Amended in Assembly April 23, 2015

Amended in Assembly March 23, 2015

California Legislature—2015–16 Regular Session

Assembly BillNo. 940


Introduced by Assembly Members Ridley-Thomas and Waldron

February 26, 2015


An act to amend Sectionsbegin insert 1203,end insert 1204, 1205, 1206, 1207, 1209, 1210, 1260, 1261.5, 1264, and 1300 of the Business and Professions Code, relating to healing arts.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

AB 940, as amended, Ridley-Thomas. Clinical laboratories.

Existing law provides for the licensure, registration, and regulation of clinical laboratories and various clinical laboratory personnel by the State Department of Public Health. Existing law prohibits the performance of a clinical laboratory test or examination classified as waived under the federal Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA) unless the test or examination is performed under the overall operation and administration of a laboratory director. Existing law defines “laboratory director,” for purposes of a clinical laboratory test or examination classified as waived, as any person who, among others, is licensed to direct a clinical laboratory and who substantially meets the laboratory director qualifications under the CLIA.

This bill would delete the requirement that a laboratory director substantially meet the laboratory director qualifications under CLIA. The bill would instead limit the CLIA qualification requirements to a person serving as the CLIA laboratory director, as defined, in a laboratory that performs tests classified as moderate or high complexity.

begin insert

Existing law authorizes a person licensed as a clinical laboratory bioanalyst or bioanalyst and qualified under CLIA, and other persons licensed in specified clinical specialties, to perform clinical laboratory tests or examinations classified as of high complexity under CLIA and the duties and responsibilities of a laboratory director, technical consultant, clinical consultant, technical supervisor, and general supervisor, within the area of the licensee’s specialty.

end insert
begin insert

This bill would specify that this authorization extends to a person who is not the CLIA laboratory director under specified circumstances.

end insert

Existing law defines a “clinical laboratory scientist” as any person, other than a licensed clinical laboratory bioanalyst or trainee, who is licensed, as specified, to engage in a clinical laboratory practice under the overall operation and administration of a laboratory director.

The bill would add “reproductive biology” to the list of specialties that a clinical laboratory scientist may perform. The bill would make conforming changes.

Existing law requires an applicant for a clinical laboratory bioanalyst’s license to meet specified requirements for education and experience, including that the applicant have a minimum of 4 years’ experience as a licensed clinical laboratory scientist performing clinical laboratory work embracing the various fields of clinical laboratory activity in a clinical laboratory approved by the State Department of Public Health.

This bill would revise the application requirements to provide that an applicant’s minimum of 4 years’ experience be in a clinical laboratory certified under the CLIA.

Existing law authorizes the State Department of Public Health to issue specified licenses, including limited clinical laboratory scientist licenses and clinical licenses in specified fields, and establishes application and annual renewal fees for the clinical licenses. Existing law deposits those fees in the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Fund for use, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for regulatory purposes relating to clinical laboratories, blood banks, or clinical laboratory personnel, as provided.

This bill would authorize the department to issue limited clinical laboratory scientist licenses and clinical licenses in reproductive biology and biochemical genetics, as provided, and would apply existing application and license renewal fees to persons applying for additional clinical licenses.

Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: no.

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

P3    1begin insert

begin insertSECTION 1.end insert  

end insert

begin insertSection 1203 of the end insertbegin insertBusiness and Professions
2Code
end insert
begin insert is amended to read:end insert

3

1203.  

As used in this chapter, “clinical laboratory bioanalyst”
4or “bioanalyst” means a person licensed under Section 1260 to
5engage in clinical laboratory practice and direction of a clinical
6laboratory.begin delete Aend delete

7begin insert(a)end insertbegin insertend insertbegin insertAend insert person licensed as a clinical laboratory bioanalyst or
8bioanalyst and qualified underbegin delete CLIAend deletebegin insert CLIA, who is not the CLIA
9laboratory director,end insert
may perform clinical laboratory tests or
10examinations classified as of high complexity under CLIA and the
11duties and responsibilities of a laboratorybegin delete director,end deletebegin insert director in the
12specialties of histocompatibility, microbiology, diagnostic
13immunology, chemistry, hematology, immunohematology, genetics,
14or other specialty or subspecialty specified in regulations adopted
15by the department.end insert

16begin insert(b)end insertbegin insertend insertbegin insertA person licensed as a clinical laboratory bioanalyst or
17bioanalyst and qualified under CLIA may perform the duties and
18responsibilities of a CLIA laboratory director,end insert
technical consultant,
19clinical consultant, technical supervisor, and general supervisor,
20as specified under CLIA, in the specialties of histocompatibility,
21microbiology, diagnostic immunology, chemistry, hematology,
22immunohematology, genetics, or other specialty or subspecialty
23specified in regulations adopted by the department.begin delete Aend delete

24begin insert(c)end insertbegin insertend insertbegin insertAend insert person licensed as a clinical laboratory bioanalyst or
25bioanalyst may perform any clinical laboratory test or examination
26classified as waived or of moderate complexity under CLIA.

27

begin deleteSECTION 1.end delete
28begin insertSEC. 2.end insert  

Section 1204 of the Business and Professions Code is
29amended to read:

30

1204.  

As used in this chapter, “clinical laboratory scientist”
31means any person, other than a licensed clinical laboratory
32bioanalyst or trainee, who is licensed under Sections 1261 and
331262 to engage in clinical laboratory practice under the overall
34operation and administration of a laboratory director, unless serving
35as a director of a waived laboratory as provided in Section 1209.
36A person licensed as a clinical laboratory scientist and qualified
37under CLIA may perform clinical laboratory tests or examinations
38classified as of high complexity under CLIA and the duties and
P4    1responsibilities of a waived laboratory director, as specified under
2CLIA, technical consultant, clinical consultant, technical
3supervisor, and general supervisor, as specified under CLIA, in
4the specialties of histocompatibility, microbiology, diagnostic
5immunology, chemistry, hematology, immunohematology,
6genetics, reproductive biology, or other specialty or subspecialty
7specified by regulation adopted by the department. A person
8licensed as a “clinical laboratory scientist” may perform any
9clinical laboratory test or examination classified as waived or of
10moderate complexity under CLIA.

11

begin deleteSEC. 2.end delete
12begin insertSEC. 3.end insert  

Section 1205 of the Business and Professions Code is
13amended to read:

14

1205.  

As used in this chapter, “trainee” means any person
15licensed under this chapter for the purpose of receiving
16comprehensive practical experience and instruction in clinical
17laboratory procedures in one of the sciences or in general clinical
18laboratory science under the direct and responsible supervision of
19a person authorized to direct a laboratory under the provisions of
20this chapter, clinical laboratory scientist, clinical chemist scientist,
21clinical microbiologist scientist, clinical toxicologist scientist,
22clinical immunohematologist scientist, clinical genetic molecular
23biologist scientist, clinical cytogeneticist scientist, clinical
24biochemical geneticist scientist, clinical reproductive biologist
25scientist, clinical histocompatibility scientist, or other equivalent
26licensee in the science or specialty or subspecialty for which he
27or she is licensed in a clinical laboratory certified for this purpose
28by the department under this chapter.

29

begin deleteSEC. 3.end delete
30begin insertSEC. 4.end insert  

Section 1206 of the Business and Professions Code is
31amended to read:

32

1206.  

(a) For the purposes of this chapter the following
33definitions are applicable:

34(1) “Analyte” means the substance or constituent being measured
35including, but not limited to, glucose, sodium, or theophyline, or
36any substance or property whose presence or absence,
37concentration, activity, intensity, or other characteristics are to be
38determined.

39(2) “Biological specimen” means any material that is derived
40from the human body.

P5    1(3) “Blood electrolyte analysis” means the measurement of
2electrolytes in a blood specimen by means of ion selective
3electrodes on instruments specifically designed and manufactured
4for blood gas and acid-base analysis.

5(4) “Blood gas analysis” means a clinical laboratory test or
6examination that deals with the uptake, transport, and metabolism
7of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the human body.

8(5) “Clinical laboratory test or examination” means the
9detection, identification, measurement, evaluation, correlation,
10monitoring, and reporting of any particular analyte, entity, or
11substance within a biological specimen for the purpose of obtaining
12scientific data which may be used as an aid to ascertain the
13presence, progress, and source of a disease or physiological
14condition in a human being, or used as an aid in the prevention,
15prognosis, monitoring, or treatment of a physiological or
16pathological condition in a human being, or for the performance
17of nondiagnostic tests for assessing the health of an individual.

18(6) “Clinical laboratory science” means any of the sciences or
19scientific disciplines used to perform a clinical laboratory test or
20examination.

21(7) “Clinical laboratory practice” means the application of
22clinical laboratory sciences or the use of any means that applies
23the clinical laboratory sciences within or outside of a licensed or
24registered clinical laboratory. Clinical laboratory practice includes
25consultation, advisory, and other activities inherent to the
26profession.

27(8) “Clinical laboratory” means any place used, or any
28establishment or institution organized or operated, for the
29performance of clinical laboratory tests or examinations or the
30practical application of the clinical laboratory sciences. That
31application may include any means that applies the clinical
32laboratory sciences.

33(9) “Direct and constant supervision” means personal
34observation and critical evaluation of the activity of unlicensed
35laboratory personnel by a physician and surgeon, or by a person
36licensed under this chapter other than a trainee, during the entire
37time that the unlicensed laboratory personnel are engaged in the
38duties specified in Section 1269.

39(10) “Direct and responsible supervision” means both of the
40following:

P6    1(A) Personal observation and critical evaluation of the activity
2of a trainee by a physician and surgeon, or by a person licensed
3under this chapter other than a trainee, during the entire time that
4the trainee is performing clinical laboratory tests or examinations.

5(B) Personal review by the physician and surgeon or the licensed
6person of all results of clinical laboratory testing or examination
7performed by the trainee for accuracy, reliability, and validity
8before the results are reported from the laboratory.

9(11) “Licensed laboratory” means a clinical laboratory licensed
10pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 1265.

11(12) “Location” means either a street and city address, or a site
12or place within a street and city address, where any of the clinical
13laboratory sciences or scientific disciplines are practiced or applied,
14or where any clinical laboratory tests or examinations are
15performed.

16(13) “Physician office laboratory” means a clinical laboratory
17that is licensed or registered under Section 1265, and that is either:
18(A) a clinical laboratory that is owned and operated by a partnership
19or professional corporation that performs clinical laboratory tests
20or examinations only for patients of five or fewer physicians and
21surgeons or podiatrists who are shareholders, partners, or
22employees of the partnership or professional corporation that owns
23and operates the clinical laboratory; or (B) a clinical laboratory
24that is owned and operated by an individual licensed physician
25and surgeon or a podiatrist, and that performs clinical laboratory
26tests or examinations only for patients of the physician and surgeon
27or podiatrist who owns and operates the clinical laboratory.

