COVID-19: Update to Licensing Regulations

On March 18, 2020, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a regulation that will soon allow clinicians to practice across state lines. This means, a medical professional who carries an active license from any state in the United States can use that license to practice in any other state.

HOWEVER, due to the recency of this announcement, it will take time to go into effect. This is a very exciting and welcome change from the government that will enable all clinicians to go where their services are needed most. We are actively speaking with our hospital partners and as soon as they say they will start to accept applications, we will let you know. Please read the job details on each Nomad job page before applying to see if that job is accepting out-of-state applications to prevent your application from being automatically closed.

The main reason why this regulation cannot be immediately enacted nationwide is that each state must individually apply for and opt-in to enact this policy.

States Must Opt-In on the State Level

According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), states must request and apply directly with the CMS for a licensure waiver to enact this regulation. State governors will be able to submit a 1135 waiver that permits out-of-state providers to render services within their state without the need for a license from that state.

This waiver may also include the ability to temporarily suspend certain provider enrollment and revalidation requirements, allow providers to provide care in alternative settings, and waive prior authorization requirements, among other flexibilities.

States Currently Opted-In

Currently 48 states have been granted Section 1135 approval letters by the CMS. Letters will be posted here by the CMS as they are issued.

NCSBN has compiled information compiled information about emergency action by states. We highly recommend referencing that document for any questions you have about state licensing as NCSBN keeps that document up to date (just refresh!).

States with Section 1135 Approval (as of 4/15/2020):

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wyoming

We will continue to update this list as more states are approved. Please keep in mind, it will take time for each state to apply for and be approved by the CMS. It will also take additional time for each facility to begin accepting applications from out-of-state providers. We will update our job postings when we have confirmation from each of our hospital partners that they are accepting out-of-state applications.

This list operates in tandem with the current eNLC states which already allows nurses with compact licenses to practice in participating states. There are also a number of states allowing for temporary licenses. These are licenses that any nurse can apply for that are usually granted within a few days. Please contact the corresponding board of nursing for more information.

For any questions or further support, reach out to your Nomad Navigators or call 866-OK-NOMAD.

Stay safe,

The Nomad Team
nomadhealth.com

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