45:5-6 - Preliminary investigation of applicant;  examination fee

45:5-6.  Preliminary investigation of applicant;  examination fee
    Any member of the board may inquire of any applicant for examination concerning his qualifications, and may take testimony of anyone in regard thereto, under oath, which he is hereby empowered to administer.  Upon the approval of the application for examination, each applicant shall pay to the secretary of the board a fee of $50.00 at the time of filing said application which shall be accompanied by a photograph of such applicant and shall present himself for examination at the first regular meeting of the board after such application.  The fee shall not be refunded, unless from sickness or other good  cause appearing to the satisfaction of the board the applicant was prevented  from attending such examination.  Further or subsequent examinations under such  application may be given to applicants, in the discretion of the board, upon  payment of an additional fee of $25.00 for every re-examination.

     Amended by L.1954, c. 261, p. 943, s. 1.
45:5-7  Examinations; licensing; license; definitions; display of license.
 

45:5-7. All examinations shall be written in the English language, but the board, in its discretion, may use supplementary oral or practical examinations, either of the whole class or of individuals.  The examinations shall be in all subjects taught and practiced in the legally incorporated schools or colleges of podiatric medicine, in good standing in the opinion of the board, which confer the degree of doctor of podiatric medicine or other doctorate degree in podiatric medicine.  Said application and examination papers shall be deposited in the files of the said board for at least five years, and they shall be prima facie evidence of all matters therein contained.  All licenses shall be signed by the president and secretary of the board and shall be attested by the seal thereof.

If the examination is satisfactory, the board shall issue a license entitling the applicant to practice podiatric medicine in this State.

"Podiatric medicine" or "practice of podiatric medicine" is defined to be the diagnosis or treatment of or the holding out of a right or ability to diagnose or treat any ailment of the human foot or ankle, including local manifestations of systemic diseases as they appear on the lower leg, foot or ankle but not treatment of systemic diseases of any other part of the body, or the holding out of a right or ability to treat the same by any one or more of the following means: local medical, mechanical, surgical, manipulative and physio-therapeutic, including the application of any of the aforementioned means to the lower leg and ankle for the treatment of a foot or ankle ailment.  Such means shall not be construed to include the amputation of the leg or foot.  The term "local medical" hereinbefore mentioned shall be construed to mean the prescription or use of a therapeutic agent or remedy where the action or reaction is intended for a localized area or part.  A podiatrist is a physician within the scope of this chapter, and may be referred to as a podiatric physician.

Every person practicing podiatric medicine under this act shall at all times conspicuously display in his place of practice his license and yearly registration to practice.  It shall be unlawful to practice podiatric medicine in this State without so displaying such license and registration.  Any applicant for a license to practice podiatric medicine upon proving that he has been examined and licensed by the examining and licensing board of another state, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia, may in the discretion of the board be granted a license to practice podiatric medicine without further examination upon payment to the board of a license fee of $100.00; provided, such applicant shall furnish proof that he can fulfill the requirements demanded in the other sections of this chapter relating to applicants for admission by examinations; provided further, that the laws of such state, territory or the District of Columbia accord equal reciprocal rights to a licensed podiatrist of this State, who desires to practice his profession in such state, territory or the District of Columbia; provided further, that said applicant has been in lawful and ethical practice of podiatric medicine in the state, territory or District of Columbia from which he applies for five full consecutive years next prior to filing his application; and provided, further, that said applicant shall, within six months after the issuance of his license hereunder, remove to this State, establish his permanent and only legal residence and cease to operate his practice in the state from which he applies and not use such license for part-time practice in this State.  An affidavit setting forth his intention to comply with the requirements of this proviso must be filed with the application for license.  In any such application for a license without examination, all reciprocal questions of academic requirements of other states, territories or the District of Columbia shall be determined by the board.  The board shall consider each application for such license on its individual merits and may, in its discretion and without establishing a precedent, waive the requirements for residency in lieu of 10 or more years of active and continuous ethical practice outside of this State.

The board may issue to any licensed podiatrist of this State, known to it to be of good moral character and who has conducted an ethical practice in this State, and who desires to remove his residence and practice to another state, a certificate or certification authenticated with its seal, which shall attest such information as may be necessary for competent boards of other states to determine reciprocity qualifications, upon payment of a fee of $10.00.

The board may, in its discretion, accept in lieu of its own examination, either in whole or in part, the certificate of the National Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners; and provided further, that the applicant satisfies in all other respects the requirements for licensure by examination.  Such application to the board shall be accompanied by an application fee of $100.00 plus $10.00 for verification.  In the event an oral or practical examination or both is given under this provision, an additional fee of $25.00 may be required for examiner compensation.

The board, in its discretion, may grant a license without further examination to any person whose previous license has been revoked under R.S.45:5-8 and upon payment to the board of a license fee of $100.00.

Amended 1942, c.107, s.1; 1943, c.95, s.1; 1947, c.355, s.5; 1948, c.434, s.2; 1962, c.187, s.2; 1965, c.141, s.3; 1968, c.216, s.1; 1977, c.83; 1993, c.185; 2005, c.259, s.8.
 
45:5-9  Biennial certificate of registration for licensed podiatrist; reinstatement procedure.
 
