Over the last few weeks, state governors and governmental authorities (including state boards of medicine) have issued orders and guidance permitting temporary out-of-state licensure for physicians in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In Pennsylvania, Gov. Tom Wolf has permitted the PA Department of State to expedite temporary licensure to out-of-state physicians for the duration of the COVID-19 emergency. The application for temporary licensure for out-of-state physicians can be found here: PA Temporary License Application. For additional details, please see the Guidance/Order from the PA Department of State.

Note that physicians operating under and/or intending to obtain temporary licensure in another state should secure appropriate malpractice insurance in that state.

Links to temporary licensure applications and/or guidance from Pennsylvania’s neighboring states can be found below:

Delaware

• DE Temporary License Application

Maryland

• MD Executive Order – No application for temporary licensure is necessary.

New York

• NY Executive Order – No application for temporary licensure is necessary.

New Jersey 

• NJ Temporary Emergency License for Out-of-State Practitioners

Ohio

• OH Board of Medicine Action on Emergency Licensure – Note that as of April 4, 2020, this order from the OH Board of Medicine is the current authority in Ohio on temporary licensure for out-of-state physicians. The Board’s language therein with regard to emergency licensure for physicians is vague and does not establish an application for out-of-state applicant’s emergency licensure. Additional guidance may be forthcoming.

West Virginia

• WV Out of State Licensed Medical Doctor Registration

If you have any questions regarding temporary out-of-state physician licensure and the corresponding risks and implications of obtaining such during the COVID-19vpandemic, please do not contact any member of Fox Rothschild's national Health Law Practice.