What you need to know about Emergency Licenses and their expiration periods
Many states have passed legislation allowing for providers to obtain emergency, temporary licenses. Here's what you need to know.
COVID-19 has undoubtedly caused unprecedented change to daily life and produced many uncertainties around how we should go about daily functions, like receiving medical care. At this time, many healthcare providers are looking for ways to extend their capacities and help as many people as possible. Telemedicine gives healthcare providers the power to break down access barriers and see more patients than previously possible.
Many states have passed legislation allowing for providers to obtain emergency, temporary licenses. Telemedicine providers can obtain these licenses faster than it would take to obtain a regular license, and quickly offer care to patients around the country. That being said, these emergency licenses are issued on a temporary basis and will expire in a much shorter amount of time than a regular license would.
Since many of these licenses will be expiring in the coming months (although subject to change), it likely makes sense for telemedicine providers to kick off the process of obtaining a regular license in tandem with their emergency license to ensure no lapse in care.
Below is a resource containing each of the states offering emergency licenses along with their expiration rule. While subject to change, we hope this helps provide a guideline for providers looking to obtain and manage their emergency licenses.
Emergency License Expirations
Alabama
Expires 120 days after the Start of Emergency ends or when the governor lifts the declaration.
Alaska
Expires September 1, 2020.
Arizona
Expires at the end of the State of Emergency.
Arkansas
Expires June 5, 2020.
Connecticut
Expires when the State of Emergency ends.
Florida
Expires May 5, 2020 or 30 days after the license has been issued, unless extended.
Idaho
Expires 120 days after the license is issued.
Illinois
Expires September 30, 2020.
Kansas
Expires 90 days after the license has been issued or 30 days after the State of Emergency ends.
Maine
Expires 100 days after the license has been issued or when the State of Emergency ends, whichever is sooner.
Maryland
Expires at the end of the State of Emergency.
Massachusetts
Expires at the end of the State of Emergency.
New Mexico
Expires July 1, 2020.
New York
Expires September 7, 2020.
Rhode Island
Expires 90 days after the license has been issued and can be renewed for another 90 days or more if all qualifications are met.
South Carolina
Expires 90 days after the license has been issued.
Tennessee
Expires May 18, 2020.
Texas
Expires 30 days after the license has been issued or when the State of Emergency ends, whichever is sooner.
Utah
The earlier of 180 days after the license has been issued or 30 days after the State of Emergency ends or after 10 days notice from the DOPL.
Washington
Varies based on need.
Wisconsin
Expires 30 days after the State of Emergency ends.
Wyoming
Expires September 30, 2020.
