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Out-of-state and retired physicians can apply for temporary licensing in Massachusetts to help address COVID-19 crisis

To help meet the increased demand for physicians in Massachusetts as a result of the expanding COVID-19 crisis, physicians from out-of-state or who are retired can obtain emergency temporary licenses from the state’s Board of Registration in Medicine.

Following Gov. Charlie Baker’s declaration of a state of emergency (Executive Order 591), the Board established the temporary licensing procedure for out-of-state medical providers. To qualify, a physician must have an active, full, unlimited and unrestricted medical license in good standing in another U.S. state, territory or district.

Good standing does not include a license that is subject to disciplinary restrictions, or has been revoked, cancelled, surrendered, or suspended.

A completed application should be sent to emergency.medical.license@mass.gov.

Physicians who retired from the practice of medicine within one year of March 17, 2020 (the date of the state of emergency declaration) may request the Board to reactivate their license by sending a completed application to emergency.medical.license@mass.gov.

An emergency temporary license will remain in effect for the duration of the state of emergency declaration, or when Executive Order No. 591 is rescinded, whichever occurs first.

Attorneys Paul Cirel (pcirel@toddweld.com) and Ingrid Martin (imartin@toddweld.com) have extensive experience representing physicians in connection with licensing and licensure issues with the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine.  Any physician seeking an emergency license, or any physician, practice, or clinic needing help or advice relating to an application for medical licensure in Massachusetts should feel free to contact Paul or Ingrid for assistance.