The Silver Exchange: Operating a Global Testing Program
This session will discuss issues surrounding testing programs that operate on a global scale.  Topics will include content development, candidate registration, test administration, test translations (adaptation), and the experience of candidates coming from other countries to test.
Speakers: Casey Marks, Director, Testing Services, National Council of State Boards of Nursing
Chrystina Schillemore, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto
Anthony Zara, Vice President, Testing Services, Pearson VUE

The Silver Threads Among Standards of Practice, Essential Competencies, and Ethics
This presentation will provide an opportunity for participants to explore the silver threads that link a profession’s standards of practice (essential competencies) and code of ethics.  Complex are the linkages between standards of practice (competencies) that articulate expectations with respect to professional practice, and the code of ethics that delineates responsible conduct and the ethical and moral behavior of members of a profession.  Topics such as enforceability in the context of a regulatory body and/or a professional association will be examined, as well as the differences and similarities between standards (competencies) and a code of ethics.  Finally, there will be discussion regarding the notion that although ethics may be aspirational through their dissemination, they can become public expectations.
Speakers: Sharon Saberton, Registrar, College of Medical Radiation Technologists of Ontario
Tina Langlois, Complaints and Discipline Case Manager, College of Medical Radiation Technologists of Ontario
Chris Ward, President, Ward Health Strategies

Question and Answer Session with Opening Speaker Robert Sawyer

The Silver Lining in the Good Old Multiple Choice Question
This session will present and evaluate alternative multiple-choice question (MCQ) formats and uses.  Several presenters will discuss the pros and cons of alternative MCQ formats and make recommendations on their use or non-use.
Speakers: Mark Christensen, Director of Testing, National Board of Chiropractic Examiners
George Gray, Director, ACT, Inc.
Steven S. Nettles, Vice President, Research and Development, Applied Measurement Professionals
Carol Morrison, Associate Vice President, Scoring Services, National Board of Medical Examiners

A Silver Yardstick: Measuring Investigative Productivity
With a staff of 115 investigators and inspectors assigned throughout a relatively large state, a licensee population of well over a million, and an average annual case load of 3,000 investigations and 16,000 inspections, the Pennsylvania Bureau of Enforcement and Investigation had to devise a way to track the progress of its many activities.  Learn the method the Bureau developed to monitor its productivity and to communicate reliable and timely information about its activities to all stakeholders, including the licensing boards, the legislature, and management at all levels.
Speaker: Darrel S. Crimmins, Deputy Director, Pennsylvania Bureau of Enforcement and Investigation

Putting a Luster on a Good Testing Program 
Or, Now That My Exam Has Been Administered, How Can I Make It Shine?  This session will orient the audience to the kinds of post-examination administration information that can be used for self-audit and program improvements.  The audience will gain insight into the processes various programs use to collect data for program improvement, types of data collected, and how this data is analyzed and incorporated for program improvement.  This session will include presentations by both contractors and examination program directors.  The audience will be able to ask questions and present other strategies and auditing techniques.
Speakers: F. Jay Breyer, Managing Principal, Measurement, Thomson Prometric
Leon Smith, President and CEO, Professional Examination Service
Jim Zukowski, Executive Director, Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners
Barbara Showers, Director, Education and Examinations, Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing

International Disciplinary Models
This session will explore, compare, and contrast the regulation of health professions in the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, and Taiwan.  Disciplinary procedures, fitness to practice, and overall enforcement will be the focal points of the session.  We warmly welcome our international visitors and are eager to learn and exchange information with them.
Speakers: Jonathan Bracken, Chief Legal Advisor, UK Health Professions Council
Hsiu-Hung Wang, Deputy Minister, Department of Health, the Executive Yuan, Taiwan
Shwu-Feng Tsay, Deputy Director-General, Bureau of Nursing and Health Care, Department of Health, the Executive Yaun, Taiwan
Eugene Donoghue, CEO, An Bord Altranais, Irish Board of Nursing

Investigator Roundtable
Focusing on identity fraud and criminal background checks, the investigator roundtable provides attendees with timely information in an informal setting.  Opportunity for questions and answers is guaranteed.
Moderators: Earnest Atkins, Investigator-in-Charge, Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, Criminal Investigation Section
Jim Guffey, Consultant

Sterling Practices in Design and Scoring of Performance-Based Exams
This session will provide guidelines based on practical experiences to create and score fair, consistent, and accurate performance-based examinations.  Examples will include healthcare, building trades, veterinary medicine, and design sciences such as engineering and architecture.
Speakers: F. Jay Breyer, Managing Principal, Measurement, Thomson Prometric
Ron Bridwell, Technical Assistant, National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying
Elizabeth Witt, Senior Statistician, American Board of Emergency Medicine
Ron Rodgers, President, CTS/Employment Research Institute
Beth Sabin, Assistant Director, American Veterinary Medical Association
Handout