45:5-9. a. Every licensed podiatrist shall procure every two years from the executive director of the board, on or before November 1, a biennial certificate of registration, which shall be issued by the executive director upon payment of a fee to be determined by the board. The  executive director shall mail to each licensed podiatrist on or before October 1 every two years a printed blank form to be properly filled in and returned to the executive director by such licensed person on or before the succeeding November 1, together with such fee. Upon the receipt of said form properly filled in, and such fee, the biennial certificate of registration shall be issued and transmitted.  Every licensed podiatrist who continues the practice of podiatric medicine after having failed to secure a biennial certificate of registration at the time and in the manner required by this section shall be subject to a penalty of $25.00 for each failure.  Immediately after November 1, the  executive director shall send by registered mail to every podiatrist who has failed to obtain a biennial registration certificate for the ensuing two-year period a notice that their license will be automatically suspended within 30 days unless the penalty and registration fee is paid immediately.  Upon failure to register after such notice, the license of such person shall be automatically suspended and shall not be reinstated except upon full payment of penalty and registration fee.  However, such suspension shall not apply to anyone who has ceased to practice in this State.  Any person whose license shall have been automatically suspended under this section shall during such period of suspension be regarded as an unlicensed person, and if he continues to engage in the practice of podiatric medicine during such period, he shall be liable to the penalties prescribed by R.S.45:5-11.

b.If an applicant for reinstatement of licensure has not engaged in practice in any jurisdiction for a period of more than five years, or the board's review of the reinstatement application establishes a basis for concluding that there may be clinical deficiencies in need of remediation, before reinstatement the board may require the applicant to submit to, and successfully pass, an examination or an assessment of skills.  If that examination or assessment identifies clinical deficiencies or educational needs, the board may require the licensee, as a condition of reinstatement of licensure, to take and successfully complete any educational training, or to submit to any supervision, monitoring or limitations, as the board determines are necessary to assure that the licensee practices with reasonable skill and safety.

Amended 1954, c.261, s.2; 1965, c.141, s.5; 1971, c.236, s.2; 2001, c.307, s.4; 2005, c.259, s.9.
 
45:5-10  Construction of chapter; certain acts not prohibited; fees for permitting out-of-State podiatrist to take charge of resident's practice.
 
45:5-10. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit a duly licensed physician from treating diseases or ailments of the feet or ankles, or a lawfully qualified podiatrist residing in another State from meeting registered podiatrists of this State in consultation, or any legally qualified podiatrist of another State from taking charge of the practice of a legally qualified podiatrist of this State temporarily on written permission of the board during the latter's absence therefrom and upon the latter's written request to the board for permission so to do.  Such permission may be granted for a period of not more than 3 months upon payment of a fee of $10.00.  The board, in its discretion and upon payment of an additional fee of $10.00, may extend such permission for a further period but not to exceed 6 months.  Nothing in this act shall prohibit the fitting, recommending or sale of corrective shoes, arch supports or other mechanical appliances by retail dealers or manufacturers, provided, however, that they shall not be made or fabricated from plaster casts or models or by any other means for specific individual persons except upon the prescription of a podiatrist or physician.

Amended 1942, c.107, s.3; 1943, c.95, s.3; 1948, c.434, s.4; 1954, c.261, s.3; 1965, c.141, s.6; 2005, c.259, s.10.
45:5-11  Unlawful acts; penalty; display of name; recovery of penalties.
 
45:5-11. (a) Whoever practices podiatric medicine in this State without first having obtained and filed the license herein provided for, or contrary to any of the provisions of this chapter, or whoever practices podiatric medicine under a false or assumed name, or falsely impersonates another practitioner of a like or different name, or buys, sells, or fraudulently obtains any diploma as a podiatrist, or any podiatric medicine license, record or registration, or aids or assists any person not regularly licensed and registered to practice podiatric medicine in this State, to practice podiatric medicine therein, or whoever violates any of the provisions of this chapter, shall be liable to a penalty of $200.00.

Every person practicing podiatric medicine and every person practicing podiatric medicine as an employee of another shall cause his name to be conspicuously displayed and kept in a conspicuous place at the entrance of the place where such practice shall be conducted, and any person who shall neglect to cause his name to be displayed as herein required shall be liable to a penalty of $100.00.

Using the title doctor or its abbreviation in the practice of podiatric medicine must be qualified by the word or words "podiatrist" or "surgeon podiatrist." Any person who violates this provision shall be liable to a penalty of $100.00.

It shall be unlawful for any person not licensed under this act to use terms, titles, words or letters which would designate or imply that he or she is qualified to treat foot or ankle ailments, or to hold himself or herself out as being able to diagnose, treat, operate, or prescribe for any ailment of the human foot or ankle, or offer or attempt to diagnose, treat, operate or prescribe for any ailment of the human foot or ankle.

(b)The Superior Court and municipal courts, within their respective territorial jurisdictions, shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine actions for penalties under this chapter. The penalties provided for by this section shall be sued for and recovered by and in the name of the State Board of Medical Examiners of New Jersey, as plaintiff. Penalties imposed because of the violation of any provision of this chapter shall be collected and enforced by summary proceedings pursuant to the "Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999," P.L.1999, c.274 (C.2A:58-10 et seq.). Process shall issue at the suit of the board, as plaintiff, and shall be either in the nature of a summons or warrant.

Amended 1942, c.107, s.4; 1943, c.95, s.4; 1948, c.434, s.5; 1953, c.43, s.12; 1965, c.141, s.7; 1991, c.91, s.450; 2005, c.259, s.11.