a license to any applicant who has been disciplined by another state or federal agency, except on the basis of discipline for the provision or assistance in receipt or provision of medical, surgical, pharmaceutical, counseling, or referral services relating to the human reproductive system, including but not limited to services relating to pregnancy, contraception, or the termination of a pregnancy, so long as the provision or assistance in receipt or provision of the services was in accordance with the laws of this State or would have been in accordance with the laws of this State if it occurred within this State. Any final order of discipline taken pursuant to this subsection shall be a matter of public record.
(d) Where the board has reasonable cause to believe that a licensee is or may be unable to practice medicine with reasonable skill and safety to protect patients, the board may order the licensee to submit to a mental or physical examination or any combination thereof, by a licensed practitioner approved by the board, at the licensee's expense. The examination may include biological fluid testing and other testing known to detect the presence of alcohol or other drugs. In addition:
(1) Any licensee shall be deemed to have consented to submit to a mental or physical examination when so directed by the board and to have waived all objection to the use or referral of information by the board to determine whether the licensee is able to practice medicine with reasonable skill and safety to protect patients;
(2) The board may seek to enforce an order directing a licensee to submit to a mental or physical examination in the circuit court in the county in which the licensee resides;
(3) Failure of a licensee to submit to an examination ordered under this subsection shall constitute grounds for summary suspension of the licensee's license; and
(4) The board may take any action authorized under this chapter based on information obtained under this subsection.
(e) Any person licensed by the board, including a physician, surgeon, or physician assistant, who provides information to the board indicating that a board licensee may be guilty of unprofessional conduct or may be impaired because of drug or alcohol abuse or mental illness shall not be liable for any damages in any civil action based on the communication. The immunity afforded by this section shall be in addition to any immunity afforded by section 663-1.7, if applicable, and shall not be construed to affect the availability of any absolute privilege under sections 663-1.7 and 671D-10.
[L 1896, c 60, §7; am L 1917, c 116, §1; RL 1925, §1029; am L 1925, c 26, §5; RL 1935, §1208; am L 1939, c 183, pt of §1; am L 1941, c 4, §2; RL 1945, §2507; am L 1947, c 201, pt of §1; am L 1949, c 108, §1; RL 1955, §64-7; am L Sp 1959 2d, c 1, §19; am L 1965, c 218, §6; HRS §453-8; am L 1969, c 257, §6; am L 1974, c 205, §2(15); am L 1976, c 219, §10; am L 1977, c 167, §13; am L 1982, c 227, §3; am L 1983, c 22, §1 and c 92, pt of §1(5); am L 1984, c 16, §1; am L 1986, c 144, §2; am L 1987, c 76, §1; am L 1988, c 110, §6; am L 1989, c 181, §4; am L 1992, c 177, §3 and c 202, §101; am L 2000, c 228, §3; am L 2008, c 5, §11; am L 2013, c 219, §2; am L 2016, c 38, §7; am L 2023, c 2, §7]
A physician, osteopathic physician, or surgeon may request, in writing, that the board limit the individual's license to practice. The board may grant the request and may impose conditions on the limited license. The board shall determine whether and when the limitation shall be removed.
[L 1976, c 219, pt of §14; am L 1983, c 92, pt of §1(6); am L 2008, c 5, §12]
(a) In addition to any other actions authorized by law, in disciplining a licensee in a proceeding held in conformity with chapter 91, the board may impose one or more of the following sanctions:
(1) Place the licensee on probation, including conditions of probation as requiring observation of the licensee by an appropriate group or society of licensed physicians, osteopathic physicians, or surgeons;
(2) Suspend the license;
(3) Revoke the license;
(4) Limit the license by restricting the fields of practice in which the licensee may engage;
(5) Fine the licensee, including assessment against the licensee of the costs of the disciplinary proceedings. Any fine imposed by the board after a hearing in accordance with chapter 91 shall be not less than $500 and not more than $5,000 for each violation, exclusive of the costs of the disciplinary proceedings;
(6) Require further education or training, or require proof of performance competency; or
(7) Censure or reprimand.
