https://telehealth.hhs.gov/licensure/getting-started-licensure
Health professionals must meet the licensure requirements of the state where they are located and be licensed or legally permitted to practice in the state where the patient is located. In response to the growing use of telehealth, many states are revisiting their licensure process to minimize barriers to access and ensure continuity of care, while also preserving state regulatory oversight.
The same standards for licensure apply to health care providers regardless of whether care is delivered in-person or virtually through telehealth services.
The licensure process is intended to protect the general public and to ensure patient safety, but due to time and costs it can be a barrier to providing care. To practice in a state, providers must meet many requirements, including documentation of educational qualifications, satisfactory performance on qualifying examinations, and participation in background checks. Health care providers are also expected to maintain and renew their license. In most cases, maintenance requires paying an annual fee, completing continuing education, and self-reporting any disciplinary actions or other matters of concern.
The National Conference of State Legislatures tracks scope of practice issues related to a range of health care practitioners.
Obtaining licenses to provide telehealth care in multiple states can be burdensome. Application requirements differ across states and each new license takes time to complete as well as has associated fees. The cost for a full license can vary by as much as $75.00 to $800.00, depending on the type of specialty area and state. As a result, many states are attempting to minimize the licensing barrier to provide care, while still prioritizing state oversight of patient safety.
States have broadened their cross-state licensure, including for telehealth services, oversight in several ways:
Telehealth registration
A growing number of states are expanding pathways for out-of-state providers to practice telehealth in their states through telehealth registration. Out-of-state providers licensed in good standing in one state may provide telehealth services in another state after they complete that state’s telehealth registration requirements. Registered out-of-state providers do not have to obtain a state license to practice telehealth.
Under this telehealth registration pathway, there are certain state requirements and conditions. States have some variation in how they oversee telehealth registration. Typically, providers must meet these terms: