(1) As used in this section:

Terms Used In Oregon Statutes 676.303

  • Person: includes individuals, corporations, associations, firms, partnerships, limited liability companies and joint stock companies. See Oregon Statutes 174.100

(a) ‘Health professional regulatory board’ means the agencies listed in ORS § 676.160 and the Health Licensing Office created in ORS § 676.560.

(b) ‘Impairment’ means an inability to practice with reasonable competence and safety due to the habitual or excessive use of drugs or alcohol, other chemical dependency or a mental health condition.

(c) ‘License’ means a license, registration, certification or other authorization to engage in a profession.

(d) ‘Licensee’ means a person licensed, registered, certified or otherwise authorized by a health professional regulatory board to engage in a profession.

(2) All health professional regulatory boards shall operate with the primary purposes of promoting the quality of health services provided, protecting the public health, safety and welfare by ensuring that licensees practice with professional skill and safety and addressing impairment among licensees.

(3) For the purpose of requesting a state or nationwide criminal records check under ORS § 181A.195, a health professional regulatory board may require the fingerprints of a licensee seeking renewal of a license, an applicant for a license, a board employee or volunteer or an applicant for employment with the board. [2009 c.756 § 1; 2013 c.568 § 21]