Georgia’s Professional Licensing Boards Approve Temporary Practice Permits for Healthcare Providers in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic
In response to the public health emergency posed by the novel coronavirus, several of Georgia’s licensing boards have been authorized to issue “emergency practice permits” allowing healthcare professionals to practice in Georgia for a limited amount of time. Interested healthcare professionals are encouraged to review the following information and to contact their respective licensing boards as indicated below. Our team of lawyers at Levy Pruett Cullen is working remotely and monitoring the rapidly evolving pandemic. Please check our website for updates and call with any questions: 404-371-8857.
Georgia Composite Medical Board
Following the Governor’s March 14th declaration of a public health emergency, the Georgia Composite Medical Board may approve and issue “emergency practice permits” to physicians, physician assistants, advanced practice registered nurses, and respiratory care professionals who wish to practice medicine in Georgia during the current COVID-19crisis.
Before practicing medicine in Georgia pursuant to an emergency practice permit, the applicant must receive the Board’s approval of the following:
An application for an emergency practice permit (see link below).
Proof of current and unrestricted licensure in another state.
Copy of a valid government-issued photo ID, and
A current National Practitioner’s Data Bank Report.
All permits issued under this provision shall be valid for 90 days or until the state of emergency has been lifted by Georgia’s governor, whichever comes first.
Information for submitting an application, as well as the permit application itself, is available at https://medicalboard.georgia.gov/press-releases/2020-03-16/gcmb-emergency-practice-permittemp-license-response-covid-19.
Georgia Board of Nursing
Following the Governor’s March 14th declaration of a public health emergency, the Georgia Board of Nursing is authorized to issue temporary permits to licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, and advanced practice registered nurses who have an active, unencumbered license in any other U.S. jurisdiction who are coming to Georgia to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Temporary permits issued by the Georgia Board of Nursing are valid for 30 days, though the Board is authorized to extend the expiration date. This policy is effective while a State of Emergency, as declared by the Governor, exists in any Georgia county or until rescinded by the Board, whichever occurs first. Application fees for the temporary permit are waived for those applying to practice in response to the COVID-19 emergency.
Additional information and the permit application are available at https://sos.ga.gov/index.php/licensing/plb/45/emergency_temporary_permits.
Finally, Georgia is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, which allows licensed practical nurses and registered nurses with a multi-state license from another Compact jurisdiction to practice in Georgia.
Georgia Board of Pharmacy
Following the Governor’s March 14th declaration of a public health emergency, the Georgia Board of Pharmacy is authorized to issue temporary licenses to dispense prescription drugs for pharmacists who are not licensed in Georgia but are currently licensed in another state. A temporary license may be issued if (1) the Board can verify the applicant’s current licensure is in good standing with the state or indirectly via a third-party verification system and (2) the applicant is engaged in a documented COVID-19 relief effort.
The Board is also authorized to issue temporary licenses for pharmacy technicians and pharmacy interns to assist pharmacists in dispensing prescription drugs in response to the COVID-19 emergency. Pharmacy technicians and pharmacy interns applying must also be currently registered or licensed in good standing in another state.
The temporary recognition of non-resident pharmacist licensure and pharmacy intern licensure shall remain valid until the end of the month following the third board meeting conducted after the license is issued and shall not be renewed. The temporary recognition of non-resident pharmacy technician registration shall cease when the state of emergency is lifted.
Additional information from the Georgia Board of Pharmacy and permit applications are available at https://gbp.georgia.gov/press-releases/2020-03-17/covid-19-coronavirus-response-georgia-board-pharmacy.