Boards established
(a) The following boards are hereby established within the Department:
(1) The Board of Medical Examiners
(2) The Board of Dental Examiners
(3) The Board of Pharmacy
(4) The Board of Nurse Licensure
(5) The Board of Optometrical Examiners
(6) The Board of Physical Therapy
(7) The Board of Chiropractic Examiners
(8) The Board of Podiatry Examiners.
Composition; qualifications; appointment; tenure
(b) The Boards provided in subsection (a) of this section shall be composed of members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Legislature as follows:
(1) The Board of Medical Examiners—
(A) Four physicians licensed to practice in the Virgin Islands; two of whom must reside in the district of the St. Croix and two in the district of St. Thomas and St. John.
(B) Three members from the Virgin Islands community of recognized ability and integrity in non-medical professions; one of whom must reside on St. Croix, one on St. Thomas and one on St. John.
(2) The Board of Dental Examiners—
(A) five dentists licensed to practice in the Virgin Islands for at least five years before the date of appointment—three to be appointed for initial terms of two years, and two for initial terms of four years. Thereafter, all appointments shall be for four years. Three examiners shall reside in the district of St. Thomas and St. John, and two shall reside in the district of St. Croix.
(B) One dental hygienist who must be a resident of the Virgin Islands; and one member of the public of recognized ability and integrity in a non-healthcare profession, who has been a resident of the Virgin Islands for at least five years. Appointments made in accordance with this subparagraph must be for a term of four years, and no member appointed under this subparagraph may serve more than two terms on the Board.
(3) The Board of Pharmacy—five pharmacists registered in the Virgin Islands for at least five years prior to the date of appointment; the members of the Board first to be appointed shall hold office, one for one year, one for two years, one for three years, one for four years, and one for five years, the term of each to be designated by the Governor. Thereafter all appointments shall be for five years. Not more than three members shall reside in any one district and not less than two shall be pharmacists in the retail pharmacy business.
(4) The Board of Nurse Licensure—one nurse anesthetist, one nurse-midwife, one nurse educator, two nurses from varied areas of specialization, two licensed practical nurses and two voting lay people; one to represent St. Croix and one from St. Thomas/St. John; five to be appointed for initial terms of two years and six for initial terms of three years. Thereafter, all terms shall be for three years. Members may be reappointed. Upon the expiration of a member’s term, the member may serve until the member’s successor is appointed. Each member of the Board shall have been a citizen of the United States and a resident of the United States Virgin Islands for at least five years. Each nurse appointee shall possess a license to practice nursing in the Virgin Islands, shall have at least five years of experience in nursing, and shall preferably be actively engaged in nursing at the time of the appointment. All nurse specialists should be certified in their area of practice. A panel of nominees, representative of all three islands, shall be submitted by recognized organized nursing organizations or groups to the Governor at least 90 days prior to the expiration of the term of each board member, from which panel the Governor in consultation with the Commissioner of Health may select his appointees to the board.
(5) The Board of Optometrical, Examiners—seven members including three optometrists, who are licensed to practice in the Virgin Islands. Of the three optometrists, one shall be appointed for an initial term of two years, one for an initial term of three years, and the third for an initial term of four years. Thereafter, and for the remaining four members, all appointments shall be for four years. Of the remaining four members, three shall be employees of the Government of the Virgin Islands and one shall be a member of the private sector. The members of the Board shall have been residents of the Virgin Islands for at least five years; provided, however, that not more than four examiners shall reside in any one district and that the Board shall elect a chairman from among its members.
(6)
(A) The Board of Physical Therapy shall consist of five members, all of whom must reside in the Virgin Islands and have been practicing in the Virgin Islands for no less than three years prior to their appointments. Two members must reside in the district of St. Croix, two members must reside in the district of St. Thomas and St. John, and at least one member must represent the public and must not be in the medical profession or have a conflict of interest. Two of the members, one of whom may be a physical therapist assistant, must be elected by a majority vote of all licensed and practicing physical therapists and physical therapist assistants residing in the Territory, and the other three members must be nominated as provided in this section.
(B) The governor shall appoint one member from each district and the public member.
(C) All nominees must be appointed only with the advice and consent of the Legislature.
(7) The Board of Chiropractic Examiners—four chiropractic physicians who have held a license to practice chiropractic in the Territory at least three years, all of whom shall be licensed to practice in the United States Virgin Islands, and one member of the public, who is neither a physician nor a chiropractic physician all of whom must be bona fide residents of the Virgin Islands.
(8) The Board of Podiatry Examiners—five physicians and/or podiatrists, at least one of whom shall be a podiatrist and all of whom shall be licensed to practice in the Virgin Islands; three to be appointed by the Governor upon the recommendation of the Commissioner of Health for initial terms of three years and two for initial terms of four years. Thereafter, all appointments shall be for four years or until such time as a successor is appointed. Not more than three examiners shall reside in any one district. Members may be removed by the Governor for cause.
Chairman
(c) Each board shall elect annually one of its members to serve as its Chairman; provided that the Governor shall designate the first Chairman of each board initially appointed under this section.
(d) Omitted.
Removal of members
(e)
(1) The members may be removed by the Governor for cause.
(2) The Governor may remove any member of the Board of Nurse Licensure for neglect of any duty required by law or for incompetence or unprofessional or dishonorable conduct as recommended by the Board of Nurse Licensure.