2-15-1731. Board of medical examiners. (1) There is a Montana state board of medical examiners.

(2) The board consists of 13 members appointed by the governor with the consent of the senate. Appointments made when the legislature is not in session may be confirmed at the next session.

(3) The members are:

(a) five members having the degree of doctor of medicine, including one member with experience in emergency medicine;

(b) one member having the degree of doctor of osteopathy;

(c) one member who is a licensed podiatrist;

(d) one member who is a licensed nutritionist;

(e) one member who is a licensed physician assistant;

(f) one member who is a licensed acupuncturist;

(g) one member who is a volunteer emergency care provider, as defined in 50-6-202; and

(h) two members of the general public who are not medical practitioners.

(4) (a) The members having the degree of doctor of medicine may not be from the same county.

(b) The volunteer emergency care provider must have a demonstrated interest in and knowledge of state and national issues involving emergency medical service and community-integrated health care.

(c) Each member must be a citizen of the United States.

(d) Each member, except for public members, must have been licensed and must have practiced medicine, acupuncture, emergency medical care, or dietetics-nutrition in this state for at least 5 years and must have been a resident of this state for at least 5 years.

(5) Members shall serve staggered 4-year terms. A term begins on September 1 of each year of appointment. A member may be removed by the governor for neglect of duty, incompetence, or unprofessional or dishonorable conduct.

(6) The board is allocated to the department for administrative purposes only as prescribed in 2-15-121.