(b) Unless otherwise expressly provided, the actions, remedies, or penalties provided by this chapter are cumulative to each other and to the actions, remedies, or penalties available under all other laws of this State.
[L 1976, c 219, pt of §14; am L 1983, c 92, pt of §1(6); am L 1986, c 144, §3; am L 1992, c 202, §102; am L 2004, c 26, §1; am L 2008, c 5, §13]
[Repealed]
[L 1984, c 168, §19]
[§453-8.4] Summary suspension. (a) The board may summarily suspend any license issued under this chapter upon a specific determination that the failure to take such an action may result in an immediate and unreasonable threat to personal safety or of fraud that jeopardizes or endangers the health or safety of patients as determined by the professional standards of care upon consumers, and that, for the protection of the public from the possible consequences of such practices, the license should be immediately suspended or restricted.
(b) The order of summary suspension shall include a brief statement of findings of fact and conclusions of law and shall be served upon the licensee as required by chapter 91. The order of summary suspension shall be effective upon service.
(c) A licensee served with an order of summary suspension shall have the right to request a hearing to show cause why the order of summary suspension should be terminated. Any request for a hearing shall be made in writing and filed with the board within five business days of service of the order. The board shall hold a hearing within seven business days of receipt of the licensee's request for the hearing to show cause.
(d) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, an order summarily suspending a license issued under this chapter shall remain in effect until the effective date of a final decision and order issued by the board in a disciplinary action or the effective date of an order issued by the board terminating the summary suspension following a hearing to show cause, whichever occurs first, but in either case shall not exceed thirty business days.
(e) The board shall conduct a hearing for disciplinary action against a licensee whose license has been summarily suspended under this section within twenty business days from the effective date of the order of summary suspension.
(f) Any attempt by the licensee to continue the practice of medicine or the practice of medicine by the licensee while the license has been summarily suspended shall be grounds for revocation of the license and shall subject the licensee to any penalties prescribed under this chapter, the applicable licensing laws, or any rule or order of the board.
[L 2013, c 219, §1]
[Repealed]
[L 1987, c 67, §2]
(a) Upon receipt of evidence of revocation, suspension, or other disciplinary action against a licensee by another state or federal agency, the board may issue an order imposing disciplinary action upon the licensee on the following conditions:
(1) The board shall serve the licensee with a proposed order imposing disciplinary action as required by chapter 91;
(2) The licensee shall have the right to request a hearing pursuant to chapter 91 to show cause why the action described in the proposed order should not be imposed;
(3) Any request for a hearing shall be made in writing and filed with the board within twenty days after mailing of the proposed order to the licensee; and
(4) If the licensee does not submit a written request for a hearing within twenty days after mailing of the proposed order, the board may issue a final order imposing the disciplinary action described in the proposed order;
provided that the board shall not issue an order imposing disciplinary action upon the licensee if the revocation, suspension, or other disciplinary action against a licensee by another state was based on the provision or assistance in receipt or provision of medical, surgical, pharmaceutical, counseling, or referral services relating to the human reproductive system, including but not limited to services relating to pregnancy, contraception, or the termination of a pregnancy, so long as the provision or assistance in receipt or provision of the services was in accordance with the laws of this State or would have been in accordance with the laws of this State if it occurred within this State.
(b) A certified copy of the disciplinary action by another state or federal agency shall constitute prima facie evidence of the disciplinary action.
(c) A licensee against whom the board has issued a proposed order under this section shall be prohibited from practicing in this State until the board issues a final order if:
(1) The licensee was the subject of disciplinary action by another state, except where the disciplinary action against the licensee by another state was based on the provision or assistance in receipt or provision of medical, surgical, pharmaceutical, counseling, or referral services relating to the human reproductive system, including but not limited to services relating to pregnancy, contraception, or the termination of a pregnancy, so long as the provision or assistance in receipt or provision of the services was in accordance with the laws of this State or would have been in accordance with the laws of this State if it occurred within this State; and
(2) The disciplinary action by another state prohibits the licensee from practicing in that state.