28(14) “Point-of-care laboratory testing device” means a portable
29laboratory testing instrument to which the following applies:

30(A) It is used within the proximity of the patient for whom the
31test or examination is being conducted.

32(B) It is used in accordance with the patient test management
33system, the quality control program, and the comprehensive quality
34assurance program established and maintained by the laboratory
35pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) of Section 1220.

36(C) It meets the following criteria:

37(i) Performs clinical laboratory tests or examinations classified
38as waived or of moderate complexity under the federal Clinical
39Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA) (42 U.S.C.
40Sec. 263a).

P7    1(ii) Performs clinical laboratory tests or examinations on
2biological specimens that require no preparation after collection.

3(iii) Provides clinical laboratory tests or examination results
4without calculation or discretionary intervention by the testing
5personnel.

6(iv) Performs clinical laboratory tests or examinations without
7the necessity for testing personnel to perform calibration or
8maintenance, except resetting pursuant to the manufacturer’s
9instructions or basic cleaning.

10(15) “Public health laboratory” means a laboratory that is
11operated by a city or county in conformity with Article 5
12(commencing with Section 101150) of Chapter 2 of Part 3 of
13Division 101 of the Health and Safety Code and the regulations
14adopted thereunder.

15(16) “Registered laboratory” means a clinical laboratory
16registered pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section
171265.

18(17) “Specialty” means histocompatibility, microbiology,
19diagnostic immunology, chemistry, hematology,
20immunohematology, pathology, genetics, reproductive biology,
21or other specialty specified by regulation adopted by the
22department.

23(18) “Subspecialty” for purposes of microbiology, means
24bacteriology, mycobacteriology, mycology, parasitology, virology,
25molecular biology, and serology for diagnosis of infectious
26diseases, or other subspecialty specified by regulation adopted by
27the department; for purposes of diagnostic immunology, means
28syphilis serology, general immunology, or other subspecialty
29specified by regulation adopted by the department; for purposes
30of chemistry, means routine chemistry, clinical microscopy,
31endocrinology, toxicology, or other subspecialty specified by
32regulation adopted by the department; for purposes of
33immunohematology, means ABO/Rh Type and Group, antibody
34detection for transfusion, antibody detection nontransfusion,
35antibody identification, compatibility, or other subspecialty
36specified by regulation adopted by the department; for pathology,
37means tissue pathology, oral pathology, diagnostic cytology, or
38other subspecialty specified by regulation adopted by the
39department; for purposes of genetics, means molecular biology
40related to the diagnosis of human genetic abnormalities,
P8    1cytogenetics, biochemical genetics, or other subspecialty specified
2by regulation adopted by the department.

3(b) Nothing in this chapter shall restrict, limit, or prevent any
4person licensed to provide health care services under the laws of
5this state, including, but not limited to, licensed physicians and
6surgeons and registered nurses, from practicing the profession or
7occupation for which he or she is licensed.

8(c) Nothing in this chapter shall authorize any person to perform
9or order health care services, or utilize the results of the clinical
10laboratory test or examination, unless the person is otherwise
11authorized to provide that care or utilize the results. The inclusion
12of a person in Section 1206.5 for purposes of performing a clinical
13laboratory test or examination shall not be interpreted to authorize
14a person, who is not otherwise authorized, to perform venipuncture,
15arterial puncture, or skin puncture.

16

begin deleteSEC. 4.end delete
17begin insertSEC. 5.end insert  

Section 1207 of the Business and Professions Code is
18amended to read:

19

1207.  

(a) begin insert(1)end insertbegin insertend insertbegin insert(A)end insertbegin insertend insertAs used in this chapter, “clinical chemist,”
20or “clinical microbiologist,” or “clinical toxicologist,” or “clinical
21genetic molecular biologist,” or “clinical cytogeneticist,” or
22“clinical reproductive biologist,” or “clinical biochemical
23geneticist,” or “oral and maxillofacial pathologist” means any
24person licensed by the department under Section 1264 to engage
25in, or supervise others engaged in, clinical laboratory practice
26limited to his or her area of specialization or to direct a clinical
27laboratory, or portion thereof, limited to his or her area of begin delete28 specialization. Such a licensed person whoend delete begin insert specialization.end insert

begin insert

29(B) A person described in subparagraph (A) may perform the
30duties and responsibilities of a laboratory director, who is not the
31CLIA laboratory director, limited to his or her area of specialty
32or subspecialty as described in subdivision (b), and shall only
33direct a clinical laboratory providing service within those
34specialties or subspecialties.

end insert

35begin insert(C)end insertbegin insertend insertbegin insertIf a person described in subparagraph (A)end insert is qualified under
36begin delete CLIAend deletebegin insert CLIA, he or sheend insert may perform clinical laboratory tests or
37examinations classified as of high complexity under CLIA, and
38the duties and responsibilities of abegin insert CLIAend insert laboratory director,
39technical consultant, clinical consultant, technical supervisor, and
40general supervisor, as specified under CLIA, limited to his or her
P9    1area of specialty or subspecialty as described in subdivision (b),
2and shall only direct a clinical laboratory providing service within
3those specialties or subspecialties.begin delete Aend delete

4begin insert(2)end insertbegin insertend insertbegin insertAend insert person licensed as a “clinical chemist,” or “clinical
5microbiologist,” or “clinical toxicologist,” or “clinical genetic
6molecular biologist,” or “clinical cytogeneticist,” or “clinical
7reproductive biologist,” or “clinical biochemical geneticist,” or
8“oral and maxillofacial pathologist” may perform any clinical
9laboratory test or examination classified as waived or of moderate
10complexity under CLIA.

