Temporary emergency licensure approved by governor

Posted on: 8/27/21

On Aug. 25, the governor approved the emergency rules of the Oklahoma Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision (OMBLS) addressing temporary critical need licensure for MDs, physical assistants, and respiratory therapists. There will still be a short application required but it will be expedited. For the rules from the OBMLS, please click here. The rules will be in effect until Sept. 14, 2022. 

The Oklahoma Board of Osteopathic Examiners has promulgated rules, which the governor has signed, for temporary licensure of DOs. The temporary license will expire Dec. 9. The link to the application for emergency temporary licensure of a DO can be found here.

Temporary emergency licensure of registered nurses is still being worked on by the Board of Nursing. However, the Board is still working hard on out-of-state licensees and with a complete application and no criminal background, licenses are being approved in four days. Also, any RN holding a multi-state license from another state may immediately come to Oklahoma and work here. For questions on licensing of RNs, please contact Jackye Ward, deputy director of regulatory, Oklahoma Board of Nursing, [email protected]. 

You may recall that the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) issued emergency rules regarding designation types of hospital beds for expanding bed capacity. On Aug. 13, OSDH sent out an email addressing Emergency Rules for Hospitals, Chapter 667: Hospital Standards, effective Aug. 12, 2021. This rule addresses hospital licensed bed capacity and the CMS “Hospital Without Walls” program. For the email to hospitals, click here, and for the new rule, click here. (Sandra Harrison)