CLEAR's podcast is a resource in the field of professional and occupational regulation to help stakeholders stay current on new developments and hear diverse opinions on a broad range of topics.
Council on Licensure, Enforcement and Regulation
In this episode of Regulation Matters: a CLEAR conversation, host Line Dempsey continues CLEAR's “Telling Our Story” series with a conversation about the power of connection, community, and global engagement. CLEAR board members Kym Ayscough, Jennifer Garrett, and Michael Carpenter reflect on their personal journeys with CLEAR—from first encounters to board service—and the value they've gained through international perspectives, peer networks, and shared learning around regulatory challenges and opportunities. They discuss how CLEAR fosters regulatory excellence, supports professional development at every career stage, and builds a welcoming space for collaboration and mentorship across borders and professions. Their stories highlight how CLEAR is more than an organization—it's a global regulatory network. Transcript: http://clearweb.drivehq.com/podcast_transcripts/CLEAR_podcast_episode90_CLEAR_Global_Network_Story_061025_transcript.pdf
How can regulators ensure ethical practice when technologies—and their risks—are constantly evolving? Researchers Dr. Tracey Adams and Dr. Kate Leslie discuss the intersection of professional ethics and technological innovation with host Line Dempsey. From the ambiguities of artificial intelligence to the pressure of rapid implementation, the discussion highlights how regulators are addressing practitioner uncertainty; the limits of regulatory reach; and why proactive guidance encouraging reflective, risk-aware practice is more important than ever. Transcript: http://clearweb.drivehq.com/podcast_transcripts/CLEAR_podcast_episode89_ethical_tech_051325_transcript.pdf
In this episode of Regulation Matters: a CLEAR conversation, Line Dempsey chats with experts in regulatory administration to highlight some of the key skills needed to effectively provide staff support to regulatory boards and councils. Sara Chambers, Lise Betteridge, and Priya Bhatia discuss the difference between the role of the regulator and the role of the professional association, the distinction between staff's responsibility for operations and the board's responsibility for policy, development of a strategic mindset, the importance of transparency in decision-making, the collaborative leadership model, effective communication and presentation skills, and the unique aspects and challenges of staffing a regulatory board. These themes and learnings are part of CLEAR's “Skills for the Regulatory Administrator – Staffing a Board” program. Visit CLEAR's website for more information about the course and to register for the June offering. Transcript: http://clearweb.drivehq.com/podcast_transcripts/CLEAR_podcast_episode88_Skills_Administrator_040825_transcript.pdf
During CLEAR's recent midyear business meetings, we conducted an environmental scan and asked our committee members about the top trends or issues they're seeing in professional regulation or in their jurisdictions. Committee members often comment that these environmental scans are the most valuable part of CLEAR's committee meetings. In this episode of Regulation Matters: a CLEAR conversation, we highlight some of the issues and trends mentioned during these environmental scans in order to share this benefit more widely, connecting more members with the committees' activities and discussions. Transcript: http://clearweb.drivehq.com/podcast_transcripts/CLEAR_podcast_episode87_Environmental_Scan_031125_transcript.pdf
In this episode of Regulation Matters: a CLEAR conversation, host Line Dempsey speaks with Brian Tobias, Director of the Colorado Office of Policy, Research and Regulatory Reform, and Katie O'Donnell, Director of Communications and Public Engagement for the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies. They explore Colorado's sunrise review process through the case study of funeral service professionals and discuss how the state navigated media scrutiny following tragic events in Penrose, Colorado. The conversation highlights best practices for evaluating the need for professional regulation, responding to media coverage, engaging stakeholders to maintain public trust, and educating licensees and the public about regulatory changes. Transcript: http://clearweb.drivehq.com/podcast_transcripts/CLEAR_podcast_episode86_Sunrise_Media_0211255_transcript.pdf
How do we balance freedom of expression, professional responsibilities, and the role of the regulator? Scott McLeod shares the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta's perspective. With media coverage and recently proposed legislation focused on freedom of expression of regulated professionals, the CPSA sought to clarify the college's intent and the need to strike the right balance of allowing physicians the freedom to express their opinions while upholding their responsibilities as a professional to protect the public. Scott talks about the challenge to the practitioner of differentiating professional and personal identities, the college's responsibility to determine when professionals' public statements may affect patient care and safety, the complications brought about by social media, and the importance of remaining open to diverse opinions and respectful open discourse. Transcript: http://clearweb.drivehq.com/podcast_transcripts/CLEAR_podcast_episode85_Freedom_Expression_Regulator_011425_transcript.pdf
The 2024 CLEAR Awards were presented in Baltimore during CLEAR's Annual Educational Conference. Our podcast host had the chance to sit down with the recipients and hear about the accomplishments and initiatives they were nominated for. In this part 2 episode, hear from Sharon Oliver, recipient of the Regulatory Excellence Individual Award, and John Pugsley, recipient of the CLEAR Service Award for Lifetime Achievement. Listen to their insights from experience as they pursue regulatory excellence. Transcript: http://clearweb.drivehq.com/podcast_transcripts/CLEAR_podcast_episode84_CLEAR_Awards2_121024_transcript.pdf
The 2024 CLEAR Awards were presented in Baltimore during CLEAR's Annual Educational Conference. Our podcast host had the chance to sit down with the recipients and hear about the accomplishments and cases they were nominated for. In this part 1 episode, hear from MDR Strategy Group, recipient of the Regulatory Excellence Team Award, and the Investigations Bureau with the New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification, recipient of the Investigative Excellence Team Award. Listen to their insights from experience, and tune in next month for part 2 with two more award recipients. Transcript: http://clearweb.drivehq.com/podcast_transcripts/CLEAR_podcast_episode83_CLEAR_Awards1_111224_transcript.pdf
This month's conversation continues the theme of telling CLEAR's story. CLEAR members Paul Byrne and Micah Matthews talk about their CLEAR journeys, how their CLEAR learnings and connections make them better regulators, reflections on regulatory excellence, the greatest challenges to regulators in achieving that excellence, and how we can take CLEAR's story forward to support the new generation of regulatory leaders. Transcript: http://clearweb.drivehq.com/podcast_transcripts/CLEAR_podcast_episode82_CLEAR_Regulatory_Excellence_Story_100824_transcript.pdf
This month's conversation focuses on CLEAR's DEI journey. CLEAR's President and Board of Directors would like to share CLEAR's DEI story with you, both internally as an example of an organization looking at DEI and externally as a clearinghouse of resources related to DEI. CLEAR's president, president-elect, and chairs of the DEI working groups share the DEI elements that have come to be included in CLEAR's strategic plan; insights and challenges to CLEAR's DEI journey; and the outcomes so far from the DEI working groups on internal metrics and data, advisory panel, terminology and connections, and external resources for regulators. Transcript: http://clearweb.drivehq.com/podcast_transcripts/CLEAR_podcast_episode81_CLEAR_DEI_story_091024_transcript.pdf
Get a sneak peek of the plenary sessions at CLEAR's upcoming Annual Educational Conference. Beth Z., your "nerdy best friend," talks about the challenges and opportunities of artificial intelligence: how you can prepare for AI discussions, why people in the regulatory community are concerned about AI, and what regulators should get excited about with AI. Then, Jayde Fuller shares some of Ahpra's experience with the creation of Indigenous decision-making committees: why it's critically important to embed anti-racist practice in regulatory processes, how to move beyond performative anti-racism, and feedback Ahpra has received from the Indigenous communities and healthcare practitioners. Transcript: http://clearweb.drivehq.com/podcast_transcripts/CLEAR_podcast_episode80_AEC_plenary_preview_081324_transcript.pdf
CLEAR and Tyler Technologies partnered to conduct a survey to examine the use and perception of digital technologies within regulatory agencies. Listen as the survey report authors discuss the findings and perceptions about adoption of online services by regulatory agencies, centralized payment systems, digital profiles for licensees and members of the public, and the role of AI in enhancing interactions with stakeholders. What are the implications of the survey findings regarding stakeholders' satisfaction rates with the quality of technology tools? What future steps are recommended to improve regulatory agencies' technology usage and stakeholder engagement? Transcript: http://clearweb.drivehq.com/podcast_transcripts/CLEAR_podcast_episode79_Online_Engagement_Survey_070924_transcript.pdf
Gordon Giddings, Jeremy Beach, and Fisayo Aruleba share research they conducted to ask, "Do Medical Licensing Questions on Health Conditions Pose a Barrier to Physicians Seeking Treatment?" Their research focused on approaches to asking about physician health, sought evidence about whether those questions can act as a barrier to individuals seeking treatment, and explored how those barriers could be mitigated by asking questions in a different way so as to reduce the stigma. Hear some highlights from the studies they reviewed, conclusions they drew, and recommendations for finding a balance between ensuring safe care while not being an impediment to professionals' care-seeking. Transcript: http://clearweb.drivehq.com/podcast_transcripts/CLEAR_podcast_episode78_Application_Barrier_Care-seeking_061124_transcript.pdf
CLEAR's story is a story of connections, learning, and engagement. Join us as host Line Dempsey engages in a compelling dialogue with CLEAR's President, Marc Spector, and President-elect, Staci Mason, exploring their personal journeys within the CLEAR community. Reflecting on their experiences, they highlight the invaluable connections, learning opportunities, and engagement fostered through committee and board service. From the excitement of global networking to insights into effective governance and decision-making processes, Marc and Staci share how their involvement with CLEAR improves their knowledge and understanding of regulatory issues and helps make them better regulatory leaders at their own organizations. Line, Marc, and Staci share their biggest takeaways from their involvement with CLEAR and encourage other CLEAR members to deepen their engagement. Transcript: http://clearweb.drivehq.com/podcast_transcripts/CLEAR_podcast_episode77_Board_Story_051424_transcript.pdf
A few years ago, we had a great conversation with Deanna Williams where we discussed the big question of, What does it mean to be a good regulator? There's not a better or more fundamental question to ask for our CLEAR audience. As the regulatory landscape evolves and we face different challenges in our roles, it's great to go back to some of the fundamentals and keep those concepts top of mind. Good regulators should ask the question, Can we demonstrate that there's value in what we do? Deanna urges regulators to move beyond being just good enough to asking, How can we be better? Transcript: http://clearweb.drivehq.com/podcast_transcripts/CLEAR_podcast_episode76_Revisit_Good_Regulator_040924_transcript.pdf
From new trends like artificial intelligence and banishing diversity, equity and inclusion requirements, to some familiar ones like workforce mobility and licensure compacts, panelists will discuss current legislative initiatives and policy trends happening nationwide that are impacting occupational licensure in 2024. Join us for the legislative rundown with John Bremer from Federation of State Medical Boards, Nicole Livanos from National Council of State Boards of Nursing, and Kelly Parker from Propelus, developers of the continuing education compliance platform, CE Broker. CLEAR thanks CE Broker for being our Premier Education Partner this year. Transcript: http://clearweb.drivehq.com/podcast_transcripts/CLEAR_podcast_episode75_2024_Legislative_Rundown_031224_transcript.pdf
Jo Perini-Abbott and Addie Smith with the Oregon State Bar Alternatives to the Exam Task Force talk about the OSB's deliberative process to research alternatives to the traditional bar exam, including diploma privilege, an experiential law school pathway, and a supervised practice pathway. Hear about the requirements for the ultimately approved Supervised Practice Portfolio Examination (SPPE), its skill-focused method of assessment, and the potential impact on law schools and students. Jo and Addie also share how this new pathway will support diversity and equity in the legal profession. Transcript: http://clearweb.drivehq.com/podcast_transcripts/CLEAR_podcast_episode74_Alternatives_to_Exam_021324_transcript.pdf
One role of regulators is to make appropriate dispositions that adequately address a licensee's or registrant's conduct of concern. Often regulators determine that remedial interventions are necessary or advisable. Catherine Caldicott, Medical Director of PBI Education, helps define "intensive remedial interventions," gives some reasons that licensed professionals might need intensive remedial interventions, and talks about how regulators can find courses and course providers and make sure it's the right course for a particular licensee or situation. She also discusses the approved list method and its benefits for regulators and disciplined licensees alike. Transcript: http://clearweb.drivehq.com/podcast_transcripts/CLEAR_podcast_episode73_Remedial_Interventions_010924_transcript.pdf
This episode revisits a previous conversation about unconscious bias - what it means, how it can influence our decision-making, and what we can do to minimize its impact. We also announce new DEI resources for CLEAR members. CLEAR's DEI Definitions workgroup has developed definitions of key terms frequently used in discussions about DEI. The workgroup carefully considered a range of definitions for each term and is constantly refining and reflecting upon this work. CLEAR's External Resources for Regulators workgroup has compiled a list of resources related to developing, implementing, and measuring DEI initiatives within regulatory organizations. The documents, policies, and research resources are grouped by categories related to starting your DEI journey, foundational knowledge, policy documents, practice standards and practice guides for professionals, DEI-related courses and training, and DEI metrics. There's a wealth of resources, many from fellow regulators, to support you on your DEI journey as we seek to remove bias and discrimination in the professional and occupational regulatory community. Transcript: http://clearweb.drivehq.com/podcast_transcripts/CLEAR_podcast_episode72_DEI_Resources_121223_transcript.pdf
The 2023 CLEAR Awards were presented in Salt Lake City during CLEAR's Annual Educational Conference. Our podcast host had the chance to catch up with the recipients and hear about the cases and accomplishments they were nominated for. In this part 2 episode, hear from Jayde Fuller with the AHPRA Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Strategy Unit, recipient of the Regulatory Excellence Team Award, and Holly Childs and Jonathan Gordon with the Real Estate Council of Alberta, recipient of the Investigative Excellence Team Award. Listen to their insights from experience. Transcript: http://clearweb.drivehq.com/podcast_transcripts/CLEAR_podcast_episode71_2023Awards2_111423_transcript.pdf
The 2023 CLEAR Awards were presented in Salt Lake City during CLEAR's Annual Educational Conference. Our podcast host had the chance to sit down with the recipients and hear about the cases and accomplishments they were nominated for. In this part 1 episode, hear from John Crumley, recipient of the Investigative Excellence Award for an Individual; Ginny Hanrahan, recipient of the Regulatory Excellence Award for an Individual; and Dean Benard, recipient of the Service Award for Lifetime Achievement. Listen to their insights from experience, and tune in next month for part 2 with two more award recipients. Transcript: http://clearweb.drivehq.com/podcast_transcripts/CLEAR_podcast_episode70_2023Awards1_101023_transcript.pdf
Mukul Bakhshi with the Alliance for Ethical International Recruitment Practices for CGFNS International, Inc. shares information about the recently updated “Health Care Code for Ethical International Recruitment and Employment Practices.” He discusses the important balance of making sure people are treated fairly at the micro level while considering global macro level concerns about brain drain and healthcare infrastructure. He highlights the overall work to make the code more accessible and three specific standards that were updated. He shares several resources that regulators can refer to about mobility and international recruitment of healthcare workers. Transcript: http://clearweb.drivehq.com/podcast_transcripts/CLEAR_podcast_episode69_Ethical_Intl_Recruitment_091223_transcript.pdf
Get a sneak peek at the CLEAR conference plenary session, "Own Your Shift: Turn your season of change into your season of possibility." Tiffany Lanier, Change + Wellbeing Speaker and Founder of The Morning Shift Co., will share how to create meaningful impact in our lives, in our work, and in the world by pushing past the old paradigm of rise and grind and stepping into the new paradigm of what she calls "rise and shift." She talks about the mindset, tools, and resources that can help us be more equipped when the challenge of change arises and why it's important to acknowledge that we are human in the midst of these great changes and focus on wellbeing. Engage in further discussion on CLEAR's Regulatory Network (members-only, join here). Transcript: http://clearweb.drivehq.com/podcast_transcripts/CLEAR_podcast_episode68_AECplenary_Navigating_Change_080823_transcript.pdf
Alicia Plemmons with the Knee Center for the Study of Occupational Regulation shares new research her team conducted to explore the relationship between nurse practitioner full practice authority, nurse practitioner workforce diversity, and disparate primary care access. They compared the ethnic and racial composition of different state populations to the nurse practitioner workforce in those states and considered whether removing requirements for collaboration contracts and allowing full practice authority allows more practitioner mobility and greater access to care for underserved communities. "Addressing different ways in which new practitioners may be able to enter and serve marginalized, underrepresented communities before the [physician] shortages get worse - actually analyzing it right now before it gets worse - is really key to ensuring that we maintain accessible and quality healthcare for everybody moving forward." Engage in further discussion on CLEAR's Regulatory Network (members-only, join here). Transcript: http://clearweb.drivehq.com/podcast_transcripts/CLEAR_podcast_episode67_Practice_Authority_Workforce_Diversity_071123_transcript.pdf
Jennifer Best with Nova Scotia College of Nursing talks about some recent policy and process changes the College made to streamline their licensing process for applicants from other provinces and from seven international jurisdictions to bring more nurses into the health system in Nova Scotia. She shares how the College analyzed data from ten years of applicants related to curriculum, entry-level competencies, and exam success rates to confirm comparable preparation to Nova Scotia scope of practice. The new process allows nurses from seven designated countries to apply directly to NSCN if certain eligibility criteria are met. Jennifer shares how these changes have affected license processing times and how the College put measures in place to make sure they weren't sacrificing quality and were safely putting nurses into the system. Engage in further discussion on CLEAR's Regulatory Network (members-only, join here). Transcript: http://clearweb.drivehq.com/podcast_transcripts/CLEAR_podcast_episode66_Processing_Time_061323_transcript.pdf
Andrew LaFratte, Deputy Policy Director, shares an initiative that the Pennsylvania Department of State has developed to lessen the regulatory licensure burden for military veterans and spouses. Based on results from a veterans licensure survey they conducted, the Department recognized the need for better guidance on the transferability of military credentials and experience into occupational licensing requirements. The result - a Military Occupational Crosswalk to identify and relate civilian career opportunities and requirements to a veteran's military experience. Hear about the challenges faced by the veteran community when applying for licensure, the purpose of the Crosswalk, the development of the Crosswalk, promotion of the Crosswalk to the various stakeholders, the impact that it's had so far, and advice for other jurisdictions that may wish to undertake such an initiative. Transcript: http://clearweb.drivehq.com/podcast_transcripts/CLEAR_podcast_episode65_Military_Crosswalk_052323_transcript.pdf Related CLEAR webinar recording for purchase: The Effects of Occupational Licensure for Veterans and Military Spouses shares more about the results of the veterans survey
Dan Hereth, Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, shares his agency's journey with a multi-year, multi-phase technology initiative. He focuses on how enhancements to the technology used for online license applications and renewals has resulted in better service to the citizens of Wisconsin. New cloud-based technology enables applicants to sit in the drive's seat of their application process to submit the documentation and move it forward, while Department staff are better able to identify applications that are ready for review and move those forward most quickly and efficiently. Transcript: http://clearweb.drivehq.com/podcast_transcripts/CLEAR_podcast_episode64_Empowerment_through_Technology_041123_transcript.pdf
Jan Robinson, Bradley Chisholm, and Micah Matthews explore the concept of sandboxes for professional and occupational regulators. What is a regulatory sandbox? It's important to think about it like a tool to relax legal and regulatory requirements to create a bit of safe space for experimenting. Experimentation is really necessary because we're working in complex systems, and so are those we regulate. Regulatory sandboxes can help regulators contribute to needed agility in the regulatory environment, while drawing clear lines where innovation can occur and being specific about where it cannot. Transcript: http://clearweb.drivehq.com/podcast_transcripts/CLEAR_podcast_episode63_Regulatory_Sandboxes_031423_transcript.pdf
