May Regulatory Update

Here is our monthly regulatory update. See below for changes from several states introducing legislation. A big thanks to our compliance team, who monitors state, federal, and international updates. 

Arizona: 

Legislation to join the APRN Compact has passed the Senate as of 4/26/2023 and is currently being considered in the House.

AZ SB1334

Iowa: 

Iowa Board of Nursing & Other State Nursing Boards React to the Fake Diploma Scheme

The Iowa Board of Nursing has partnered with other boards of nursing, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, and federal law enforcement authorities, as appropriate, to detect, investigate, and resolve these allegations of diploma and credential fraud.

Publication of Notice – Operation Nightingale

Oregon: 

The Oregon Medical Board has proposed a new rule to add “license denials” as a class of cases exempt from the 90-day timeline requirements. Currently the Board is required to issue a final order within 90 days of the amended or proposed orders. This new rule would allow a longer timeline due to board meeting schedules and the complexity of license denial cases. 

Rule Amendment Proposal

Pennsylvania: 

Pennsylvania has proposed legislation which will require Medicaid providers to use either National Provider Identification or State Provider Identification number. If passed, any provider which seeks to operate in the Medicaid program must use either an NPI or register for SPI. The Department of Human Services would be required to establish a standardized program for any company which lacks an NPI and must register for provider identification with the state. This training program would teach providers how to submit claims for reimbursement from Medicaid. 

PA HB 876

HB 590 has been introduced to amend The Professional Nursing Law of 1951, to add a subsection to the Examinations and Certificates section. This amendment would shorten the licensing delay between the completion of educational requirements and sitting for the state nursing board examination by removing the requirement of additional board review of completed education of an approved nursing program.

PA HB 590

Washington:

On April 21, 2023, Governor Jay Inslee signed the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) into law. The compact allows registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical/vocational nurses (LPN/VNs) to have one multistate license, with the ability to practice in person or via telehealth, in both their home state/territory and other NLC states.

Washington Enacts Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)

Wisconsin: 

The pandemic provision that allowed licensed health care professionals to work in Wisconsin without a permanent Wisconsin license will end on May 10, 2023. Anyone currently practicing under an Act 10 temporary license will need to file an application for a permanent license by May 10, 2023. Act 10 credentials will remain active for those who have filed a complete application for permanent licensure. All other Act 10 licenses will expire on May 10, 2023. 

Temporary “Act 10” licenses will remain available for practitioners to obtain pending the issuance of a permanent license. Applicants will need to apply for the “Act 10” license when they apply for a permanent license.

National Emergency Ending, DSPS to Continue Offering Temporary Health Care Licenses

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