(d) In addition to the provisions of this section, the board may take any other action authorized by this chapter or chapter 436B.
(e) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, any final order of discipline taken pursuant to this section shall be a matter of public record.
[L 2016, c 38, §3; am L 2023, c 2, §8]
(a) Every physician or osteopathic physician licensed pursuant to this chapter who does not possess professional liability insurance shall report any settlement or arbitration award of a claim or action for damages for death or personal injury caused by negligence, error, or omission in practice, or the unauthorized rendering of professional services. The report shall be submitted to the department of commerce and consumer affairs within thirty days after any written settlement agreement has been reduced to writing and signed by all the parties thereto or thirty days after service of the arbitration award on the parties.
(b) Failure of a physician or osteopathic physician to comply with the provisions of this section is an offense punishable by a fine of not less than $100 for the first offense, $250 to $500 for the second offense, and $500 to $1,000 for subsequent offenses.
(c) The clerks of the respective courts of this State shall report to the department any judgment or other determination of the court, which adjudges or finds that a physician or osteopathic physician is liable criminally or civilly for any death or personal injury caused by the physician's or osteopathic physician's professional negligence, error, or omission in the practice of the physician's or osteopathic physician's profession, or rendering of unauthorized professional services. The report shall be submitted to the department within ten days after the judgment is entered by the court.
(d) The department shall prescribe forms for the submission of reports required by this section.
[L 1982, c 227, pt of §1; am L 1983, c 92, §1(8); am L 1984, c 168, §12; am L 2008, c 5, §14]
[Repeal of section on June 30, 2017, by L Sp 2009, c 18, § 9; L 2012, c 186, § 3(2) as noted in the main volume deleted by L 2017, c 40, § 2.] When a license is renewed, each physician or surgeon and each osteopathic physician or surgeon shall be assessed a fee of $60 that shall be transferred and deposited into the John A. Burns school of medicine special fund established under section 304A-2171 to support ongoing assessment and planning of the physician workforce in Hawaii, including:
(1) Ongoing assessment and planning, as well as the recruitment and retention of physicians, especially for the physician workforce serving rural and medically underserved areas of the State;
(2) Providing loan repayment to physicians who commit to working in medically underserved areas of the State as part of the Hawaii state loan repayment program administered by the John A. Burns school of medicine; and
(3) Providing scholarships to qualifying medical students to be determined by the John A. Burns school of medicine.
Payment of the physician workforce assessment fee shall be required for license renewal.
[L Sp 2009, c 18, §3; am L 2012, c 186, §2; am L 2021, c 151, §3]
[Repealed]
[L 1992, c 202, §213]
In any proceeding the board may subpoena, administer oaths to, and examine witnesses on any relevant matter in the proceeding. The board may subpoena physicians, osteopathic physicians, or surgeons as specialists, on the recommendation of the appropriate specialist society. The board may order a mental, physical, or medical competency examination to determine the capacity or ability of a licensee to continue to practice medicine or surgery and order appropriate specialist societies to conduct examinations. The person whose license is sought in the proceeding to be revoked, limited, or suspended shall be entitled to require the board or any member thereof to subpoena and to administer oaths to any witness who may be able to present evidence relevant in the proceeding, and shall be entitled to examine any witness in the proceeding. The circuit court of the circuit in which the proceeding is held may enforce by proper proceeding the attendance and testimony of witnesses in the proceeding.
[L 1917, c 61, §1; RL 1925, §1031; RL 1935, §1210; RL 1945, §2509; am L 1947, c 201, pt of §1; RL 1955, §64-9; am L Sp 1959 2d, c 1, §19; HRS §453-10; am L 1969, c 257, §8; am L 1976, c 219, §12; am L 2008, c 5, §15]
If any person called before the board as a witness in any proceeding, whether under subpoena or otherwise, except as privileged by law, refuses to answer any question which is relevant to the proceeding and is put to the individual by the board, a member thereof or the person whose license is sought to be revoked, limited, or suspended in the proceeding, or disobeys any order of the circuit court relating to the proceeding, the board shall report the matter in writing to any judge of the circuit court of the circuit in which such proceeding is held and the person shall be cited to appear before the circuit judge to show cause why the individual should not be punished for contempt of court under section 710-1077.