Paul Leavoy, Managing Director - Regulatory Content and editor of Ascend magazine for Thentia, talks with CLEAR about regulatory news and current themes in professional licensing. He highlights how labor shortage issues are intertwined with licensing reform and license portability. He talks about some interesting interviews he's done with Dr. Marie Bismark about data trends in complaints and with NCSBN's David Benton about using technology and AI for complaints handling. He gives examples of states doing great work on licensing reform and licensure compacts. And he gives a peek at some research projects Thentia is working on: "Something that excites me is kind of painting a picture of tomorrow's regulator. If we flash forward with all the tools and technologies that are within our grasp - What does it look like 10 years from now?" Transcript: http://clearweb.drivehq.com/podcast_transcripts/CLEAR_podcast_episode62_Trends_Thentia_021423_transcript.pdf
Marcial Boo, chair of the new Institute of Regulation in the UK, joins us for this episode. Hear about the membership and goals of this new professional body for regulators in the UK. Marcial shares some of the challenges facing regulators in the UK, many of them similar to challenges faced by regulatory organizations around the world. Marcial hopes that CLEAR members and members of the Institute of Regulation "can make connections, interact over time, and benefit from the insight that we each have on our different regulatory challenges." Transcript: http://clearweb.drivehq.com/podcast_transcripts/CLEAR_podcast_episode61_Institute_of_Regulation_011023_transcript.pdf
Carol Puchailo with the College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba discusses the College's Inquiry to Audit (I2A) Project, an initiative the practice team took to critically think through their systems processes with a focus on improving communication. She discusses how the goal of quality assurance - always striving to get better - can also be applied to the college's own way of doing business, with a goal of improving communication to the public and to registrants. She discusses challenges of determining what information can be shared between the quality assurance team and the conduct team. She talks about the benefits to registrants and to college staff from clearly defining what an inquiry, consultation, review, and audit are and creating a map and flow chart to direct people through the process. "So, it's a process that worked well, and we felt that we were successful at it, but we had to always check in with ourselves. . . . It's going to be an ongoing conversation." Transcript: http://clearweb.drivehq.com/podcast_transcripts/CLEAR_podcast_episode60_Inquiry_to_Audit_121322_transcript.pdf
Lisa McGiffert with the Patient Safety Action network and Carol Cronin with the Informed Patient Institute share research and recommendations from their report, Communicating about Physician Sexual Misconduct: How are state medical boards doing? They raise concerns about the ability to find information about physician sexual misconduct on state medical board websites. They highlight websites that are doing well at indicating the seriousness of the issue, providing information for doctors and for patients, and providing resources for those who have been sexually assaulted. They give recommendations about clearly stating a policy of zero tolerance, clear explanations for doctors and patients about sexual misbehavior, transparency about complaints, and the use of straightforward language. They also discuss recommendations related to education and training on trauma-informed care and implicit bias. Transcript: http://clearweb.drivehq.com/podcast_transcripts/CLEAR_podcast_episode59_Boards_Communicate_Sexual_ Misconduct_110822_transcript.pdf)
During CLEAR's return to our in-person annual conference in Louisville, we were able to sit down with Board members to discuss the 2022-24 strategic plan and some of the exciting initiatives underway to support CLEAR members. The conversation centered on CLEAR's role in facilitating peer learning and connections and forwarding innovative thinking to support the regulator of tomorrow. Hear about CLEAR's strategic priorities around developing a mentorship model; exploring the concept of regulatory sandboxes; addressing the regulator's role in responding to the workforce crisis; providing resources about innovations and lessons learned related to remote working patterns; and serving as a change agent related to diversity, equity and inclusion in professional and occupational regulation. Transcript: html (https://www.clearhq.org/page-1860760) or PDF (http://clearweb.drivehq.com/podcast_transcripts/CLEAR_podcast_episode58_CLEAR_Strategic_Plan_ 101122_transcript.pdf)
Katie Templeton, Chair of the Federation of State Medical Boards Ethics and Professionalism Committee, shares details on FSMB's full policy on "Professional Expectations Regarding Medical Misinformation and Disinformation." She shares that addressing misinformation shared by practitioners is not something new - it falls under the professional duty and ethical responsibilities to be honest and truthful in all patient interactions and when speaking. She highlights the recommendations in the policy related to boards having a mis/disinformation policy, boards retaining their authority to handle their licensees without legislative overreach, addressing issues of mis/disinformation under the purview of professionalism and ethical duties, considering education or other rehabilitative measures to correct the conduct, and feeling confident moving forward with such cases based on sound regulatory considerations for public protection on the basis of ethical duty. Transcript: html (https://www.clearhq.org/page-1860756) or PDF (http://clearweb.drivehq.com/podcast_transcripts/CLEAR_podcast_episode57_FSMB_Misinformation_Policy_ 090822_transcript.pdf)
