Compliance Update: Sep. 29, 2021

FEDERAL

NPDB

10/1/2021:  Beginning October 1, 2021, the cost of a 1-year enrollment in Continuous Query will be $2.50. A One-Time Query will also be $2.50. Both are being increased from their current price of $2.00.  Source: NPDB Insights

BOARD OF PHARMACY

California

08/02/2021:

-The California Pharmacy Law Update 2021 Edition, a free continuing education webinar from the Board of Pharmacy, is now available for viewing online. A Board regulation requires pharmacists to earn two hours of continuing education credit for license renewal by completing law and ethics training provided by the Board. In addition to the law webinar, an ethics webinar is available for viewing on the Board’s website.

-Gov. Gavin Newsom declared states of emergency due to fires on July 16, 2021, in Siskiyou, Lassen, Plumas counties; and July 23 in Plumas, Butte, Lassen, and Alpine counties. The Board issued alerts reminding licensees of provisions in Business and Professions Code section 4062 and section 4064 intended to help pharmacists provide prescription drugs for residents displaced because of emergency evacuation.  Source:  News Release

Florida

08/13/2021:  Gov. DeSantis declares State of Emergency in FL for Tropical Depression Fred – a pharmacist may dispense up to a 30-day supply in the areas or counties affected by the order.  Source: Latest News

09/01/2021:  Topical Ocular Pharmaceutical Agents added to Formulary.  Source: Latest News

Idaho

09/10/2021:  Any healthcare professional may provide telehealth services in or into Idaho, so long as the healthcare professional is licensed or registered and in good standing with another U.S. state or jurisdiction and acting in good faith.  Source: Guidance

Iowa

08/11/2021:  ARC 5820C has been filed by emergency action, adopted by the Board at its meeting on July 14, 2021, and amended Chapter 3, “Pharmacy Technicians.” The rule identifies the minimum requirements for pharmacy technicians to engage in vaccine administration when delegated by a supervising pharmacist. The rulemaking became effective July 15, 2021.  Source:  Iowa Administrative Bulletin

08/17/2021:  The registration fee for all certified pharmacy technicians will be prorated based on the amount of time between the application date and the expiration date of the technician’s underlying national technician certification. Online technician registration applications implemented the prorated fee structure on July 23, 2021. Paper technician registration applications have now been updated.  Source:  Press Release

Kentucky

08/12/2021:  The Board has issued new regulations regarding administering and ordering vaccinations.  Source:  Emergency Regulation

Maryland

​​08/05/2021:  Order regarding personnel who may administer vaccines; vaccine eligibility; vaccine administration reporting requirements; facilities that require proof of vaccination status. (Amended Order).  Source: MDH No. 2021-08-05-01

Massachusetts

08/18/2021:  Any licenses that were due to expire between March 10, 2020, and September 15, 2021, must be renewed prior to September 15, 2021, or the license will expire.  Source: Updates

Mississippi

08/28/2021:  In the event that a pharmacist receives a request for a prescription refill and the pharmacist is unable to obtain refill authorization from the prescriber, the pharmacist may dispense a one-time emergency refill of the prescribed NON-CONTROLLED medication.  Source:  Resolution

Nebraska

08/26/2021:

-Pharmacy Tech licenses will have their expiration dates extended to 10/31/2021 and must be renewed by that date.

-Suspends the Continuing Competency/Continuing Education requirements for renewal for Pharmacy Techs.  Source:  Renewal Update

Wyoming

09/01/2021:

-A new sterile compounding inspection process will be implemented starting this current fiscal year (July 1, 2021-June 30, 2022).

-At the June 16-17, 2021 Board meeting, the Board recognized the National Coalition for Drug Quality & Security (NCDQS) Quality and Security (QAS) Accreditation Program.  Source:  Newsletter

BOARD OF NURSING

Arizona

07/22/2021:  Licensed Health Aide – The Arizona State Board of Nursing approved preliminary draft rules for stakeholder and public review and comment, prior to final Board approval and exempt final rulemaking.  Source: News and Events

Arkansas

07/29/2021:

-Allows the Board to issue RN temporary permits to LPNs who are in their final semester of a nursing program which leads to licensure as an RN. ACA§17-87- 307(a) and Rules Chapter 2, Section I(C).  Temporary RN Permits will only be valid during the declared State of Emergency.

