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Policy Statement

Policy Statement  17-01: Social Security Numbers and Department of Revenue License Actions

Date: 07/10/2018
Referenced Sources: M.G.L. c. 30A, §13A
M.G.L. c. 119A §16
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Purpose

The Bureau of Health Professions Licensure adopts this policy to authorize staff action implementation of statutory requirements set forth in M.G.L. c.  30A, §13A and M.G.L. c. 119A §16, relating to the collection of social security numbers, reporting of licensee data to the Department of Revenue and processing of license suspensions and reinstatements pursuant to Department of Revenue notices.

Dates Adopted

Bureau: January 5, 2017
Board of Registration in Pharmacy:  January 5, 2017
Board of Registration in Dentistry: January 18, 2017
Board of Registration in Nursing: February 8, 2017
Board of Registration in Nursing Home Administrators: January 20, 2017
Board of Registration in Respiratory Care: 
Board of Registration of Physician Assistants: January 12, 2017
Board of Registration of Perfusionists: June 6, 2017
Board of Registration of Genetic Counselors: January 5, 2017
Board of Certification of Community Health Workers: 7/10/18

Board Authorization

  1. A Board’s adoption of this policy authorizes the Board’s Executive Director to act on the Board’s behalf as specified in this policy, with the assistance of Bureau staff, including Bureau information technology staff, as needed.  

Collection of SSNs as precondition of initial licensure and renewal

  1. Except as provided in paragraph 3, the Executive Director may not issue or direct the issuance of a license to an applicant who has not provided his or her social security number to the Board.
  2. In the case of an applicant for initial licensure who submits a signed and dated affidavit averring that:
    1. is a foreign national and not physically present in the United States at the time of applying for licensure, or
    2. his or her visa for lawful entry is related to employment that requires such licensure,

the Executive Director may accept, or direct the acceptance, of the affidavit in lieu of a social security number.

  1. The Executive Director may not renew or direct the renewal of the license of any licensee unless the licensee has provided his or her social security number to the Board.

Reporting of SSNs

  1. The Bureau may, on behalf of the Board, report licensee information, including but not limited to social security numbers, to persons or entities that are entitled to receive this information by law, including but not limited to:
    1. The Department of Revenue, in accordance with M.G.L. c. 30A, § 13A and M.G.L. c. 119A, § 16; and
    2. Persons authorized to receive such information in accordance with the Fair Information Practices Act, M.G.L. c.66A, §2.

Authority to act upon receipt of DOR Notices

  1. Upon receipt of a Notice to Suspend License or Certificate from the Massachusetts Department of Revenue concerning a licensee to whom the Board has issued a license, the Executive Director, is authorized to take actions in accordance with the table attached to this policy.

Report to the Board

  1. The Executive Director shall provide a written report to the Board on an annual basis identifying actions taken pursuant to this policy.

Downloads   for 17-01: Social Security Numbers and Department of Revenue License Actions

Open PDF file, 167.6 KB,  17-01 Collection of Social Security Numbers and Department of Revenue Suspensions (English, PDF 167.6 KB)
Open DOCX file, 28.41 KB,  17-01 Collection of Social Security Numbers and Department of Revenue Suspensions (English, DOCX 28.41 KB)
Referenced Sources:
M.G.L. c. 30A, §13A M.G.L. c. 119A §16

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