Agency Contact Information
Authority (Repealed)
Laws 1936, First Special Session, Chapter 9 established the Board of Examiners in Basic Sciences (BEBS).
The provisions were codified in the Arizona Code Annotated, 1939, Chapter 67, Article 2 as Sections 67-201 through 67-220. BEBS provisions were renumbered as A.R.S. Title 32, Chapter 4, Sections 32-401 through 32-431 when the state’s laws were codified in the Arizona Revised Statutes in 1956.
The BEBS was repealed by Laws 1968, Chapter 123. The Arizona Medical Board is currently responsible for competency testing of physicians (See A.R.S. §32-1403).
Function
The BEBS was created in 1936 to determine if a person applying to practice healing in the state was knowledgeable in the principles of basic sciences and therefore eligible to receive a certificate of registration in the basic sciences.
In order to procure a license to practice medicine in Arizona, a person must submit specific information and credentials to the Board of Medical Examiners, including a valid basic science certificate issued by the BEBS.
The BEBS administered an examination consisting of six written papers in each of the following subjects: gross anatomy, physiology, pathology, chemistry, bacteriology and hygiene. A person receiving a grade of at least 75 percent in each subject was eligible for a Certificate of Registration in the Basic Sciences. Specific information on the process was published in an informational booklet and updated periodically. See “Sources” below.
The BEBS consisted of five University of Arizona professors, appointed to terms of six years by the Board of Regents of the U of A. See Arizona Code Annotated 1939, Chapter 67, Article 2.
History
Laws 1936, First Special Session, Chapter 9 created the BEBS and authorized it to establish an examination and registration process for those persons seeking to practice healing arts. The measure exempted certain callings, including optometrists, dentists and midwives. The measure also stated the law did not prohibit any person from rendering first aid at the scene of an accident, nor did the law apply to public or private research laboratories.
The measure also outlined the organization of the BEBS and its duties; established fees; described the process to obtain a basic science certificate; provided for an appeal of a Board decision; established penalties for violations of the law; and authorized the Board to conduct investigations. Optometrists, dentists, midwives and nurses were specifically exempted from examination requirements of the BEBS.
Laws 1945, Chapter 63 allowed a person to receive a certificate of registration in the basic sciences based on a reciprocal endorsement based on specific criteria and at the discretion of the BEBS.
Laws 1951, Chapter 91 expanded the exemptions from BEBS examination requirements to include those persons practicing medicine at federal, state, county, municipal or other governmental public health departments as well as those persons engaged in the full time practice of medicine for federal or state hospitals or institutions.
Laws 1964, Chapter 26 modified eligibility requirements to receive a certificate of registration in the basic sciences based on a reciprocal endorsement. The measure outlined specific criteria, including meeting equivalent subject matter and grading standards, and requiring an applicant to pass an exam on any subjects that were not part of the home state requirements or any subjects the applicant failed to pass. The Board retained its discretionary authority to issue a reciprocal endorsement.
Laws 1968, Chapter 123 repealed the BEBS.
Sources
- Arizona Code Annotated 1939, Sections 67-201 through 67-220
- Arizona Revised Statutes §§32-401 through 32-431
- Session Laws
- Laws 1936, First Special Session, Chapter 9
- Laws 1945, Chapter 63
- Laws 1951, Chapter 91
- Laws 1964, Chapter 26
- Laws 1968, Chapter 123
Arizona State Board of Examiners in the Basic Sciences, Information and Instructions
Related Collections at Arizona State Archives
- Record Group 018 – Board of Basic Science Examiners, 1933-1966