-Allow students in their final semester of a nursing program to be certified as a Medication Assistant-Certified (MA-C).  Source: Updates

Delaware

08/04/2021:  APRNs are granted full practice authority upon licensure; therefore, collaborative agreements are no longer required.  Source: News

Florida

08/03/2021:  Nurse Licensure Compact: Multistate RN/LPN License Holders Can Work in Florida.  Source:  Latest News

Idaho

08/17/2021:

-The Board authorizes the Idaho Nurse Apprentice Program and the New Graduate Temporary License Program.

-Compact License: If you hold an active Multi-State License in good standing in any of the compact states you may practice in the state of Idaho without obtaining additional licensure.

-LPN & RN Endorsement: Endorsement means that a nurse has graduated from an approved nursing program, taken/passed the NCLEX or a state board exam and have been granted and holds an active unencumbered license in a U.S. State, Territory, or Commonwealth.  Source:  Press Release

Kentucky

08/18/2021:  The Cabinet for Health and Family Services authorized the Out-of-State Registry for Inpatient Hospital Services and Skilled Nursing Care.  Source:  Guidance

Maryland

08/18/2021:  Amended order regarding nursing home matters.  Source:  News Updates

Nebraska

08/26/2021:  Registered Nurses; Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM); Nurse Practitioners (NP); Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS); and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) licenses will have their expiration dates extended to 10/31/2021 and must be renewed by that date.  Source:  Renewal Update

New Hampshire

09/09/2021:  One license will be issued for an APRN regardless of the number of Specialty/Certification(s).  Specialty Certifications will be listed on your licensing Record and Verification Page.  Source: News

North Carolina

08/16/2021:  Guidance on administration of third doses of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines to certain immunocompromised patients.  Source:  Guidance

08/22/2021:  Guidance to S.L. 2021-110:  an act to authorize immunizing pharmacists to dispense, deliver, and administer certain treatment and medications.  Source:  Guidance

09/20/2021:  The North Carolina General Assembly has passed, and Governor Cooper has signed into law, legislation that authorizes qualified immunizing pharmacists to administer long-acting injectable medications to patients age 18 and older pursuant to prescription. This new authority becomes effective on October 1, 2021.  Source:  Guidance

Ohio

09/15/2021:  Effective September 30, 2021, HB 9 will prohibit retailers (including pharmacies) from selling, supplying, delivering, or giving a drug that contains dextromethorphan to a person under 18 years of age, unless the person has a prescription for the product.  Source: News Update

Oregon

08/10/2021:  New Rule Requires Workers in Health Care Settings to be Fully Vaccinated or Tested Weekly.  Source:  Updates

08/17/2021:  Updated OHA COVID-19 Vaccine Protocol: 3rd Dose mRNA Vaccines for Moderate to Severely Immunocompromised Individuals.  Source:  Updates

08/24/2021:  New Rule Clarifies that Pharmacies and their Patients Must Comply with Mask Mandates.  Source:  Updates

09/01/2021:

-Amended Rule Requires Workers in Healthcare Settings to be Fully Vaccinated.

-All Healthcare Providers Must Collect and Share REALD Information with OHA by 10/1/2021 for Healthcare Visits Related to COVID-19.  Source:  Updates

Wyoming

09/14/2021:  The Board has issued an advisory opinion regarding Monoclonal Antibody administration.  Source:  Advisory Opinion

BOARD OF MEDICINE

Alabama

08/11/2021:  Limited Protocol for APPs Practicing in Hospitals and Treating SARS-CoV-2 Patients.  Source: Press Release

08/25/2021:  Expedited Temporary Emergency Physician/Assistant to Physician Licenses.  Source:  Press Release 

Arkansas

07/29/2021:

-Board has the ability to license pending IMG applicants who are completing their 3rd year of U.S. Post Graduate Training outside of Arkansas. (source)

-Reinstate the policy to allow a one‐time waiver of the Regulation 2.4 requirement for a three-month in‐person visit in order to refill a patient’s pain medication. (source)

-PA applicants will not be required to submit letters of recommendation or proof of their Bachelor’s degree. (source)

-Board has the authority to grant a Temporary License for new RT graduates prior to examination. (source)

-Board has been allowed to process and license MD, DO, PA, and RT applicants while waiting to receive the Criminal Background Check results. (source)

Source:  Executive Order 21-14

Connecticut

08/16/2021:  Connecticut Department of Public Health is collaborating with hospitals and physician leaders across the state to establish COVID third dose guidelines.  Source:  Press Release

DC

09/07/2021:

-Licensees must have the single-dose Jansen COVID-19 vaccine, or at least one dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine by September 30, 2021, with the second dose of said vaccines obtained within the recommended time frames.  Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action against your license, including but not limited to suspension, revocation, or non-renewal of said license.