[L 1917, c 61, §2; RL 1925, §1032; RL 1935, §1211; RL 1945, §2510; am L 1947, c 201, pt of §1; RL 1955, §64-10; am L Sp 1959 2d, c 1, §19; HRS §453-11; am L 1969, c 257, §9; am L 1976, c 219, §13; am L 1982, c 147, §24; am L 1983, c 92, §1(9)]
Any person who wilfully and knowingly makes under oath any false statement in connection with any such proceeding before the board shall be guilty of perjury and shall be subject to the penalty prescribed by law for perjury. Whenever the board is satisfied that the witness has committed perjury in any proceeding before the board, it shall report the same to the prosecuting officer of the county in which the perjury took place, who shall prosecute the witness for perjury.
[L 1917, c 61, §3; RL 1925, §1033; am imp L 1932 1st, c 13, pt of §1; RL 1935, §1212; RL 1945, §2511; am L 1947, c 201, pt of §1; RL 1955, §64-11; am L Sp 1959 2d, c 1, §19; HRS §453-12; am L 1969, c 257, §10]
Any person who violates this chapter, or who offers or in any way attempts to engage in the practice of medicine as defined in section 453-1 and fails to comply with any of the requirements or provisions of this chapter, penalty for which violation or failure to comply is not otherwise provided for, shall be fined not more than $500 or imprisoned not more than six months and each day's violation or failure to comply shall be deemed a separate offense.
All tools, implements, medicine, and drugs used in the practice of medicine by any person convicted of practicing medicine without a license shall be declared forfeited to the State by the court and ordered destroyed.
[L 1896, c 60, §6; RL 1925, §1028; am L 1929, c 109, §1; RL 1935, §1207; RL 1945, §2512; RL 1955, §64-12; HRS §453-13]
(a) Every physician, osteopathic physician, physician assistant, and surgeon attending or treating a case of knife wound, bullet wound, gunshot wound, powder burn, or any injury that would seriously maim, produce death, or has rendered the injured person unconscious, caused by the use of violence or sustained in a suspicious or unusual manner or in motor vehicle collisions resulting in serious injury or death, or, whenever the case is treated in a hospital, clinic, or other institution, the manager, superintendent, or person in charge thereof, shall report the case or provide requested information to the chief of police of the county within which the person was attended or treated, giving the name of the injured person, description of the nature, type, and extent of the injury, together with other pertinent information that may be of use to the chief of police. As used herein, the term "chief of police" means the chief of police of each county and any of the chief's authorized subordinates.
(b) This section shall not apply to wounds, burns, or injuries received by a member of the armed forces of the United States or of the State while engaged in the actual performance of duty.
(c) Any person who fails to make the report called for herein within twenty-four hours after the attendance or treatment shall be fined not less than $50 nor more than $500.
[L 1933-34, c 27, §§1, 2; RL 1935, §1202; am L 1943, c 23, §1; RL 1945, §2513; am L 1955, c 110, §1; RL 1955, §64-13; HRS §453-14; am L 1983, c 92, §1(10); am L 2005, c 39, §1; am L 2008, c 5, §16; am L 2009, c 151, §19]
A pathologist or any licensed physician, osteopathic physician, or surgeon may conduct a postmortem examination when written consent thereto is given by whoever of the following assumes custody of the body for purposes of burial: father, mother, husband, wife, reciprocal beneficiary, child, guardian, next of kin, or, in the absence of any of the foregoing, a friend or person, including a governmental agency, charged by law with the responsibility for the burial. If two or more persons assume custody of the body, the consent of one of them is sufficient. The consent shall include the consent to the retention by the pathologist or licensed physician, osteopathic physician, or surgeon who conducts the postmortem examination of tissues, including fetal material, of the body removed at the time of the postmortem examination to be used for necessary or advisable scientific investigation, including research, teaching, and therapeutic purposes.
