Health care practitioners have the option to upgrade their licenses to reflect greater qualifications and expanded expertise after their initial license is issued. An upgrade license not only demonstrates the practitioner’s advanced skills and knowledge but also enhances the level of care available to the public by providing additional professional services and options. During FY 2023-24, MQA issued 15,994 upgraded health care practitioner licenses, enhancing the qualifications and capabilities of the health care workforce and ensuring higher standards of care for the public. Table 5: Upgrade Applications Received and Upgrade Licenses Issued PROFESSION UPGRADE TYPE UPGRADE APPLICATIONS RECEIVED UPGRADE LICENSES ISSUED Chiropractic Medicine Chiropractic Physician Acupuncture Added 43 24 Clinical Laboratory Personnel Clinical Laboratory Personnel Addition of Specialties or Level Upgrade 587 451 Dentistry Dentist Sedation Permit Issued 95 59 Massage Therapy Massage Therapist Colonic Irrigation Apprenticeship 9 0 Massage Therapist Colonic Irrigation Certification 5 3 Nursing Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Upgrade to Autonomous Practice Advanced Practice Registered Nurse 3,254 2,663 Licensed Practical Nurse Nurse Licensure Compact Multistate License 1,578 1,229 Registered Nurse Nurse Licensure Compact Multistate License 9,561 7,613 Opticianry Optician Upgrade to Certified 66 65 Pharmacy Pharmacist Certified To Administer Immunizations 677 653 Pharmacist Collaborative Practice Certification 107 87 Pharmacist Test and Treat Certification 656 645 Registered Pharmacy Technician Certified to Administer Immunizations 2,310 2,051 Physical Therapy Physical Therapist Dry Needling Added 295 295 Radiologic Technology Radiologic Technology Additional Certification 178 156 TOTALS 19,421 15,994 • UPGRADE TYPE - Specific type of upgrade for the profession. Professions not listed have no data to report. • UPGRADE APPLICATIONS RECEIVED - Number of upgrade applications for the upgrade type received during the FY. • UPGRADE LICENSES ISSUED - Number of upgrade licenses issued for the upgrade type during the FY. • Professions not listed have no data to report. MQA Annual Report and Long-Range Plan | FY 2023-24 43
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