Sec. 17018.

(1) Except as otherwise provided under this section, only an individual who is licensed as a physician shall perform needle electromyography or interpret nerve conduction tests. A physician shall not delegate the interpretation of nerve conduction tests to another individual unless that individual is licensed under this article to engage in the practice of medicine or osteopathic medicine and surgery. A physician shall not delegate the performance of needle electromyography to another individual unless that individual is licensed under this article to engage in the practice of medicine or osteopathic medicine and surgery or that individual is otherwise authorized under this section.

(2) In accordance with section 16215, a physician may delegate the performance of nerve conduction tests to a licensed or unlicensed individual who is otherwise qualified by education, training, or experience if those tests are conducted under the direct supervision of a physician.

(3) A physical therapist who is licensed under this article and certified by the American board of physical therapy specialties as an electrophysiologic clinical specialist on the effective date of this section may perform electrodiagnostic studies that are to be interpreted by a physician if he or she has been performing electrodiagnostic studies in this state on a consistent basis within the 5 years immediately preceding the effective date of this section. A physical therapist who is licensed under this article but is not certified by the American board of physical therapy specialties as an electrophysiologic clinical specialist on the effective date of this section and who has been performing electrodiagnostic studies in this state on a consistent basis since before May 1, 2001 may continue to perform electrodiagnostic studies that are to be interpreted by a physician as long as he or she becomes certified by the American board of physical therapy specialties as an electrophysiologic clinical specialist by December 31, 2007. As used in this subsection, "consistent basis" means at a minimum an annual average of 10 electrodiagnostic studies each month.

(4) A podiatrist who is licensed under this article and has successfully completed additional training in the performance and interpretation of electrodiagnostic studies that is satisfactory to his or her respective board may conduct electrodiagnostic studies that are within his or her scope of practice.

(5) A chiropractor who is licensed under this article and has successfully completed additional training in the performance and interpretation of electrodiagnostic studies that is satisfactory to his or her respective board may conduct nerve conduction tests that are within his or her scope of practice.

(6) This section does not require new or additional third party reimbursement or mandated worker's compensation benefits for services rendered by an individual authorized to conduct electrodiagnostic studies under this section.

History: Add. 2005, Act 264, Eff. Mar. 30, 2006 Popular Name: Act 368