[L 1957, c 309, §1; Supp, §64-14; am L 1967, c 188, §1; HRS §453-15; am L 1997, c 383, §62; am L 2008, c 5, §17]
(a) A licensed physician or surgeon or licensed osteopathic physician and surgeon may provide abortion care. A licensed physician assistant may provide medication or aspiration abortion care in the first trimester of pregnancy.
(b) The State shall not deny or interfere with a pregnant person's right to choose to:
(1) Obtain an abortion; or
(2) Terminate a pregnancy if the termination is necessary to protect the life or health of the pregnant person.
(c) Nothing in this section shall require any hospital or any person to participate in an abortion nor shall any hospital or any person be liable for a refusal.
(d) For purposes of this section:
"Abortion" means an intentional termination of the pregnancy of a nonviable fetus.
"Nonviable fetus" means a fetus that does not have a reasonable likelihood of sustained survival outside of the uterus.
[L 1970, c 1, §2; am L 2006, c 35, §2; am L 2008, c 5, §18; am L 2023, c 2, §2]
In connection with an investigation under section 453-7.5, the director of commerce and consumer affairs may issue subpoenas, pursuant to section 26-9(j), compelling the production of hospital records of patients whose cases were reviewed by a peer review committee that filed a report pursuant to section 663-1.7, as well as the full report reflecting the committee's decision and the basis of that decision, notwithstanding section 624-25.5. A medical society, hospital, or health care facility shall expunge from the documents only the following patient identifiers: name, address, telephone number, hospital identification number, and social security number. Information for investigation which was obtained through a subpoena shall be for the sole use by the department of commerce and consumer affairs to carry out its responsibilities and functions and shall be held confidential by the department, unless the information is admissible evidence at a hearing held under section 453-9. This investigation shall be deemed a sensitive matter related to public safety under section 92-5.
[L 1982, c 227, pt of §1 and c 204, §8; am L 1983, c 124, §17; am L 1984, c 168, §13; am L 1987, c 67, §3]
A physician, osteopathic physician, surgeon, or student participating in a course of instruction, residency program, or clinical training program shall not perform a pelvic examination on an anesthetized or unconscious female patient unless:
(1) The patient gives prior verbal or written informed consent to the pelvic examination;
(2) The performance of a pelvic examination is within the scope of care for the surgical procedure or diagnostic examination scheduled to be performed on the patient; or
(3) The patient is unconscious and the pelvic examination is required for diagnostic purposes.
[L 2012, c 136, §2]
(a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the board shall automatically revoke a license or deny an application to renew, restore, or reinstate a license under either of the following circumstances:
(1) The licensee has been convicted in any court in or outside of this State of any offense that, if committed or attempted in this State, based on the elements of the convicted offense, would have been punishable as one or more of the offenses described in chapter 846E; or
(2) The licensee has been required to register as a sex offender pursuant to chapter 846E, regardless of whether the related conviction has been appealed.
(b) The board shall notify the licensee of the license revocation or denial of application to renew, restore, or reinstate the license and of the right to elect to have a hearing as provided in subsection (c).
(c) Upon revocation of the license or denial of an application to renew, restore, or reinstate, the licensee may file a written request for a hearing with the board within ten days of the notice. The hearing shall be held within thirty days of the revocation or denial. The proceeding shall be conducted in accordance with chapter 91.
(d) For the purposes of enforcement of this section, a plea or verdict of guilty, or a conviction after a plea of nolo contendere, shall be deemed a conviction. The record of conviction shall be conclusive evidence of the fact that the conviction occurred.