On the Silver Screen - A CLEAR Journey, Act I: From Complaint to Adjudication
Utilizing real life case examples, this session will examine the best practices in processing a complaint from intake through the adjudication process.  Role-plays will demonstrate the models and tools utilized by different regulatory entities in conducting the investigation, determining probable cause, and conducting the administrative hearing.  How do agencies handle requests for continuances and what tools have proven to be effective for timely processing of the case?  What is the role of the respective “players” – the investigator, staff attorney, administrative law judge, regulatory board?   What constitutes sufficient evidence in a disciplinary hearing, and which entity has the burden of proof?  Participants will be encouraged to share their experiences, challenges, and solutions.
Role Players: Earnest Atkins, Investigator-in-Charge, Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, Criminal Investigation Section (investigator)
Jeanne Galvin, Assistant Attorney General, Office of the Arizona Attorney General (attorney)
Brenda McKenzie, Associate Registrar, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Alberta (complainant)
Jeff Messing, Esquire, Santin Poli & Ball PLC (hearing officer/administrative law judge)
J. R. Rittenhouse, Manager, Arizona Supreme Court, Administrative Office of the Courts (probable cause panelist)
Nancy Swetnam, Director, Certification and Licensing Division, Arizona Supreme Court (director)

Legal Issues Roundtable
This roundtable will offer participants representing all roles of the licensing community an opportunity to discuss legal issues relevant to the work of the professional licensing board/college.  Topics will include a number of current and emerging legal issues of interest.
Moderators: Ruby Brice McClain, Assistant Deputy Director, Office of Health Related Professions, South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation
Chris Winters, Senior Legal Counsel, Vermont Office of Professional Regulation, Secretary of State's Office
David Monahan, Assistant Attorney General, Office of the Attorney General, Massachusetts

One Size Does Not Fit All: Case Studies for ADA in the 21st Century
Many licensing and certification boards and agencies in the United States and Canada now use a variety of testing formats to assess competency, including multiple-choice paper-and-pencil and/or computer-based examinations and various types of performance assessments such as simulations, standardized patient examinations, OSCEs, and other types of “authentic assessments.”  Case studies of actual ADA test accommodations experiences will be used to highlight the application of different types of accommodations to testing formats most commonly used by members.  The session will also present best practices for arranging and ensuring implementation of accommodations at the test center for the various testing formats.
Speakers: Fae Mellichamp, Senior Psychometrician, Professional Testing, Inc.
J. Abram Doane, Manager, Disability Services, National Board of Medical Examiners
Elizabeth Witt, Senior Statistician, American Board of Emergency Medicine

On the Silver Screen - A CLEAR Journey, Act II: The Decision
This interactive session will utilize a case example to discuss various models of decision-making in professional discipline.  What process do regulatory entities utilize to make the final decision regarding a complaint alleging misconduct?  How do the entities handle issues such as conflicts of interest, due process rights, mitigating and aggravating factors, and proportionality of sanctions?  Who has the authority to impose sanctions?  Participants will be encouraged to share their experiences, challenges, and solutions. Role Players: Earnest Atkins, Investigator-in-Charge, Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, Criminal Investigation Section (investigator)
Jacque Bauer, Investigator, Arizona Supreme Court, Administrative Office of the Courts (certificate holder)
Mary Cranny-Paul, R.N., Tucson, Arizona (board member)
Roger E. Hartley, University of Arizona – Public Administration (board member and presenter)
Donna Kline, Director, Professional Standards, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Alberta (board member)
Brenda McKenzie, Associate Registrar, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Alberta (board member)
J. Ward Sturm, Esquire, Community Legal Services (board member)

Health Issues Roundtable
Are overlapping scopes of practice affecting your licensees? Are emerging roles and responsibilities in the different health professions causing confusion? Who can delegate what to whom? This lively discussion will look at the roles of EMT's, massage therapists, medication aides and assistants, personal trainers vs. athletic trainers, and other, unlicensed personnel. Participants will also discuss issues surrounding emergency preparedness. Who is qualified to help in a disaster? Are there liabilities associated with volunteering for disasters? Are license checks essential in a disaster?  Who supervises the volunteers? Is any warm body better than no body?  Other table topics may include: the flu epidemic, are we prepared?; Credentials across borders; Language barriers to licensure in the US; and Should discipline in one profession affect licensure in another profession?  Please join us for a lively table discussion. Bring your questions and concerns also.
Moderators: Donna Mooney, Director of Discipline, North Carolina Board of Nursing
Jon Pellett, Barr, Murman, Tonelli, Slother & Sleet

