32-1801. Arizona board of osteopathic examiners in medicine and surgery

A. The Arizona board of osteopathic examiners in medicine and surgery is established consisting of seven members appointed by the governor. One member of the board shall be appointed each year for a term of five years, to begin and end on April 15.

B. Before appointment by the governor, a prospective member of the board shall submit a full set of fingerprints to the governor for the purpose of obtaining a state and federal criminal records check pursuant to section 41-1750 and Public Law 92-544. The department of public safety may exchange this fingerprint data with the federal bureau of investigation.

C. Two members of the board shall be public members who shall not be in any manner connected with, or have an interest in, any school of medicine or any person practicing any form of healing or treatment of bodily or mental ailments and who has demonstrated an interest in the health problems of the state. The other five members of the board shall have engaged in the practice of medicine as an osteopathic physician in this state for at least five years preceding their appointments, hold active licenses in good standing and, at the time of appointment, be practicing medicine with direct patient contact. In making appointments of each professional member of the board, the governor shall consider a list of qualified persons submitted by the Arizona osteopathic medical association and recommendations by any other person. Members of the board shall continue in office until their successors are appointed and qualified. Each board member, before entering on his duties, shall take an oath prescribed by law and in addition thereto shall make an oath as to his qualifications as prescribed in this section. No board member may serve more than two consecutive five year terms.

D. The governor may remove board members if they fail to attend three or more board meetings within twelve months. This does not include telephonic meetings of the board. The governor may also remove board members for malfeasance, misfeasance or incompetence in their office, unprofessional or dishonorable conduct in their office or unprofessional or dishonorable conduct. The governor shall appoint a qualified replacement to fill a vacant position for the unexpired portion of the term.