11(b) The specialty or subspecialty for each of the limited license
12categories identified in subdivision (a), and the clinical laboratories
13that may be directed by persons licensed in each of those
14categories, are the following:

15(1) For a person licensed under this chapter as a clinical chemist,
16the specialty of chemistry and the subspecialties of routine
17chemistry, endocrinology, clinical microscopy, toxicology, or other
18specialty or subspecialty specified by regulation adopted by the
19department.

20(2) For a person licensed under this chapter as a clinical
21microbiologist, the specialty of microbiology and the subspecialties
22of bacteriology, mycobacteriology, mycology, parasitology,
23virology, molecular biology, and serology for diagnosis of
24infectious diseases, or other specialty or subspecialty specified by
25regulation adopted by the department.

26(3) For a person licensed under this chapter as a clinical
27toxicologist, the subspecialty of toxicology within the specialty of
28chemistry or other specialty or subspecialty specified by regulation
29adopted by the department.

30(4) For a person licensed under this chapter as a clinical genetic
31molecular biologist, the subspecialty of molecular biology related
32to diagnosis of human genetic abnormalities within the specialty
33of genetics or other specialty or subspecialty specified by regulation
34adopted by the department.

35(5) For a person licensed under this chapter as a clinical
36cytogeneticist, the subspecialty of cytogenetics within the specialty
37of genetics or other specialty or subspecialty specified by regulation
38adopted by the department.

39(6) For a person licensed under this chapter as a clinical
40biochemical geneticist, the subspecialty of biochemical genetics
P10   1within the specialty of genetics or other specialty or subspecialty
2specified by regulation adopted by the department.

3(7) For a person licensed under this chapter as a clinical
4reproductive biologist, the specialty of reproductive biology or
5other specialty or subspecialty specified by regulation adopted by
6the department.

7(8) For a person licensed under this chapter as an oral and
8maxillofacial pathologist, the subspecialty of oral pathology within
9the specialty of pathology or other specialty or subspecialty
10specified by regulation adopted by the department.

11

begin deleteSEC. 5.end delete
12begin insertSEC. 6.end insert  

Section 1209 of the Business and Professions Code is
13amended to read:

14

1209.  

(a) As used in this chapter, “laboratory director” means
15any person who is any of the following:

16(1) A duly licensed physician and surgeon.

17(2) Only for purposes of a clinical laboratory test or examination
18classified as waived, is any of the following:

19(A) A duly licensed clinical laboratory scientist.

20(B) A duly licensed limited clinical laboratory scientist.

21(C) A duly licensed naturopathic doctor.

22(D) A duly licensed optometrist serving as the director of a
23laboratory that only performs clinical laboratory tests authorized
24in paragraph (10) of subdivision (e) of Section 3041.

25(3) Licensed to direct a clinical laboratory under this chapter.

26(b) (1) A person defined in paragraph (1) or (3) of subdivision
27(a) who is identified as the CLIA laboratory director of a laboratory
28that performs clinical laboratory tests classified as moderate or
29high complexity shall also meet the laboratory director
30qualifications under CLIA for the type and complexity of tests
31being offered by the laboratory.

32(2) As used in this subdivision, “CLIA laboratory director”
33means the person identified as the laboratory director on the CLIA
34certificate issued to the laboratory by the federal Centers for
35Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

36(c) The laboratory director, if qualified under CLIA, may
37perform the duties of the technical consultant, technical supervisor,
38clinical consultant, general supervisor, and testing personnel, or
39delegate these responsibilities to persons qualified under CLIA.
40If the laboratory director reapportions performance of those
P11   1responsibilities or duties, he or she shall remain responsible for
2ensuring that all those duties and responsibilities are properly
3performed.

4(d) (1) The laboratory director is responsible for the overall
5operation and administration of the clinical laboratory, including
6administering the technical and scientific operation of a clinical
7laboratory, the selection and supervision of procedures, the
8reporting of results, and active participation in its operations to
9the extent necessary to ensure compliance with this act and CLIA.
10He or she shall be responsible for the proper performance of all
11laboratory work of all subordinates and shall employ a sufficient
12number of laboratory personnel with the appropriate education
13and either experience or training to provide appropriate
14consultation, properly supervise and accurately perform tests, and
15report test results in accordance with the personnel qualifications,
16duties, and responsibilities described in CLIA and this chapter.

17(2) Where a point-of-care laboratory testing device is utilized
18and provides results for more than one analyte, the testing
19personnel may perform and report the results of all tests ordered
20for each analyte for which he or she has been found by the
21laboratory director to be competent to perform and report.

22(e) As part of the overall operation and administration, the
23laboratory director of a registered laboratory shall document the
24adequacy of the qualifications (educational background, training,
25and experience) of the personnel directing and supervising the
26laboratory and performing the laboratory test procedures and
27examinations. In determining the adequacy of qualifications, the
28laboratory director shall comply with any regulations adopted by
29the department that specify the minimum qualifications for
30personnel, in addition to any CLIA requirements relative to the
31education or training of personnel.