Get a sneak peek at another session from the upcoming Annual Educational Conference. Charla Burill with North Carolina Board of Dietitians and Nutrition and Pepin Tuma with Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics address the impact of constitutional free speech challenges to licensure of speaking professions. A lot of lawsuits recently in the US are drawing on the legal argument that states violate the free speech rights of unlicensed individuals by requiring that they meet minimum qualifications and obtain a license in order to practice this so called “speaking profession.” Charla and Pepin talk about why dietetic boards are being sued using this argument, discuss the definition and importance of the professional speech doctrine, and share updates on some recent cases and whether cases actually address licensure laws of a profession. They also discuss whether other professions should be concerned about what's going on - focusing on the concepts of conduct versus speech, professional-client relationship, and strict scrutiny standards for licensure laws. Transcript: html (https://www.clearhq.org/page-1860753) or PDF (http://clearweb.drivehq.com/podcast_transcripts/CLEAR_podcast_episode56_Free_Speech_Challenges_ 080922_transcript.pdf)
Get a sneak peek at some sessions from the upcoming Annual Educational Conference. Abby Migliore with Alabama Board of Nursing focuses on mental health and wellness in healthcare workers. She discusses the difference between mental health and mental wellness and shares statistics and survey responses about what healthcare workers are actually reporting about their own mental health. She talks about how increased stress, burnout, pandemic fatigue, and compassion fatigue pose a threat to the individual and to the healthcare system as a whole. Then, our conference plenary speaker, Ted Ma, talks about what it means to "Be the One: How Great Leaders Bring out the Best in Others." He discusses the importance of creating a culture of mentorship (including some statistical evidence). He shares some differences between being a leader, mentor, coach, or sponsor and touches on some topics that will be the deeper focus of the plenary presentation. Transcript: html (https://www.clearhq.org/page-1860752) or PDF (http://clearweb.drivehq.com/podcast_transcripts /CLEAR_podcast_episode55_Employee_Support_ 071222_transcript.pdf)
A new research report released by the Institute for Justice analyzes 30 years worth of sunrise reviews and draw lessons for licensing policy. Co-authors Lisa Knepper and Kathy Sanchez define sunrise reviews as studies examining whether proposed occupational licenses and other regulations are really a good idea and genuinely in the public's interest, not just the occupation's interest. They discuss some of the common features of sunrise laws and programs across states and share what the research shows about how licensing proposals stand up to the scrutiny of sunrise. Elizabeth Carter, who conducted sunrise reviews for the Virginia Board of Health Professions, shares their rigorous process for sunrise reviews, including their seven criteria and the consistency of their process, which leads to an empirically-based rationale for a recommendation. Listen to the podcast episode and then register for the June 29 webinar (https://www.clearhq.org/event-4753631) when the panelists will dive deeper into what the research and experience can tell us about establishing a strong sunrise review program. Transcript: html (https://www.clearhq.org/page-1860750) or PDF (http://clearweb.drivehq.com/podcast_transcripts /CLEAR_podcast_episode54_Sunrise_Reviews_ 061422_transcript.pdf)
Lise Betteridge, Andrew Charnock, and Nancy Spector discuss social media policies and regulating licensees' use of social media. The theme that arose from the conversation is "the changing times," as the speakers consider why it's important to develop a social media policy or guidelines, protecting privacy and confidentiality, and guiding licensees to make the link between standards of practice and their professional judgment around social media use. They discuss the legal framework and enforceability of the policies and responding to complaints. They stress the need for professionals, who are in a position of influence, to use their professional judgment in every interaction, whether professional or personal and whether they're using their professional title or not. "It's a sign of the times and the need to adjust to contemporary practice and social norms that are happening across society." Transcript: html (https://www.clearhq.org/page-1860746) or PDF (http://clearweb.drivehq.com/podcast_transcripts /CLEAR_podcast_episode53_Licensee_Social_Media_ 051022_transcript.pdf)
Adam Diersing, policy analyst for the Center of Innovation with the Council of State Governments, shares information about CSG's 2021 survey of universal license recognition laws. He describes what ULR laws mean and how they differ from other license portability models such as endorsement, reciprocity agreements, or interstate compacts. He details some of the variations in ULR laws among states that have implemented them. He shares what survey respondents indicated about their experiences in implementation, challenges, and benefits. He offers some lessons learned about substantial equivalency requirements, stakeholder engagement, and digital licensing that could be helpful to states that are considering a ULR law. Transcript: html (https://www.clearhq.org/page-1860743) or PDF (http://clearweb.drivehq.com/podcast_transcripts/CLEAR_podcast_episode52_Universal_Licensing_Recognition _041222_transcript.pdf)
Al Carter, executive director of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy, discusses the report from NABP's work group to consider extending waivers that were issued during the pandemic. He shares how the work group evaluated policy changes into three categories: what should be looked at for permanent consideration in all circumstances, what should be considered during special or unusual public health circumstances, and what should only be considered during declared emergencies. Hear how the pharmacy association evaluated policy changes, and join the discussion on CLEAR Communities (https://community.clearhq.org/) to share how your organization is evaluating pandemic policy changes moving forward. Transcript: html (https://www.clearhq.org/page-1860738) or PDF (http://clearweb.drivehq.com/podcast_transcripts/CLEAR_podcast_episode51_Evaluating_Pandemic_Changes _030822_transcript.pdf)
