R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-54-10: Registration based on previous practice.

The board shall recommend to the director for registration as a physician assistant an applicant who:

(1) Is employed in this state as a physician assistant on July 1, 1982, and has successfully passed the national qualifying exam prior to July 1, 1982;

(2) No person shall represent himself or herself or be registered as a physician assistant after July 1, 1982, unless he or she has passed the certifying examination approved by the board in § 5-54-9(3); and

(3) Submitted a completed application with the application fee.