(e) If the related conviction of the license holder is overturned upon appeal, the revocation or denial ordered pursuant to this section shall automatically cease. Nothing in this subsection shall prohibit the board from pursuing disciplinary action based on any cause other than the overturned conviction.
(f) Any final order of discipline taken pursuant to this section shall be a matter of public record.
(g) The board shall not restore, renew, or otherwise reinstate the license of a person under any of the following circumstances:
(1) The person has been required to register as a sex offender pursuant to chapter 846E, regardless of whether the conviction has been appealed; and
(2) The person engaged in the offense with a patient or client, or with a former patient or client if the relationship was terminated primarily for the purpose of committing the offense.
[L 2025, c 273, §12]
The practice of any emergency medical services by any individual employed by an emergency ambulance service who is not licensed under part I of this chapter or under chapter 457 shall be subject to licensure under this part. In the event of any conflict between this part and any rules adopted under section 453-2, this part shall control with regard to emergency ambulance service personnel.
The Hawaii medical board shall define the scope of the practice of emergency medical services, different levels of the practice, and degree of supervision required of a supervising physician or osteopathic physician when a person licensed under this part provides services within the practice of medicine.
[L 1978, c 148, pt of §2(1); am L 1984, c 168, §14; am L 2008, c 5, §19 and c 9, §3; am L 2021, c 119, §5]
(a) The Hawaii medical board shall issue licenses to individuals qualified in emergency medical services, upon application therefor; provided that the applicant for licensure:
(1) Holds a current certificate from the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians for the requisite level of practice, has satisfactorily passed a course of training in emergency medical services for emergency ambulance services personnel that shall be based on and may exceed the national curriculum of the United States Department of Transportation and approved by the board if required for the applicable level of practice, and meets other standards and qualifications, including passage of an examination, set by the Hawaii medical board pertinent to the practice of emergency medical services in Hawaii;
(2) Meets continuing education requirements that shall be set by the Hawaii medical board; and
(3) Meets other qualifications set by the Hawaii medical board.
(b) The board shall directly review the credentials of applicants and administer examinations required. Licensure under this section shall be a prerequisite to the practice of emergency medical services as an employee of an emergency ambulance service.
(c) The Hawaii medical board shall provide standard application forms for the licensure under this part, and shall provide for the periodic renewal of such license. The Hawaii medical board shall assess a fee for such application, licensure, and renewal. The Hawaii medical board shall provide for the revocation, suspension, or limitation of licensure in the event an individual once licensed under this section fails to maintain or meet requirements for continued licensure, or for good cause shown.
(d) For purposes of this section, "emergency ambulance personnel" means emergency medical technicians, advanced emergency medical technicians, mobile intensive care technicians, or paramedics.
[L 1978, c 148, pt of §2(1); am L 1984, c 168, §15; am L 1989, c 181, §5; am L 2008, c 9, §3; am L 2021, c 119, §6]
(a) Every person holding a license under this part shall renew the license with the board no later than January 31 of each even-numbered year, pay a renewal fee, and comply with the continuing education requirements set forth in the board's rules.
(b) To determine compliance, the board may conduct a random audit. A person selected for audit shall be notified by the board. Within sixty days of notification, the person shall provide to the board documentation to verify compliance with the continuing education requirements.
(c) Failure to renew, pay the renewal fee, and, in the case of audited persons, provide documentation of compliance shall constitute a forfeiture of the license which may only be restored upon the submission of written application, payment to the board of a restoration fee, and in the case of audited persons, documentation of compliance.
(d) A license that has been forfeited for one renewal term shall be automatically terminated and cannot be restored, and a new application for licensure shall be required.
[L 1989, c 181, §1; am L 2001, c 66, §2; am L 2021, c 119, §7]
(a) The board shall approve provisional licensure of an applicant under section 453-32 if the applicant has graduated from a board approved training program within twelve months of the date of application and has never taken the written and practical examination of the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians for that level of practice but otherwise meets the requirements of section 453-32, has filed a complete application with the board, and has paid all required fees.