CLEAR is celebrating Episode 50 of our podcast! Listen as CLEAR presidents past and present take a look back at trends in professional regulation during 2021. Hear international perspectives on the following themes: Disciplining practitioners for COVID mis/disinformation, Mobility, DEI and discrimination in regulation, Reducing barriers to licensure, Licensure issues for veterans and military members, and Telepractice. And view the CLEAR Regulatory News blog summary of 2021 regulatory trends (https://www.clearhq.org/page-1860729). Transcript: html (https://www.clearhq.org/page-1860733) or PDF (http://clearweb.drivehq.com/podcast_transcripts/CLEAR_podcast_episode50_2021_Regulatory_Trends _020822_transcript.pdf)
The health regulatory colleges in British Columbia signed a declaration to cultural safety and humility with First Nations Health Authority partners, committing to strengthening relationships with Indigenous peoples and ensuring that culturally safe practices are embedded in the operations and proceedings of the colleges. Hear from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC about their journey of organizational transformation and addressing Indigenous-specific racism in healthcare. Heidi Oetter, Susan Prins, and Derek Puddester talk about education, diversified governance representation, a new standard of practice on cultural safety and humility, and a rebranding of the organization to reflect current values of Truth and Reconciliation. "We really recognize at this point that this is our problem to fix, not theirs. . . . Simply put: We must and we will respond to every single recommendation [from the 'In Plain Sight' report]." Transcript: html (https://www.clearhq.org/page-1860728) or PDF (http://clearweb.drivehq.com/podcast_transcripts/CLEAR_podcast_episode49_Cultural_Safety_Humility _011122_transcript.pdf)
Caroline Miller, Cathi Mietkiewicz, and Marc Spector speak from their perspectives from both the vendor side and the regulator side about the relationship between regulatory organizations and the vendor community. They talk about how technology is really embedded in all of the work that regulators do, so leveraging the expertise of the regulators and the vendors is important in order to be effective and efficient with solutions. They talk about challenges in how regulators and vendors approach the relationship and how they can move beyond that to have an honest conversation about what is achievable. Transcript: html (https://www.clearhq.org/page-1860726) or PDF (http://clearweb.drivehq.com/podcast_transcripts/CLEAR_podcast_episode48_Beyond_the_Contract _120721_transcript.pdf)
Sandy Greenberg and Marlon Brown talk about where regulatory organizations are with the diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. After providing some working definitions of DEI terminology, Sandy shares results from a recent survey of CLEAR stakeholders - asking where they rate DEI as a priority, what prompted their interest in DEI, how they are responding to the issue, what obstacles they're experiencing in implementing DEI-related initiatives, and what metrics they will use to measure success. Then, as a preview to topics at CLEAR's Winter Symposium, Marlon Brown shares some of the ongoing DEI initiatives, both internally and externally, at the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. Transcript: html (https://www.clearhq.org/page-1860725) or PDF (http://clearweb.drivehq.com/podcast_transcripts/CLEAR_podcast_episode47_DEI_Where_are_we _110921_transcript.pdf)
The Questions a Legislator Should Ask series is designed to provide important questions to be asked, as well as background information, to assist policymakers in their deliberation of proposed new professional regulation as well as revisions to current statutes. This series of online conversations, as well as the book on which it is based (order here: https://www.clearhq.org/page-1721424), can also be of value to legislative staff and regulators who may need to provide information to stakeholders. This podcast episode starts off the series by laying the groundwork about the authority to regulate professions and different terminology used in the regulatory world. Panelists then discuss the importance of several key questions legislators should consider when evaluating requests related to professional regulation: Is there a problem? Is there a problem that requires regulation? What alternatives to regulation of individuals can be considered? Listen to this podcast episode, then register for the November and December webinars in the series: https://www.clearhq.org/event-4468799. Transcript: html (https://www.clearhq.org/page-1860724) or PDF (http://clearweb.drivehq.com/podcast_transcripts/CLEAR_podcast_episode46_Questions_Legislator_Ask _101221_transcript.pdf)
Line Dempsey, chair of CLEAR's National Certified Investigator Training committee, talks with longtime NCIT instructors Mike Ferjak and Amigo Wade to share insights from their vast experience as investigators. The take-away: preparation is the key to success in investigations. Mike, Line, and Amigo share their stories from experience about the importance of being properly prepared and maintaining credibility. They stress the importance of knowing what tools are in your investigator tool box and knowing when to use them. Transcript: html (https://www.clearhq.org/page-1860720) or PDF (http://clearweb.drivehq.com/podcast_transcripts/CLEAR_podcast_episode45_Investigator_Insights_ 091421_transcript.pdf)
Kathy Parry, corporate energy expert and keynote speaker for CLEAR's 2021 Annual Educational Conference, talks about three phases on the resilience curve and the meaning of rubber band resilience. She offers some tips to help teams and organizations understand and manage their reactions to disruptive situations and some tips to help you make a plan to de-stress. Hear all of Kathy's insights and tips during the conference keynote session, “Rubber Band Resilience: How to Stretch without Snapping.” Thank you to Thentia for sponsoring the keynote session. Transcript: html (https://www.clearhq.org/page-1860717) or PDF (http://clearweb.drivehq.com/podcast_transcripts/CLEAR_podcast_episode44_Rubber_Band_Resilience_ 081021_transcript.pdf)
