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HomeBusiness and Professions CodeDiv. 2Ch. 1Art. 13§ 851 Licensure Standards Adoption

§ 851 Licensure Standards Adoption

Business and Professions Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 851 Licensure Standards Adoption

Key Takeaways

  • •Some jobs in healthcare need special licenses or certificates.
  • •The people who give these licenses can use rules from private groups (like doctor or nurse groups) to decide who gets licensed.
  • •They can only do this if the law says so or if they make the rules clear and fair in a public meeting.
  • •The Medical Board of California cannot stop doctors from getting licensed just because of their specialty.

Example

A person wants to become a nurse in California.

The nursing board can say the person must pass a test from a national nursing group to get their license. They have to make this rule in a public meeting and follow the law.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 851 Licensure Standards Adoption

A healing arts licensure board or examining committee may by regulation require an applicant for licensure or certification to meet the standards of a specified private voluntary association or professional society when either of the following conditions is met: (a) There is direct statutory authority or requirement that the board or examining committee utilize the standards of the specified private voluntary association or professional society; or (b) The board or examining committee specifies in the regulation the amount of education, training, experience, examinations, or other requirements of the private voluntary association or professional society, which standards shall be consistent with the provisions of law regulating such licensees, and the board or examining committee adopts such standards in public hearing. The board or examining committee may, by regulation, require an applicant to successfully complete an examination conducted by or created by a relevant national certification association, testing firm, private voluntary association, or professional society. Nothing in this section authorizes the Medical Board of California to limit the licensure of physicians and surgeons by specialty. (Amended by Stats. 1989, Ch. 886, Sec. 15.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

regulationassociationeducationmedicalhealthphysicianhearinglicense

Related Statutes

  • § 581 Fraudulent Medical Credential Use
  • § 582 Fraudulent Medical Practice Certificates
  • § 655.2 Hearing Aid Sales Restrictions
  • § 855 International Medical Graduate Pilot
  • § 580 Degree Sale Prohibition

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Business and Professions Code. Section 851.
View Official Source