The State Legislature divided the process between the Education and Health Departments in 1976. The Health Department and the board became responsible for investigating complaints and holding hearings, but the Education Department and the Board of Regents, the department s governing body, made the final decisions in all discipline cases. In 1991, the state s disciplinary process was again changed by the Legislature. The Regents and the Education Department were removed from the disciplinary process and the responsibility was given solely to the board and the Health Department. The Board for Professional Medical Conduct was created by the same legislation that divided the disciplinary process between the Education and Health Departments.
Members represent a wide spectrum of the state s physicians, physician assistants and lay citizens.
It serves as a key medical resource in the state s disciplinary process and strives to make the process more responsive both to the needs of physicians and patients. Physician members of the board are appointed by the Commissioner of Health based on recommendations made by medical and professional societies. Lay members are appointed by the Commissioner of Health with the approval of the Governor. By law, the Board of Regents may appoint 20 percent of the membership of the board. Members of the board fulfill four major roles in the discipline process through service on investigation, hearing and restoration committees and on the Administrative Review Board.