Privacy Issues in the 21st Century
This free-flowing early bird session will feature snapshot presentations on issues linked to privacy and how they increasingly impact the work of professional and occupational regulators. Attendees will be encouraged to engage in discussion following presentations on the following topics: use of social security numbers; information available to the public; protecting privacy with small cohorts; biometrics and ID - the limitations; and the view from Europe.
Speakers: Jonathan Bracken, Chief Legal Advisor, UK Health Professions Council
Bob Nebiker, Director, Virginia Department of Health Professions
Ron Rodgers, President, CTS/Employment Research Institute
Mark Poole, Manager, Pearson VUE

Sterling Examples of Simulations and OSCEs
Ever increasing labor shortages in many parts of the world have created pressures to hasten the immigration of foreign workers, sometimes without an understanding of the consequences.  This surge in workforce mobility across borders presents many challenges and ethical dilemmas for employers and regulatory entities in the receiving or host country.  The question is: what responsibilities do employers and regulatory agencies have in the host country to establish frameworks for hiring and licensure/registration which address the challenges and ethical dilemmas associated with the depletion of professional expertise in the providing country, unfair practices used by some recruiters, the assimilation of foreign workers into the local community, and other important issues?  This session will highlight these issues, challenge participants to face the existence and consequences of these issues, and hopefully stimulate dialogue and action within the regulatory community to address and find solutions for these important problems.
Speakers: Introduction
Sydney Smee, Manager, MCCQE Part II, Evaluation Bureau, Medical Council of Canada
Richard E. Hawkins, Deputy Vice President, Assessment Programs, National Board of Medical Examiners
Jeff Kelley, Program Director, Applied Measurement Professionals
Carol O'Byrne, Manager, Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada Qualifying Examination - Part II (OSCE)

Criminal Prosecution of Licensed Professionals?
Of increasing concern to health professionals and others is the use of criminal prosecutions against them for professional services or treatment rendered in their practices.  Concerns include the mere fact of criminal prosecution for acts undertaken in the course of professional practice and the application of misguided standards in selecting cases for prosecution and in court.  The intimidation factor for patients, clients, and practitioners is another major concern.
Speakers: A. Bates Butler III, Fennemore Craig PC, former US Attorney, Arizona
Bill Marcus, Deputy Attorney General and Administrative Law Judge, California (retired), Assistant Clinical Professor, UCSD School of Pharmacy

Central Agency Roundtable
This roundtable offers an opportunity for attendees to participate in an open dialogue regarding issues affecting Central Agency Administrators.  This year's roundtable will look at best practices in several areas including the Citation Programs in Massachusetts and Arizona and working with vendors who provide licensing and examination services.
Moderator: Rosemary McCool, Division Director, Division of Registrations, Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies

Silver Threads of Wisdom: The Experts Respond to Your Questions
This interactive session is designed for conference participants to ask practical questions of current interest. After 25 years, you would think that psychometricians would have all the answers.  Well, think again!  This three-day CLEAR conference has included sessions about examinations, administration, security, and regulation but cannot answer all your practical questions about testing.  What is the best way to set a passing score?  What can my board do about brain-dump sites?  In the past 25 years of regulation, testing has changed, and the issues and questions raised by board members have also evolved.  Participants will see what issues are new and what issues still create challenges for boards and regulatory authorities.  Inside your registration packet will be a brief list of potential hot topics of interest. Check off your questions of interest, write and add your own burning questions, and then return the survey form to the CLEAR registration desk.  Feel free to bring your questions to the session and we will discuss in an open style, interactive format.
Speakers: Sandy Greenberg, Vice President for Research and Development, Professional Examination Service
Grady Colson Barnhill, Director of Recertification and Professional Assessment, Commission on Dietetic Registration

Remediation: When Is It Gold?
This presentation will demonstrate how integrating remediation responses into regulatory processes can provide an effective alternative to disciplinary action, particularly when the root cause of the issue is competency based.  The presentation will demonstrate and expand upon the philosophy of competency assurance based solutions as a meaningful way to regulate in the public interest.  It will also demonstrate how collaboration between the member and the regulatory body builds trust within the relationship.  Participants will learn how to set up processes that allow for effective internal collaboration between the regulator’s continuing competence programs and the enforcement function.
Speakers: Nora MacLeod-Glover, Manager, Continuing Competency Programs, Ontario College of Pharmacists
Claudia Skolnik, Manager, Investigations and Resolutions, Ontario College of Pharmacists

International Roundtable
This roundtable will provide an opportunity for participants to further explore concepts raised by conference speakers on the issues of ethics and labor mobility, determining substantial equivalency of education and experience related to entry to practice requirements, and the challenging task of ensuring authenticity of credential documents.  The focus will be on participants’ interests and concerns related to issues raised in the sessions, and experiences will be shared.  Speakers from earlier sessions will be asked to participate.
Moderator: Jan Robinson, Registrar, College of Physiotherapists of Ontario

Calling All Board Members
Board members, staff, and attorneys are invited to this interactive roundtable discussion. Bring your questions and we will endeavor to answer them in this lively session.