(a)
A licensee may be ordered to undergo a professional competency examination if, after investigation and review by a medical expert designated by the division or the Board of Podiatric Medicine, as applicable, there is reasonable cause to believe that the licensee is unable to practice medicine with reasonable skill and safety to patients. Reasonable cause shall be demonstrated by one or more of the following: (1) a single incident of gross negligence; (2) a pattern of inappropriate prescribing; (3) an act of incompetence or negligence causing death or serious bodily injury; or (4) a pattern of substandard care.
(b)
The results of a competency examination shall be admissible as direct evidence and may be considered relevant in any subsequent disciplinary or interim proceeding against the licensee taking it, and, assuming it is determined to be relevant, shall be considered together with other relevant evidence in making a final determination.
(c)
Upon referral from the division, the matter shall be drafted and presented by the Senior Assistant Attorney General of the Health Quality Enforcement Section or his or her designee by way of a written petition detailing the reasonable cause. The petition shall contain all conclusions and facts upon which the presumption of reasonable cause is based. A copy of the petition shall be served on the physician who shall have the opportunity to file written opposition to the petition within 30 days after service. Service of the petition and any orders shall be in accordance with the methods of service authorized by subdivision (c) of Section 11505 of the Government Code.
(d)
A panel of the division shall review the petition and any opposition paper from the physician, or the panel of the division, or an administrative law judge to whom the petition is assigned by the division, may hold a hearing in accordance with the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act to determine if reasonable cause exists, as specified in subdivision (a). The physician shall have the right to be represented at that hearing by the person of his or her choice. If the panel of the division or administrative law judge is satisfied that reasonable cause exists as to the circumstances specified in subdivision (a), the division or panel shall issue an order compelling the physician to undergo an examination of professional competency as measured by community standards. For purposes of this section, “community standards” means the statewide standards of the community of licensees. Failure to comply with the order duly served on the physician shall constitute unprofessional conduct for purposes of disciplinary proceedings.