(b) If the applicant fails to apply for, or to take, the next succeeding examination or fails to pass the examination or fails to receive a license, all privileges under this section shall automatically cease upon written notification sent to the applicant by the board. A provisional license for each level of practice may be issued only once to each person.
(c) Prior to practicing under any provisional license, applicants shall notify the board in writing of any and all employers under whom they will be performing services.
[L 1984, c 168, pt of §2; am L 1986, c 144, §5; am L 1988, c 110, §7; am L 2021, c 119, §8]
(a) The Hawaii medical board shall approve limited provisional licensure of an applicant under this section if the applicant:
(1) Has graduated from a board or state-approved training program as developed and promulgated by the United States Department of Transportation, if required for the applicable level of practice;
(2) Has passed the written and practical examinations of the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians for that level of practice;
(3) Holds a current certificate from the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians for that level of practice;
(4) Has submitted a letter verifying acceptance into a period of peer review as an emergency medical technician, advanced emergency medical technician, mobile intensive care technician, or paramedic;
(5) Has filed a completed application with the board; and
(6) Has paid all the required fees.
(b) Limited licensure of any applicant shall be restricted to a maximum of one year.
(c) All privileges under this section shall automatically cease if the applicant receives licensure under section 453-32 or 453-32.1 or is no longer participating in a period of peer review.
[L 1996, c 147, §1; am L 2008, c 9, §3; am L 2021, c 119, §9]
The Hawaii medical board shall establish a committee consisting of practicing emergency physicians or osteopathic physicians and emergency ambulance personnel to assist the board in the performance of duties under this part.
The board, by written order, may delegate to the committee any of its powers and duties for administration of this part, except that the board shall not delegate any authority to adopt, amend, or repeal rules, take disciplinary action against a license holder, or restore a license which has been revoked.
[L 1984, c 168, pt of §2; am L 2008, c 5, §20 and c 9, §3; am L 2021, c 119, §10]
The Hawaii medical board shall adopt rules to implement this part, subject to chapter 91.
[L 1978, c 148, pt of §2(1); am L 2008, c 9, §3]
(a) The Hawaii medical board shall issue licenses upon application therefor, consistent with the following levels of practice:
(1) Emergency medical technician 1;
(2) Emergency medical technician;
(3) Advanced emergency medical technician; or
(4) Mobile intensive care technician or paramedic.
(b) Beginning July 1, 2022, the Hawaii medical board shall accept applications for licensure as an emergency medical technician 1; provided that the applicant shall:
(1) Demonstrate successful completion of a Hawaii medical board-approved emergency medical technician course that meets or exceeds the National Emergency Medical Services Education Standards for Emergency Medical Technicians;
(2) Provide a current cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification;
(3) Demonstrate proficiency in basic life support for health care providers;
(4) Demonstrate successful completion of the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians emergency medical technician cognitive examination and National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians psychomotor examination;
(5) Pay any fees assessed in amounts equivalent to fees paid by emergency medical technicians pursuant to section 16-53-21.5, Hawaii Administrative Rules; and
(6) Meet any other requirements determined by the Hawaii medical board.
(c) Any emergency medical technician 1 licensed under this part shall document care in a pre-hospital emergency medical records system compatible with the emergency medical services system's pre-hospital medical records system. Emergency medical technicians 1 shall:
(1) Practice under a physician or osteopathic physician licensed pursuant to this chapter; and
(2) Restrict their scope of practice to the performance of basic emergency medical care of patients.
[L 2021, c 119, §§2, 13; am L 2022, c 65, §2; am L 2023, c 193, §1]
As used in this part:
"Expedited partner therapy" means the indirect treatment of partners of a patient who has been diagnosed as having a sexually transmitted disease through the dispensing or prescribing of antibiotic therapy for the treatment of the partners to the patient without the physical examination of the partners by a health professional.
