§ 3101a. Definitions
As used in this chapter, unless the context clearly requires otherwise:
(1) “Certification” means a voluntary process by which a statutory regulatory entity grants
to a person who has met certain prerequisite qualifications the right to assume or
to use the title of the profession or occupation, or the right to assume or use the
term “certified” in conjunction with the title. Use of the title or the term “certified,”
as the case may be, by a person who is not certified is unlawful.
(2) “Licensing” and “licensure” mean a process by which a statutory regulatory entity
grants to a person who has met certain prerequisite qualifications the right to perform
prescribed professional or occupational tasks and to use the title of the profession
or occupation. Practice without a license is unlawful.
(3) “License” means an individual, nontransferable authorization to carry on an activity
based on qualifications such as:
(A) satisfactory completion of or graduation from an accredited or approved educational
or training program; or
(B) acceptable performance on a qualifying examination or series of examinations.
(4) “Office” means the Office of Professional Regulation.
(5) “Practitioner” means a person who is actively engaged in a specified profession or
occupation.
(6) “Public member” means an individual who has no material financial interest in the
profession or occupation being regulated other than as a consumer.
(7) “Registration” means a process requiring that, prior to rendering services, a practitioner
formally notify a regulatory entity of his, her, or its intent to engage in the profession
or occupation. Notification may include the name and address of the practitioner,
the location of the activity to be performed, and a description of the service to
be provided.
(8) “Regulatory entity” means the statutory entity responsible for regulating a profession
or occupation, such as a board or an agency of the State.
(9) “Regulatory law” means any law in this State that requires a person engaged in a profession
or occupation to be registered, certified, or licensed or that otherwise regulates
the operation of that profession or occupation. (Added 1985, No. 255 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; amended 2015, No. 156 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)