32(f) As part of the overall operation and administration, the
33laboratory director of a licensed laboratory shall do all of the
34following:

35(1) Ensure that all personnel, prior to testing biological
36specimens, have the appropriate education and experience, receive
37the appropriate training for the type and complexity of the services
38offered, and have demonstrated that they can perform all testing
39operations reliably to provide and report accurate results. In
40determining the adequacy of qualifications, the laboratory director
P12   1shall comply with any regulations adopted by the department that
2specify the minimum qualifications for, and the type of procedures
3that may be performed by, personnel in addition to any CLIA
4requirements relative to the education or training of personnel.
5Any regulations adopted pursuant to this section that specify the
6type of procedure that may be performed by testing personnel shall
7be based on the skills, knowledge, and tasks required to perform
8the type of procedure in question.

9(2) Ensure that policies and procedures are established for
10monitoring individuals who conduct preanalytical, analytical, and
11postanalytical phases of testing to ensure that they are competent
12and maintain their competency to process biological specimens,
13perform test procedures, and report test results promptly and
14proficiently, and, whenever necessary, identify needs for remedial
15training or continuing education to improve skills.

16(3) Specify in writing the responsibilities and duties of each
17individual engaged in the performance of the preanalytic, analytic,
18and postanalytic phases of clinical laboratory tests or examinations,
19including which clinical laboratory tests or examinations the
20individual is authorized to perform, whether supervision is required
21for the individual to perform specimen processing, test
22performance, or results reporting, and whether consultant,
23supervisor, or director review is required prior to the individual
24reporting patient test results.

25(g) The competency and performance of staff of a licensed
26laboratory shall be evaluated and documented by the laboratory
27director, or by a person who qualifies as a technical consultant or
28a technical supervisor under CLIA depending on the type and
29complexity of tests being offered by the laboratory.

30(1) The procedures for evaluating the competency of the staff
31shall include, but are not limited to, all of the following:

32(A) Direct observations of routine patient test performance,
33including patient preparation, if applicable, and specimen handling,
34processing, and testing.

35(B) Monitoring the recording and reporting of test results.

36(C) Review of intermediate test results or worksheets, quality
37control records, proficiency testing results, and preventive
38maintenance records.

39(D) Direct observation of performance of instrument
40maintenance and function checks.

P13   1(E) Assessment of test performance through testing previously
2analyzed specimens, internal blind testing samples, or external
3proficiency testing samples.

4(F) Assessment of problem solving skills.

5(2) Evaluation and documentation of staff competency and
6performance shall occur at least semiannually during the first year
7an individual tests biological specimens. Thereafter, evaluations
8shall be performed at least annually unless test methodology or
9instrumentation changes, in which case, prior to reporting patient
10test results, the individual’s performance shall be reevaluated to
11include the use of the new test methodology or instrumentation.

12(h) The laboratory director of each clinical laboratory of an
13acute care hospital shall be a physician and surgeon who is a
14qualified pathologist, except as follows:

15(1) If a qualified pathologist is not available, a physician and
16surgeon or a clinical laboratory bioanalyst qualified as a laboratory
17director under subdivision (a) may direct the laboratory. However,
18a qualified pathologist shall be available for consultation at suitable
19intervals to ensure high-quality service.

20(2) If there are two or more clinical laboratories of an acute care
21hospital, those additional clinical laboratories that are limited to
22the performance of blood gas analysis, blood electrolyte analysis,
23or both, may be directed by a physician and surgeon qualified as
24a laboratory director under subdivision (a), irrespective of whether
25a pathologist is available.

26As used in this subdivision, a qualified pathologist is a physician
27and surgeon certified or eligible for certification in clinical or
28anatomical pathology by the American Board of Pathology or the
29American Osteopathic Board of Pathology.

30(i) Subdivision (h) does not apply to any director of a clinical
31laboratory of an acute care hospital acting in that capacity on or
32before January 1, 1988.

33(j) A laboratory director may serve as the director of up to the
34maximum number of laboratories stipulated by CLIA, as defined
35under Section 1202.5.

36

begin deleteSEC. 6.end delete
37begin insertSEC. 7.end insert  

Section 1210 of the Business and Professions Code is
38amended to read:

39

1210.  

(a) As used in this chapter, “clinical chemist scientist,”
40“clinical microbiologist scientist,” “clinical toxicologist scientist,”
P14   1“clinical immunohematologist scientist,” “clinical genetic
2molecular biologist scientist,”begin insert “clinical biochemical geneticist
3scientist,” “clinical reproductive biologist scientist,”end insert
“clinical
4cytogeneticist scientist,” and “clinical histocompatibility scientist”
5means any person, other than a person licensed to direct a clinical
6laboratory, or licensed as a clinical laboratory scientist or trainee,
7who is licensed under Sections 1261, 1261.5, and 1262 to engage
8in clinical laboratory practice. Such a licensed person who is
9qualified under CLIA may perform clinical laboratory tests
10classified as of high complexity under CLIA and the duties and
11responsibilities of a technical consultant, clinical consultant,
12technical supervisor, and general supervisor limited to the specialty
13or subspecialty as identified in subdivision (b) for which he or she
14is licensed by the department. A person licensed as a “clinical
15chemist scientist,” or “clinical microbiologist scientist,” or “clinical
16toxicologist scientist,” or “clinical immunohematologist scientist,”
17or “clinical genetic molecular biologist scientist,”begin insert or “clinical
18biochemical geneticist scientist,” or “clinical reproductive
19biologist scientist,”end insert
or “clinical cytogeneticist scientist,” or a
20“clinical histocompatibility scientist” may perform any clinical
21laboratory test or examination classified as waived or of moderate
22complexity under CLIA.

