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2022 SESSION


CHAPTER 463
An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 54.1-2408.4, relating to out-of-state health care practitioners; temporary authorization to practice pending licensure; licensure by reciprocity for physicians; emergency.
[H 1187]
Approved April 11, 2022

 

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 54.1-2408.4 as follows:

§ 54.1-2408.4. Temporary authorization to practice.

A. A health care practitioner licensed, certified, or registered in another state or the District of Columbia may temporarily practice for one 90-day period, provided that the following conditions are met:

1. The practitioner is contracted by or has received an offer of employment in the Commonwealth from a licensed hospital, a nursing home, a dialysis facility, the Department of Health, or a local health department;

2. The employer or contractor verifies that the out-of-state health care provider possesses an active and unencumbered license, certification, or registration for the profession in which he will be employed or contracted in another state or the District of Columbia;

3. The employer or contractor obtains a report from the National Practitioner Data Bank if the applicant is subject to reporting; and

4. Prior to the out-of-state health care practitioner's practicing, the employer or contractor notifies the appropriate health regulatory board that the out-of-state health care practitioner is employed or under contract and will practice under the temporary authorization. This notice shall include the out-of-state health care practitioner's out-of-state license, certification, or registration number and a statement that such practitioner meets all of the requirements set forth in this section.

B. If the health care practitioner practicing with a temporary authorization has submitted an application for licensure, certification, or registration, the applicable health regulatory board shall expedite such applications for out-of-state health care practitioners practicing pursuant to this section. If licensure, certification, or registration remains pending after the initial 90-day temporary authorization, the authorization may be extended for an additional 60 days, provided that the employer or contractor submits notice to the applicable health regulatory board.

C. Out-of-state health care practitioners practicing pursuant to this section shall be subject to the laws and regulations of the Commonwealth and shall be subject to disciplinary action by the applicable health regulatory board.

2. That the Board of Medicine shall pursue reciprocity agreements with jurisdictions that surround the Commonwealth to streamline the application process in order to facilitate the practice of medicine. Such agreements shall include a provision that, as a requirement for reciprocal licensure, the applicant shall not be the subject of any pending disciplinary actions in the reciprocal jurisdiction. The Board of Medicine shall grant a license by reciprocity to a physician who meets the requirements for licensure by reciprocity within 20 days of receipt of an application that complies with the criteria established in the applicable reciprocity agreement and in an expedited manner consistent with the Commonwealth's reciprocal agreements with each surrounding jurisdiction.

3. That the Department of Health Professions shall, beginning July 1, 2023, annually report to the Chairmen of the Senate Committee on Education and Health and the House Committee on Health, Welfare and Institutions the number of out-of-state health care practitioners who have utilized the temporary authorization to practice pending licensure and have not subsequently been issued full licensure.

4. That an emergency exists and this act is in force from its passage.