About the Centralized Credentials Verification Service

Act 1066 of 1995 created the Arkansas State Medical Board's Centralized Credentials Verification Service (CCVS). Arkansas was first in the nation to base a Centralized Credentials Verification Service within the licensing agency. State law allows the Arkansas State Medical Board to release, with a practitioner's written authorization, verification of credentials as needed by credentialing/healthcare organizations. Information furnished by the Medical Board to a credentialing/healthcare organization shall be used solely for the purpose of verifying, issuing, and renewing credentials.

Act 1410 of 1999 replaced Act 1066. The act mandates that credentialing/healthcare organizations, along with physicians, utilize the CCVS program. However, this mandate will not be effective until the program:

1. receives certification by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) as a certified credentials verification organization (CVO);


2. demonstrates compliance with the principles for credentials verification organizations set forth by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations; and


3. documents compliance with the Arkansas Department of Health Rules and Regulations applicable to credentialing.

1993The Arkansas Health Resources Commission recommended to the state legislature that a comprehensive credentials verification service be based in the State Medical Board. The Commissioners were of the opinion that the Medical Board, which is the entity already charged with collecting and verifying items needed for medical licensure in Arkansas, would be able to build on existing procedures and obtain many of the additional items needed by healthcare organizations for credentialing physicians. The intent was to reduce or eliminate the physicians’ need to provide their credentials over and over again to different organizations by mandating that those organizations obtain their credentialing information from the Medical Board.

1995 Act 1066 created the Board’s Centralized Credentials Verification Service (CCVS), making Arkansas the first state in the nation to base a credentials verification organization within a state licensing agency.

1999 Act 1410 replaced Act 1066, mandating physicians, clinics, hospitals or other healthcare organizations, insurere or health maintenance organizations or all other organizations credentialing physicians in Arkansas to use the CCVS to obtain credentialing information once NCQA certification could be achieved.

2001 CCVS becomes an NCQA certified credentials verification organization in all eight of the eight requested elements. This certification has been maintained through four subsequent (biennial) recertification surveys.

2002 Effective January 1, 2002, all organizations credentialing physicians in Arkansas were required to be in compliance with the CCVS mandate.

2010 CCVS continues its mission to provide high quality credentialing and related services to all health care providers, enabling them to devote their time and efforts to the deliver of quality care in the community.

The Arkansas State Medical Board is charged by the General Assembly to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the people of the State of Arkansas with the goal that all citizens are provided with the highest quality health care. The Arkansas State Medical Board was established by the Medical Practices Act, Act 65 of 1955 and Act 289 of 1957 from which the Board is empowered to license and regulate the practice of medicine. In 1971, the Arkansas Osteopathic Board was abolished and the Arkansas State Medical Board assumed its licensing and regulatory duties. Since then, the Medical Board has assumed the licensing regulatory responsibilities for other allied health professions, including Occupational Therapists, Respiratory Therapists, Physician Assistants and Radiologist Assistants.

The Medical Board consists of fourteen members appointed by the Governor for six-year terms. Ten members, appointed upon the recommendation of the Arkansas Medical Society, are duly qualified, licensed, and active medical practitioners: two members appointed from each of the four congressional districts and two members are appointed at large. One member, appointed upon the recommendation of the Arkansas Osteopathic Medical Association (AOMA), is a duly qualified, licensed active practitioner of osteopathy. One member is a licensed practicing physician appointed upon the recommendation of the Physicians' Section of the Arkansas Medical, Dental and Pharmaceutical Association (AMDPA). Two citizen members are not actively engaged in or retired from the practice of medicine: one represents consumers and one is 60 years of age or older and represents the elderly. These two positions are full voting members and may not be held by the same person.

The Board is comprised of the following individuals:

Edward "Ward" Gardner, M.D., Chairman
Don R. Phillips, M.D., Vice Chairman
Veryl D. Hodges, D.O., Secretary
John H. Scribner, M.D., Treasurer
Mrs. Elizabeth Anderson
Michael J. Birrer, M.D.
Christopher D. Davis, PA
Rodney Griffin, M.D.
Ms. Betty Guhman
C. Wesley Kluck Jr., M.D.
Brian L. McGee, M.D.
Timothy C. Paden, M.D.
Jonathan A. Reding, M.D.
Brad A. Thomas, M.D.