23(b) The specialties and subspecialties included in each of the
24license categories identified in subdivision (a), are the following:

25(1) For a person licensed under this chapter as a clinical chemist
26scientist, the specialty of chemistry and the subspecialties of routine
27chemistry, endocrinology, clinical microscopy, toxicology, or other
28specialty or subspecialty specified by regulation adopted by the
29department.

30(2) For a person licensed under this chapter as a clinical
31microbiologist scientist, the specialty of microbiology and the
32subspecialties of bacteriology, mycobacteriology, mycology,
33parasitology, virology, or molecular biology and serology for
34diagnosis of infectious diseases, or other specialty or subspecialty
35specified by regulation adopted by the department.

36(3) For a person licensed under this chapter as a clinical
37toxicologist scientist, the subspecialty of toxicology within the
38specialty of chemistry or other specialty or subspecialty specified
39by regulation adopted by the department.

P15   1(4) For a person licensed under this chapter as a clinical genetic
2molecular biologist scientist, the subspecialty of molecular biology
3related to the diagnosis of human genetic abnormalities within the
4specialty of genetics, or other specialty or subspecialty specified
5by regulation adopted by the department.

6(5) For a person licensed under this chapter as a clinical
7cytogeneticist scientist, the subspecialty of cytogenetics within the
8specialty of genetics or other specialty or subspecialty specified
9by regulation adopted by the department.

10(6) For a person licensed under this chapter as a clinical
11biochemical geneticist scientist, the subspecialty of biochemical
12genetics within the specialty of genetics or other specialty or
13subspecialty specified by regulation adopted by the department.

14(7) For a person licensed under this chapter as a clinical
15reproductive biologist scientist, the specialty of reproductive
16biology, or other specialty or subspecialty specified by regulation
17adopted by the department.

18(8) For a person licensed under this chapter as a clinical
19immunohematologist scientist, the specialty of immunohematology
20or other specialty or subspecialty specified by regulation adopted
21by the department.

22(9) For a person licensed under this chapter as a clinical
23histocompatibility scientist, the specialty of histocompatibility or
24other specialty or subspecialty specified by regulation adopted by
25the department.

26(c) Clinical chemist scientists, clinical microbiologist scientists,
27clinical toxicologist scientists, clinical immunohematologist
28scientists, clinical genetic molecular biologist scientists, clinical
29cytogeneticist scientists, and clinical histocompatibility scientists
30shall engage in clinical laboratory practice authorized by their
31licensure only under the overall operation and administration of a
32laboratory director.

33

begin deleteSEC. 7.end delete
34begin insertSEC. 8.end insert  

Section 1260 of the Business and Professions Code is
35amended to read:

36

1260.  

The department shall issue a clinical laboratory
37bioanalyst’s license to each person who is a lawful holder of a
38degree of master of arts, master of science, or an equivalent or
39higher degree as determined by the department with a major in
40chemical, physical, biological, or clinical laboratory sciences. This
P16   1education shall have been obtained in one or more established and
2reputable institutions maintaining standards equivalent, as
3determined by the department, to those institutions accredited by
4the Western Association of Schools and Colleges or an essentially
5equivalent accrediting agency, as determined by the department.
6The applicant also shall have a minimum of four years’ experience
7as a clinical laboratory scientist performing clinical laboratory
8work embracing the various fields of clinical laboratory activity
9in a clinical laboratory certified underbegin delete theend delete CLIA. The quality and
10variety of this experience shall be satisfactory to the department
11and shall have been obtained within the six-year period
12immediately antecedent to admission to the examination. The
13applicant shall successfully pass a written examination and an oral
14examination conducted by the department or a committee
15designated by the department to conduct the examinations,
16indicating that the applicant is properly qualified. The department
17may issue a license without conducting a written examination to
18an applicant who has passed a written examination of a national
19accrediting board having requirements that are, in the determination
20of the department, equal to or greater than those required by this
21chapter and regulations adopted by the department. The department
22shall establish by regulation the required courses to be included
23in the college or university training.

24

begin deleteSEC. 8.end delete
25begin insertSEC. 9.end insert  

Section 1261.5 of the Business and Professions Code
26 is amended to read:

27

1261.5.  

The department may issue limited clinical laboratory
28scientist’s licenses in chemistry, microbiology, toxicology,
29histocompatibility, immunohematology, reproductive biology,
30biochemical genetics, genetic molecular biology, cytogenetics, or
31other areas of laboratory specialty or subspecialty when determined
32to be necessary by the department in order for licensure categories
33to keep abreast of changes in laboratory or scientific technology.
34Whenever the department determines that a new limited clinical
35laboratory scientist license category is necessary, it shall adopt
36regulations identifying the category and the areas of specialization
37included within the category.

