| Date: | 12/12/2017 |
|---|---|
| Referenced Sources: | Bureau of Health Professions Licensure |
- This page, Board Policies and Guidelines (Podiatry), is offered by
- Board of Registration in Podiatry
- Bureau of Health Professions Licensure
Policy Advisory
Policy Advisory Board Policies and Guidelines (Podiatry)
Table of Contents
Policy on Telehealth by Podiatrists
June 8, 2020
The practice of podiatry shall not require a face-to-face encounter between the podiatrist and the patient prior to health care delivery via telehealth. The standard of care applicable to the podiatrist is the same whether the patient is seen in-person or through telehealth. A podiatrist providing telehealth services shall comply with all applicable federal and state statutes and regulations, including but not limited to those governing medication management and prescribing services.
Diabetic Foot Care Policy
Find the Diabetic Foot Care Policy in the attached PDF.
Policy Regarding Proper Foot Care
Find the Police Regarding Proper Foot Care in the attached PDF.
Board Policy Clarifying the Requirements for Licensure as a Podiatrist after Suspension of Part II CPSE Examination
Find the Board Policy Clarifying the Requirements for Licensure as a Podiatrist after Suspension of Part II CPSE Examination in the attached PDF.
Massachusetts Board of Registration in Podiatry Policy Bulletin Regarding Applicants with Criminal Convictions or Pending Criminal Charges
The Board of Registration in Podiatry voted on January 14, 2020, to adopt the following policy guidelines for applicants who have a criminal conviction(s) or pending criminal charges.
To be eligible for licensure as a podiatrist, an applicant must furnish evidence satisfactory to the Board that the applicant is of “good moral character.” M.G.L. c. 112, s. 16. Conduct that results in criminal conviction or pending charges against an applicant raises questions regarding the applicant’s good moral character and thus requires careful consideration by the Board.
Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 6, s. 176N, the Board is required to provide “a list of the specific criminal convictions that are directly related to the duties and responsibilities for the licensed occupation that may disqualify an applicant from eligibility for a license.” The Board has determined that no type of conviction, on its own, automatically disqualifies an applicant from obtaining a license to practice as a podiatrist. However, relevant factors, such as the nature of the conviction, the conviction being very recent, the applicant having a history of other criminal convictions, or the conviction involving aggravating factors (such as a crime being associated with substance abuse issues, the crime being part of a pattern of violence, the matter leading to a level 3 Sex Offender designation, etc.) might justify denying a license to an otherwise eligible candidate. As a result, any conviction could lead to a license denial. This includes ALL the crimes listed on the Master Crime List issued by the Massachusetts Sentencing Commission and found at this link:
https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2016/08/my/mastercrimelist.pdf.
An applicant with a criminal conviction or open criminal charges must be reviewed by the Board prior to obtaining licensure. Factors that the Board considers in determining an applicant’s suitability for licensure may include, but not be limited to the following:
(a) the requirements of public protection, as determined by the Board;
(b) the relationship between practicing as a podiatrist and public protection;
(c) the time since the conviction;
(d) the age of the applicant at the time of the offense(s);
(e) the seriousness and specific circumstances of the offense(s);
(f) the number of offenses;
(g) whether the applicant has pending charges;
(h) any relevant evidence of rehabilitation or lack thereof;
(i) the submission of false information on an application for licensure and/or failure to provide required notification of new information;
(j) any other relevant information, including information submitted by the applicant or requested by the Board.
If the Board is inclined to make an adverse decision based on the results of a CORI check, the applicant must be notified immediately. The applicant shall be provided with a copy of this policy, the DPL CORI policy, a copy of the CORI, and the source(s) of the CORI. The applicant must then be provided with an opportunity to dispute the accuracy of the CORI. The applicant must also be provided a copy of DCJIS’ Information Concerning the Process for Correcting a Criminal Record. It shall be the burden of the applicant challenging the accuracy of CORI to provide a corrected CORI or certified court records to show that the original CORI was inaccurate.
The applicant will be notified of the Board’s decision regarding the applicant’s suitability for licensure and the basis for it in a timely manner. The applicant must also be notified of any hearing rights pursuant to the standard denial of licensure process and the DPL policy on CORI.