Governor Mill's Executive Order
On April 7, 2020, Governor Janet Mills signed an Executive Order (PDF) which takes additional actions to promote Maine people’s access to health care in response to COVID-19. This Order was developed in coordination with the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, the Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation and the Attorney General’s Office. The Executive Order makes temporary changes to certain OPOR licensing laws, which remain in effect until the end of the state of civil emergency. The Order:
- Expands the availability of telehealth services:
- Certain OPOR licensed health care providers may provide telehealth services to their patients, as necessary and appropriate during the declared state of civil emergency. The Order expressly permits the use of telehealth by video, audio, or other electronic means. The Order does not expand any licensee’s scope of practice.
- Alleviates the following licensing requirements for all health care providers licensed by OPOR:
- Licensees whose licenses are scheduled to expire on or before March 20, 2021 may renew that license without satisfying any continuing education requirements that would otherwise apply
- Licensees whose licenses are scheduled to expire during the declared state of civil emergency will have their expiration dates extended until 30 days following the conclusion of the declared emergency
- All temporary licenses issued by the Board of Respiratory Care Practitioners, Board of Occupational Therapy Practice and Radiologic Technology Board of Examiners and all permits for the performance of relief veterinary services issued by the State Board of Veterinary Medicine during the state of civil emergency shall not expire prior to 30 days following the conclusion of the declared state of civil emergency.
- Expands the health care workforce to help support Maine’s health care needs during this crisis by allowing certain health care providers licensed in another state or licensed by OPOR, such as respiratory care therapists, to:
- Receive a temporary license (PDF) to provide health care in person or through telehealth to Maine people, with no application fee, if currently licensed in another state.
- Reactivate their Maine license (PDF) immediately, with no application fee and for the duration of the crisis, if retired within the last three years.
Email the completed application to the Board:
Acupuncturists, Naturopathic Doctors, Certified Professional Midwives: comphealth.lic@maine.gov
Alcohol & Drug Counselors: alcoholdrug.board@maine.gov
Certified Interpreter, Certified Deaf Interpreters: interpreters@maine.gov
Chiropractors: chiropractic.lic@maine.gov
Clinical Professional Counselors, Marriage & Family Therapists, Pastoral Counselors: counsel.board@maine.gov
Dietitians: diet.board@maine.gov
Licensed Clinical Social Workers: socwkr.board@maine.gov
Multi-Level Long Term Care Administrators, Nursing Home Administrators: nursehm.board@maine.gov
Occupational Therapists: occ.board@maine.gov
Pharmacists, Pharmacy Technicians, Pharmacy Interns: pharmacy.lic@maine.gov
Physical Therapists: physicalthrpy.lic@maine.gov
Podiatrists: podmed.board@maine.gov
Psychologists: psych.board@maine.gov
Radiologic Technologists: radtech.board@maine.gov
Respiratory Care Therapists, Respiratory Care Technicians: respcare.board@maine.gov
Speech-Language Pathologists, Audiologists, Hearing Aid Dealer and Fitters: slpaudhad.board@maine.gov
Veterinarians: vetmed.lic@maine.gov