38To qualify for admission to the examination for a special clinical
39laboratory scientist’s license, an applicant shall have all the
40following:

P17   1(a) Have graduated from a college or university maintaining
2standards equivalent, as determined by the department, to those
3institutions accredited by the Western Association of Schools and
4Colleges or an essentially equivalent accrediting agency with a
5baccalaureate or higher degree with a major appropriate to the
6field for which a license is being sought.

7(b) Have one year of full-time postgraduate training or
8experience in the various areas of analysis in the field for which
9a license is being sought in a laboratory that has a license issued
10under this chapter or which the department determines is equivalent
11thereto.

12(c) Whenever a limited clinical laboratory scientist’s license is
13established for a specific area of specialization, the department
14may issue the license without examination to applicants who had
15met standards of education and training, defined by regulations,
16prior to the date of the adoption of implementing regulations.

17(d) The department shall adopt regulations to implement this
18section.

19

begin deleteSEC. 9.end delete
20begin insertSEC. 10.end insert  

Section 1264 of the Business and Professions Code
21 is amended to read:

22

1264.  

The department shall issue a clinical chemist, clinical
23microbiologist, clinical toxicologist, clinical reproductive biologist,
24clinical biochemical geneticist, clinical molecular biologist, or
25clinical cytogeneticist license to each person who has applied for
26the license on forms provided by the department, who is a lawful
27holder of a master of science or doctoral degree in the specialty
28for which the applicant is seeking a license and who has met such
29additional reasonable qualifications of training, education, and
30experience as the department may establish by regulations. The
31department shall issue an oral and maxillofacial pathologist license
32to every applicant for licensure who has applied for the license on
33forms provided by the department, who is a registered Diplomate
34of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, and
35who meets any additional and reasonable qualifications of training,
36education, and experience as the department may establish by
37regulation.

38(a) The graduate education shall have included 30 semester
39hours of coursework in the applicant’s specialty. Applicants
40possessing only a master of science degree shall have the equivalent
P18   1of one year of full-time, directed study or training in procedures
2and principles involved in the development,begin delete modificationend delete
3begin insert modification,end insert or evaluation of laboratory methods, including
4training in complex methods applicable to diagnostic laboratory
5work. Each applicant must have had one year of training in his or
6her specialty in a clinical laboratory acceptable to the department
7and three years of experience in his or her specialty in a clinical
8laboratory, two years of which must have been at a supervisory
9level. The education shall have been obtained in one or more
10established and reputable institutions maintaining standards
11equivalent, as determined by the department, to those institutions
12accredited by an agency acceptable to the department. The
13department shall determine by examination that the applicant is
14properly qualified. Examinations, training, or experience
15requirements for specialty licenses shall cover only the specialty
16concerned.

17(b) The department may issue licenses without examination to
18applicants who have passed examinations of other states or national
19accrediting boards whose requirements are equal to or greater than
20those required by this chapter and regulations established by the
21department. The evaluation of other state requirements or
22requirements of national accrediting boards shall be carried out
23by the department with the assistance of representatives from the
24licensed groups. This section shall not apply to persons who have
25passed an examination by another state or national accrediting
26board prior to the establishment of requirements that are equal to
27or exceed those of this chapter or regulations of the department.

28(c) The department may issue licenses without examination to
29applicants who had met standards of education and training, defined
30by regulations, prior to the date of the adoption of implementing
31regulations.

32(d) The department shall adopt regulations to conform to this
33section.

34

begin deleteSEC. 10.end delete
35begin insertSEC. 11.end insert  

Section 1300 of the Business and Professions Code
36 is amended to read:

37

1300.  

The amount of application, registration, and license fees
38under this chapter shall be as follows:

39(a) The application fee for a histocompatibility laboratory
40director’s, clinical laboratory bioanalyst’s, clinical chemist’s,
P19   1clinical microbiologist’s, clinical laboratory toxicologist’s, clinical
2reproductive biologist’s, clinical biochemical geneticist’s, clinical
3cytogeneticist’s, or clinical molecular biologist’s license is
4sixty-three dollars ($63) commencing on July 1, 1983.

5(b) The annual renewal fee for a histocompatibility laboratory
6director’s, clinical laboratory bioanalyst’s, clinical chemist’s,
7clinical microbiologist’s, clinical laboratory toxicologist’s, clinical
8reproductive biologist’s, clinical biochemical geneticist’s, clinical
9cytogeneticist’s, or clinical molecular biologist’s license is
10sixty-three dollars ($63) commencing on July 1, 1983.

11(c) The application fee for a clinical laboratory scientist’s or
12limited clinical laboratory scientist’s license is thirty-eight dollars
13($38) commencing on July 1, 1983.

14(d) The application and annual renewal fee for a
15cytotechnologist’s license is fifty dollars ($50) commencing on
16January 1, 1991.

17(e) The annual renewal fee for a clinical laboratory scientist’s
18or limited clinical laboratory scientist’s license is twenty-five
19dollars ($25) commencing on July 1, 1983.

20(f) A clinical laboratory applying for a license to perform tests
21or examinations classified as of moderate or of high complexity
22under CLIA and a clinical laboratory applying for certification
23under subdivision (c) of Section 1223 shall pay an application fee
24for that license or certification based on the number of tests it
25performs or expects to perform in a year, as follows:

26(1) Less than 2,001 tests: two hundred seventy dollars ($270).

27(2) Between 2,001 and 10,000, inclusive, tests: eight hundred
28twenty dollars ($820).