The UK Department of Health and Social Care has published proposed changes to healthcare regulation. How might this influence professional regulation in other jurisdictions? Mark Stobbs with the UK's Professional Standards Authority gives an overview of what the PSA does, including an annual report to Parliament on how each regulator is meeting the 18 Standards of Good Regulation. Richard Steinecke with Steinecke Maciura LeBlanc in Ontario talks about how the PSA has influenced professional regulation in Canada, including the establishment of oversight bodies, a competency-based nomination process for board and council members, and consolidation of some regulatory bodies under a uniform framework. Mark then discusses some of the current reform proposals, which aim to give all the regulators consistent legislative footing as well as more flexibility to make rules governing particular parts of their work. Richard share some thoughts about which proposals might be of most interest to Canadian regulators: regulators' ability to voluntarily delegate some of their activities to other regulators, perhaps a greater role in overseeing educational programs, the ability to administratively remove practitioners for incapacity or language fluency issues without a full discipline hearing, and an accepted outcomes approach to fitness to practice (discipline). Transcript: html (https://www.clearhq.org/page-1860713) or PDF (http://clearweb.drivehq.com/podcast_transcripts/CLEAR_podcast_episode43_UK_Proposals_Influence_ 071321_transcript.pdf)
Carla Caro with ACT and Rebecca Durcan with Steinecke Maciura LeBlanc explore how regulatory bodies consider and deal with criminal history or record among applicants for licensure. Carla shares results of an international survey about where regulatory bodies currently are regarding their consideration of criminal background in licensure decisions, showing a great deal of variation in what is considered, how far back they looked, and whether the criminal history was related to the license being sought. They discuss how regulatory organizations are taking a more nuanced look at good moral character requirements and whether they're placing too much weight on criminal history and considering how to balance public protection with providing fair opportunities for employment. They suggest engaging your board, legal counsel, and staff in a proactive and systematic review of policies so that you can develop approaches that balance the public protection mandate with things that are relevant and proportionate to the level of risk and nature of the offense, creating decision processes that are less subject to implicit bias or impacts that may have resulted from systemic bias in the criminal justice system. Are the requirements meeting the intent, and, if not, how can we modify or eliminate them? study that Rebecca refers to: “Rethinking the Character and Fitness Inquiry” by Leslie Levin of University of Connecticut School of Law (2014). https://opencommons.uconn.edu/law_papers/125/ Transcript: html (https://www.clearhq.org/page-1860709) or PDF (http://clearweb.drivehq.com/podcast_transcripts/CLEAR_podcast_episode42_Criminal_History_Licensure_ 060821_transcript.pdf)
Sarah Blackmore with Social Work England shares the journey and progress of establishing a new specialist social work regulator in England, including consultation and development of professional standards, a focus on dialog and collaboration with all stakeholders in the sector--social workers, student social workers, academics and those with lived experience of social work, and development of education and training standards with a focus on ensuring that people who use social work services are engaged at every point. She talks about how SWE is looking at the whole of the professional journey from student to consultant practitioner or leadership pathway, with an aim to clarify and streamline the options and expectations, as well as establishing a way to recognize the increasing sophistication of social work practice. She also discusses the goals of working internally as an organization and collectively with the sector to address discrimination and disadvantage--ensuring inclusivity in social work courses; reviewing anti-discriminatory practice training; and creating equality, diversity and inclusion steering groups. Transcript: html (https://www.clearhq.org/page-1860707) or PDF (http://clearweb.drivehq.com/podcast_transcripts/CLEAR_podcast_episode41_Journey_New_Regulator_051121_ transcript.pdf) Other resources mentioned: SWE blog: https://www.socialworkengland.org.uk/news/my-story-as-a-chinese-british-social-worker-during-covid-19/ Social Work in England annual report: https://www.socialworkengland.org.uk/about/what-we-do/publications/social-work-in-england-first-reflections/
This episode of the CLEAR podcast celebrates the important contribution of long-time CLEAR Exam Review editorial board members Steve Nettles and Jim Zukowski. Steve and Jim just stepped down from a tenure of 26+ years with CER, so who better to give some perspective on the testing industry through the years. Steve and Jim talk about changes, innovations and challenges they've seen in the testing industry - when credentialing programs began to accept and comply with the Uniform Guidelines for employment testing, use of computers for item-banking, the advancement of passing score studies, the move to computer-based testing and innovative items, and the challenge of cheating becoming more technologically sophisticated as well. CLEAR thanks Steve and Jim for their time and expertise over the years to bring timely and relevant information to the CLEAR Exam Review readership. Transcript: html (https://www.clearhq.org/page-1860706) or PDF (http://clearweb.drivehq.com/podcast_transcripts/CLEAR_podcast_episode40_CER_Retrospective_041321_ transcript.pdf)
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