(a) The Board of Podiatry shall have authority to:
(1) Formulate rules and regulations with appropriate notice to those affected; all rules and regulations shall be promulgated in accordance with the procedures specified in the Administrative Procedures Act [Chapter 101 of Title 29] of this State. Each rule or regulation shall implement or clarify a specific section of this chapter.
(2) Designate the application form to be used by all applicants and to process all applications.
(3) Designate the written, standardized examination on podiatry administered by the National Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners (NBPME) and the Podiatric Medical Licensing Examination for States (PMLEXIS), to be taken by all persons applying for licensure.
(4) Evaluate the credentials of all persons applying for a license to practice podiatry in this State, in order to determine whether such persons meet the qualifications for licensing set forth in this chapter.
(5) Grant licenses to and renew licenses of all persons who meet the qualifications for licensure, including those persons who apply for temporary licensure.
(6) Establish by rule and regulation continuing education standards required for license renewal.
(7) Evaluate certified records to determine whether an applicant for licensure who previously has been licensed, certified or registered in another jurisdiction has engaged in any act or offense that would be grounds for disciplinary action under this chapter and whether there are disciplinary proceedings or unresolved complaints pending against such applicant for such acts or offenses.
(8) Refer all complaints from licensees and the public concerning licensed podiatrists or concerning practices of the Board or of the profession to the Division for investigation pursuant to § 8735 of Title 29 and assign a member of the Board to assist the Division in an advisory capacity with the investigation of the technical aspects of the complaint.
(9) Conduct hearings and issue orders in accordance with procedures established pursuant to Chapter 101 of Title 29.
(10) Where it has been determined after a hearing that penalties or sanctions should be imposed, to designate and impose the appropriate sanction or penalty after time for appeal has lapsed.
(b) The members of the Board shall not be subject to and shall be immune from claims, suit, liability, damages or any other recourse, civil or criminal, arising from any act, proceeding, decision or determination undertaken or performed, or recommendation made, so long as such member of the Board acted in good faith and without malice in carrying out the responsibilities, authority, duties, powers and privileges of the offices conferred by law upon them under this chapter, or any other provisions of the Delaware or federal law or rules or regulations or duly adopted rule or regulation of the Board. Good faith is presumed unless otherwise proven, and malice is required to be proven by the complainant.
(c) No member of the Board shall in any manner whatsoever discriminate against any applicant or person holding or applying for a certificate to practice podiatric medicine by reason of sex, race, color, creed or national origin.
(d) No member shall participate in any action of the Board involving directly or indirectly any person related in any way by blood or marriage to said member.
(e) The Board of Podiatry shall promulgate regulations specifically identifying those crimes which are substantially related to the practice of podiatry.