29(3) Between 10,001 and 25,000, inclusive, tests: one thousand
30three hundred fifteen dollars ($1,315).

31(4) Between 25,001 and 50,000, inclusive, tests: one thousand
32five hundred eighty dollars ($1,580).

33(5) Between 50,001 and 75,000, inclusive, tests: one thousand
34nine hundred sixty dollars ($1,960).

35(6) Between 75,001 and 100,000, inclusive, tests: two thousand
36three hundred forty dollars ($2,340).

37(7) Between 100,001 and 500,000, inclusive, tests: two thousand
38seven hundred forty dollars ($2,740).

39(8) Between 500,001 and 1,000,000, inclusive, tests: four
40thousand nine hundred ten dollars ($4,910).

P20   1(9) More than 1,000,000 tests: five thousand two hundred sixty
2dollars ($5,260) plus three hundred fifty dollars ($350) for every
3 500,000 tests over 1,000,000, up to a maximum of 15,000,000
4tests.

5(g) A clinical laboratory performing tests or examinations
6classified as of moderate or of high complexity under CLIA and
7a clinical laboratory with a certificate issued under subdivision (c)
8of Section 1223 shall pay an annual renewal fee based on the
9number of tests it performed in the preceding calendar year, as
10follows:

11(1) Less than 2,001 tests: one hundred seventy dollars ($170).

12(2) Between 2,001 and 10,000, inclusive, tests: seven hundred
13twenty dollars ($720).

14(3) Between 10,001 and 25,000, inclusive, tests: one thousand
15one hundred fifteen dollars ($1,115).

16(4) Between 25,001 and 50,000, inclusive, tests: one thousand
17three hundred eighty dollars ($1,380).

18(5) Between 50,001 and 75,000, inclusive, tests: one thousand
19seven hundred sixty dollars ($1,760).

20(6) Between 75,001 and 100,000, inclusive, tests: two thousand
21forty dollars ($2,040).

22(7) Between 100,001 and 500,000, inclusive, tests: two thousand
23four hundred forty dollars ($2,440).

24(8) Between 500,001 and 1,000,000, inclusive, tests: four
25thousand six hundred ten dollars ($4,610).

26(9) More than 1,000,000 tests per year: four thousand nine
27 hundred sixty dollars ($4,960) plus three hundred fifty dollars
28($350) for every 500,000 tests over 1,000,000, up to a maximum
29of 15,000,000 tests.

30(h) The application fee for a trainee’s license is thirteen dollars
31($13) commencing on July 1, 1983.

32(i) The annual renewal fee for a trainee’s license is eight dollars
33($8) commencing on July 1, 1983.

34(j) The application fee for a duplicate license is five dollars ($5)
35commencing on July 1, 1983.

36(k) The personnel licensing delinquency fee is equal to the
37annual renewal fee.

38(l) The director may establish a fee for examinations required
39under this chapter. The fee shall not exceed the total cost to the
40department in conducting the examination.

P21   1(m) A clinical laboratory subject to registration under paragraph
2(2) of subdivision (a) of Section 1265 and performing only those
3 clinical laboratory tests or examinations considered waived under
4CLIA shall pay an annual fee of one hundred dollars ($100). A
5clinical laboratory subject to registration under paragraph (2) of
6subdivision (a) of Section 1265 and performing only
7provider-performed microscopy, as defined under CLIA, shall pay
8an annual fee of one hundred fifty dollars ($150). A clinical
9laboratory performing both waived and provider-performed
10microscopy shall pay an annual registration fee of one hundred
11fifty dollars ($150).

12(n) The costs of the department in conducting a complaint
13investigation, imposing sanctions, or conducting a hearing under
14this chapter shall be paid by the clinical laboratory. The fee shall
15be no greater than the fee the laboratory would pay under CLIA
16for the same type of activities and shall not be payable if the
17clinical laboratory would not be required to pay those fees under
18CLIA.

19(o) The state, a district, city, county, city and county, or other
20political subdivision, or any public officer or body shall be subject
21to the payment of fees established pursuant to this chapter or
22regulations adopted thereunder.

23(p) In addition to the payment of registration or licensure fees,
24a clinical laboratory located outside the State of California shall
25reimburse the department for travel and per diem to perform any
26necessary onsite inspections at the clinical laboratory in order to
27ensure compliance with this chapter.

28(q) The department shall establish an application fee and a
29renewal fee for a medical laboratory technician license, the total
30fees collected not to exceed the costs of the department for the
31implementation and operation of the program licensing and
32regulating medical laboratory technicians pursuant to Section
331260.3.

34(r) The costs of the department to conduct any reinspections to
35ensure compliance of a laboratory applying for initial licensure
36shall be paid by the laboratory. This additional cost for each visit
37shall be equal to the initial application fee and shall be paid by the
38laboratory prior to issuance of a license. The department shall not
39charge a reinspection fee if the reinspection is due to error or
40omission on the part of the department.

P22   1(s) A fee of twenty-five dollars ($25) shall be assessed for
2approval of each additional location authorized by paragraph (2)
3of subdivision (d) of Section 1265.

4(t) On or before July 1, 2013, the department shall report to the
5Legislature during the annual legislative budget hearing process
6the extent to which the state oversight program meets or exceeds
7federal oversight standards and the extent to which the federal
8Department of Health and Human Services is accepting exemption
9applications and the potential cost to the state for an exemption.



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