"Health professional" means any of the following:
(1) A person licensed or otherwise authorized by law to practice medicine or surgery under this chapter and whose scope of practice includes the diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases;
(2) An advanced practice registered nurse with prescriptive authority under chapter 457 and duly licensed in the State;
(3) A licensed midwife practicing as a certified midwife with prescriptive authority under chapter 457J and duly licensed in the State; or
(4) For the purpose of dispensing antibiotic therapy under this section, a pharmacist who is licensed or otherwise authorized to engage in the practice of pharmacy under chapter 461.
"Sexual activity" means sexual intercourse, cunnilingus, fellatio, anal intercourse, or any other intrusion, however slight, of any part of a person's body or of any object into the genital or anal openings of another person's body, but emission of semen is not required.
"Sexually transmitted disease" means chlamydia, gonorrhea, or other sexually transmitted diseases that are or may be recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for expedited partner therapy.
[L 2013, c 250, pt of §2; am L 2025, c 28, §5]
[ §453-52] Expedited partner therapy. (a) A health professional may, in addition to treating a patient, provide expedited partner therapy to the partners of the patient if all of the following requirements are met:
(1) The patient has a laboratory-confirmed or suspected clinical diagnosis of a sexually transmitted disease;
(2) The patient indicates that the patient has partners with whom the patient has engaged in sexual activity within the sixty-day period immediately preceding the diagnosis of a sexually transmitted disease; and
(3) The patient indicates that the patient's partners are unable or unlikely to seek clinical services in a timely manner.
(b) A health professional who provides expedited partner therapy as authorized in this section shall do all of the following:
(1) Dispense or prescribe antibiotic therapy in the name of the partners, if known, without the physical examination of the partners by the health professional. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, if the name of the partners are not known, the health professional shall dispense or prescribe the antibiotic therapy in the name of "Expedited Partner Therapy";
(2) Convey to the patient that it is important to notify the patient's partners of the patient's diagnosis and that it is important for the partners to obtain medical care for a complete evaluation, testing for sexually transmitted diseases, counseling, and treatment;
(3) Distribute to the patient the information sheet developed pursuant to section 453-53; and
(4) Follow all Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines related to the practices and recommendations for expedited partner therapy.
[L 2013, c 250, pt of §2]
The department of health shall develop and, upon request, distribute to health professionals subject to this part an information sheet that includes all of the following:
(1) A description of expedited partner therapy and its purpose;
(2) A notice that an individual who has been treated for a sexually transmitted disease should be retested after treatment to detect possible persistent or recurrent infection, including information on the timing of retesting, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;
(3) A warning about the possible dangers of administering antibiotic therapy to a pregnant individual;
(4) Information about antibiotics dispensed or prescribed and dosages of those antibiotics dispensed or prescribed, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;
(5) A warning about the risk of allergies to and drug interactions with the antibiotics described in paragraph (4);
(6) Information about sexually transmitted diseases, the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, and the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases;
(7) A notice that the patient and the patient's partners should abstain from sexual activity for seven days after the patient and the partners have completed the antibiotic therapy;
(8) A notice that the partners should be tested for sexually transmitted diseases;
(9) A notice of the risk to the patient, the partners, and others, including the public health, if a sexually transmitted disease is not completely treated;
(10) A notice of the responsibility of the patient to notify sexual partners of the risk of sexually transmitted diseases and the importance of examination and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases; and
(11) A statement advising any individual who has any questions regarding anything in the information sheet to contact a health professional or the department of health.
[L 2013, c 250, pt of §2]
A health professional who provides expedited partner therapy as authorized under section 453-52, a person licensed or otherwise authorized by law to practice medicine or surgery under this chapter, an advanced practice registered nurse with prescriptive authority under chapter 457, or a pharmacist who is licensed or otherwise authorized to engage in the practice of pharmacy under chapter 461, who reasonably and in good faith renders the expedited partner therapy in accordance with this section and the rules and regulations adopted by the director of commerce and consumer affairs, shall not be subject to civil or criminal liability or be deemed to have engaged in unprofessional conduct for rendering that therapy.
[L 2013, c 250, pt of §2]
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