(a) As used in this section:
(1) “Maintenance of certification” means any process requiring periodic recertification examinations or other activities to maintain specialty medical certification; and
(2) “Specialty medical board certification” means a certification by a board that:
(A) Specializes in one (1) particular area of medicine; and
(B) Typically requires examinations that are in addition to the requirements of the Arkansas State Medical Board to practice medicine.
(b)
(1) Except as required by medical staff bylaws of a hospital, a hospital licensed by the Department of Health shall not deny physician hospital staff or admitting privileges or employment based solely on the absence of maintenance of certification.
(2) Subdivision (b)(1) of this section does not prevent a hospital from requiring physicians to undergo remedial or corrective courses or training as required by a quality improvement committee.