PHYSICAL OR MENTAL EXAMINATION

(a) The physician assistant board shall adopt guidelines, in conjunction with persons interested in or affected by this section, to enable the physician assistant board to evaluate circumstances in which a physician assistant or applicant may be required to submit to an examination for mental or physical health conditions, alcohol and substance abuse, or professional behavior problems. (b) The physician assistant board shall refer a physician assistant or applicant with a physical or mental health condition to the most appropriate medical specialist for evaluation. The physician assistant board may not require a physician assistant or applicant to submit to an examination by a physician having a specialty specified by the physician assistant board unless medically indicated. The physician assistant board may not require a physician assistant or applicant to submit to an examination to be conducted an unreasonable distance from the person's home or place of business unless the physician assistant or applicant resides and works in an area in which there are a limited number of physicians able to perform an appropriate examination. (c) The guidelines adopted under this section do not impair or remove the physician assistant board's power to make an independent licensing decision.