Frequently Asked Questions
What is credentialing ?
…According to the Kansas Statutes Annotated 65-5001(a)...
"Credentialing" or "credentialed" means the formal recognition of professional or technical competence through the process of registration, licensure or other statutory regulation.
What are the differences with respect to certification, registration, and licensure …
Kansas Statutes Annotated 65-5001 (b), (c), (d) states…
(b) "Certification" means the process by which a nongovernmental agency or association or the federal government grants recognition to an individual who has met certain predetermined qualifications specified by the nongovernmental agency or association or the federal government.
(c) "Registration" means the process by which the state identifies and lists on an official roster those persons who meet predetermined qualifications and who will be the only persons permitted to use a designated title.
(d) "Licensure" means a method of regulation by which the state grants permission to persons who meet predetermined qualifications to engage in an occupation or profession, and that to engage in such occupation or profession without a license is unlawful.
Why would Kansas perfusionists want credentialed and why would the state do it…
Let’s take the second part first.
The state(s) credential(s) health care professionals for the purpose of protecting the public health, safety and welfare unless the state feels that the public is already protected under current law. Kansas perfusionists may have additional incentives to want state credentialing. Unquestionably we are all invested in public safety and welfare. However, credentialed healthcare professionals enjoy specific legal rights, depending on the level of state recognition. These legal rights include the permission to use a designated title (Registration) and the permission to engage in an occupation or profession (Licensure). Licensure therefore provides the legal right to perform a scope of practice. In addition, state recognition provides for a “place at the table” within the legislative arena for an occupation or profession to express its point of view.
Isn’t ABCP certification enough …
Well, yes and no. Certification is enough to satisfy what is often considered to be the highest form of recognition within any profession, i.e. the voluntary participation in a process by which a “non- governmental agency or association or the federal government grants recognition to an individual…” - the ABCP is just such an association. However, ABCP certification confers little to no legal standing in state matters.
As a general rule, state credentialing is typically the first step, with “Board Certification” coming later. As a profession we should be commended for having the widely accepted ABCP certification process. But again, “Board Certification” provides no formal recognition at the state level. Think of your surgeons and anesthesia care providers. The attainment of “Board Certification” is a lofty and honorable voluntary achievement, but being licensed in the state is mandatory. Certification and state credentialing serve distinct and often separate purposes. They may be mutually exclusive or be symbiotic in form and function. They are not interchangeable, as one does not suffice for the other.
What are the benefits to state credentialing...
State credentialing is beneficial in many ways. Foremost, it provides for public health, safety and welfare. Licensure, being the highest form of state credentialing protects the public through the recognition and establishment of standards regarding education, continuing education, conduct, and ethics.
The credentialed professional benefits in many ways. Public safety and welfare are enhanced by the regulatory function of the state. The state and other related professions recognize the unique scope of practice of the licensed professional. Professional licensing would allow the profession to set standards for qualifications through a state regulatory mechanism to ensure professional competency and good patient care. Professional licensing would codify in state law the medical duties (scope of practice) and responsibilities developed by the profession and would prevent any unlicensed individual from performing those services in the state. The establishment of a peer review board places the professions matters into the professions hands.
How do health care professionals get credentialed in Kansas …
Credentialing Process Summary
The credentialing process involves several specific steps, each one unique to Kansas. The entire process is detailed in the Kansas Credentialing Review Program: Manual for Applicants.
A representative group (such as the Kansas Practicing Perfusionist Society-KPPS) filesa “notice of intent to apply” with the secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE).
Secretary determines(within 60 days)if the group represents “health care personnel” as defined by KSA 65-5001 (e), (f).
If profession or occupation meets definition of health care personnel, secretary invites group to submit an APPLICATION.
Group submits:
APPLICATION (explicit and very detailed),
FEE ($1,000 – currently in KPPS treasury), and
SIGNATURES (at least 100 Kansas residents).
KDHE staff reviews application for completeness.
Technical Review Committee is formed by KDHE.
"Seven persons are appointed to the committee to examine and investigate each application referred by the secretary. Each member serves a one-year term. Each committee considers each application separately and not more than two applications per term. It takes approximately six months to complete each review once the technical review commences."
Technical Review Committee conducts series of meetings to determine if group meets statutory criteria and to report on findings.
"The technical review includes four sequential proceedings including a full review of the application, analysis of information with regard to the statutory criteria, public hearing in consideration of proponents and opponents, and final findings and recommendations. Additional meetings may be held at the approval of the chair of the committee."
Technical Review Committee makes recommendation to secretary regarding level of credentialing the profession should receive. Recommendations may be: statutory regulation, registration, or licensure.
Secretary of KDHE examines information, findings and recommendations.
“The secretary, within 120 days after receiving the report and recommendations of the technical committee, shall prepare a final report for the legislature.”
Final report and recommendations prepared for Legislature.
"The final report includes the technical committee's review and report; however, the secretary is not bound to the committee's report or recommendation. The criteria as outlined in statute must be supported with clear and convincing evidence, more than hypothetical or testimonial, that the applicant occupational or professional group of health care personnel should be credentialed. Further, if all criteria established in statute and rules and regulations are met, and credentialing by the state is appropriate, the secretary also recommends: (1) the level or levels of credentialing, (2) an agency to be responsible for the credentialing process, and (3) such matters as the secretary deems appropriate to include in legislation relating to the recommendation for credentialing."
Legislative action required for profession to be credentialed.
“No group of health care personnel can be credentialed by the state except as an act of the legislature. The entire credentialing review process constitutes recommendations to the legislature and is not binding upon it. Should the applicant group be recommended for credentialing, it is the responsibility of the applicant group to draft a bill to be introduced to the legislature."