In an effort to bolster the state’s medical response to COVID-19, state health officials announced Monday that physicians and physician assistants with out-of-state medical licenses can now receive temporary permission to work in Alabama.
The Alabama Board of Medical Examiners and the Medical Licensuare Commission have adopted emergency administrative rules to allow physicians and physician assistants to apply for temporary emergency licenses to practice in Alabama “for the duration of the declared COVID-19 health emergency,” according to a press release Monday from both entities.
“Physicians with retirement waivers will be able to obtain emergency reinstatement of their licenses without completing the 25 credits of continuing medical education that would normally be required,” the statement reads.
The temporary licenses will cost applicants nothing, and will be in effect until the statewide health emergency is over, according to the statement. Those who receive the temporary emergency licenses will also receive restricted Alabama Controlled Substances Certificates to treat only those suffering from and affected by COVID-19.
“The Board of Medical Examiners is taking these measures to ensure that the people of Alabama have access to all available resources as we respond to this epidemic,” said William Perkins, the Board’s Associate executive director in a statement. “As the situation develops, the agency is committed to the overall health and safety of the people of Alabama.”
The emergency administrative rules and procedures, including application forms, can be found on the ALBME/MLC website at albme.org