– Licensed professions must complete at least two (2) hours of continuing education on COVID-19 vaccines, including but not limited to COVID-19 vaccine safety, best practices for counseling patients about COVID-19 vaccines, and COVID-19 vaccine efficacy and effectiveness, on or before September 30, 2021.  Source:  Updates

Illinois

08/20/2021:  Reissue of executive orders have been extended to 09/18/2021.  Source:  Executive Order 2021-19

09/01/2021:  Allows Applicants for licensure as Professional Counselors and Clinical Professional Counselors to complete their live face-to-face supervision and education remotely, using real-time video as appropriate, rather than be on-site.  Source:  Variance

Iowa

09/17/2021:  No Iowa Medical License Required: A physician may practice medicine/telemedicine in Iowa without an Iowa medical license on a temporary basis to aid in the emergency if a physician holds at least one active medical license in another United State jurisdiction, and all medical licenses held by a physician in other United States jurisdictions are in good standing, without restrictions or conditions.  THIS PROVISION IS EXPECTED TO EXPIRE ON OCTOBER 17, 2021.  Source: Proclamation

Kansas

08/25/2021:  Temporary regulations have been issued regarding application for licensure.  Source:  K.A.R. 100-6-7

Louisiana

09/22/2021: 

-Guidance for Clinicians Caring for Individuals Recently Evacuated from Afghanistan.  Source:  Guidance

-Extending the expiration date of any license that expires on 8/31/2021, the date will be set to 9/30/2021.  Source: Updates

Maryland

09/02/2021:  Updated guidance has been issued regarding vaccine eligibility.  Source:  Bulletin

Massachusetts

08/05/2021:  The Emergency Temporary License is valid until December 31, 2021.  Source:  Policy 2020-05

Nebraska

08/26/2021:  Surgical First Assistants; Emergency Medical Responders (EMR); Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT); Advanced Emergency Medical Technicians (AEMT); Emergency Medical Technicians-Intermediate (EMT-I); Paramedics; Osteopathic Physicians; Surgeons (DO); Physicians (MD); Temporary Educational Permits (TEP); Physician Assistants (PA); and Acupuncturists licenses will have their expiration dates extended to 10/31/2021 and must be renewed by that date.  Source:  Renewal Update

Oklahoma

08/25/2021:  Allow for the issuance of Temporary Medical Doctor (MD), Physician Assistant (PA), and Respiratory Care Practitioner (RC) licenses for current holders of equivalent licenses in other U.S. States.  Source:  Emergency Rules

Oregon

08/20/2021:  Masking Requirements to Control COVID-19 in Health Care Settings.  Source:  Administrative Rules

09/01/2021:  All Oregon health care providers and health care staff must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or request an exemption by October 18, 2021.  Source:  Administrative Rules

Texas

09/08/2021:  Texas Officials Work to Launch Antibody Infusion Centers Across the State.  Source:  Announcements

Washington

Legislative Recap:

-House Bill 1129, concerning the licensure of International Medical Graduates (IMG), authorizes the WMC to issue limited licenses to IMGs and persons accepted for certain public and private institutions.

-Senate Bill 5423, which clarifies the exemptions in our statute (RCW 18.71.030), allows peer-to-peer consultation across state lines regarding the diagnosis or treatment of patients.

-Senate Bill 5229 adopts new standards for continuing medical education (CME). The bill requires that by January 1, 2024, DOH in consultation with WMC and other boards and commissions, adopt rules for CME programs to address bias, racism, poverty and other elements that manifest as health inequities.

Source:  Newsletter

Disclaimer: This information has been gathered from a variety of sources. Although Verisys has made every effort to provide complete, accurate, and up-to-date information, Verisys makes no warranties, express or implied, or representations as to the accuracy or reliability of this information. The information is fluid and evolving. Verisys assumes no liability or responsibility for any errors or omissions in the information contained in this resource. The information contained on this page comprises all the information that we found during those dates. It may not constitute a complete list of every regulation instituted by every board during the dates mentioned.