Important Information Regarding Physician Licensure Issued During the Public Health Emergency

The Board of Registration in Medicine established an Emergency Temporary License Application for out-of-state physicians pursuant to Public Health Emergency Order No. 2022-09 to assist in meeting the increased demand for physician services in Massachusetts.  In light of ongoing workforce shortages at Massachusetts hospitals, the Board is extending the expiration date of licenses issued pursuant to this policy.

To qualify for an Emergency Temporary License, a physician must hold an active, full, unlimited and unrestricted license in good standing in another U.S. state/territory/district and provide services in Massachusetts within a facility licensed or operated by the Department or another state agency, or in another location if approved by the Commissioner.

The deadline to apply for an Emergency Temporary License pursuant to Public Health Emergency Order 2022-09 was June 30, 2022.  Licenses issued pursuant to Emergency Order 2022-09 are valid until June 30, 2023.

With the Governor declaring a State of Emergency, the Board of Registration in Medicine established an Emergency Temporary License Application for out-of-state physicians to assist in meeting the increased demand for physician services in Massachusetts. In light of ongoing workforce shortages at Massachusetts hospitals, the Board is extending the expiration date of licenses issued pursuant to this policy.

To qualify for an Emergency Temporary License a physician was required to hold an active full, unlimited and unrestricted medical license in good standing in another U.S. state/territory/district. "Good standing" shall not include a license that has been revoked, cancelled, surrendered, suspended, or is subject to disciplinary restrictions.

On December 1, 2022, the Board amended Policy 2020-05 to include the following:

1. The Emergency Temporary License is valid until June 30, 2023

2. Physicians who have been issued an Emergency Temporary License and who have submitted a Full License application with the Board on or before June 30, 2023, will have their Emergency Temporary License remain active until the Full License application is adjudicated.

In order to ensure an adequate supply of physicians to staff hospitals, and to eliminate any administrative delays for physicians who qualify for licensure during this crisis, the Board of Registration in Medicine issued Interim Policy on Emergency Temporary Licenses for Full License Applicants 2020-09.  Pursuant to Policy 2020-09, eligible physicians will be issued an Emergency Temporary License while the Board processes the physician’s Full application.  A request for an Emergency Temporary License must be made by a Massachusetts healthcare facility to either the Executive Director or the Director of Licensing. This policy expires on June 30, 2023.  Please contact the Board of Registration in Medicine at 781-876-8230 should you have any questions.

With the Governor declaring a State of Emergency on March 11, the Board of Registration in Medicine is processing licenses to prioritize emergency needs of healthcare institutions and organizations.  If you are a healthcare institution or organization and seek an expedited request of an application, please contact: emergency.medical.license@mass.gov.

Pursuant to Public Health Emergency Order No. 2022-09, the Board of Registration in Medicine established an emergency process allowing physicians who have held a license to practice in Massachusetts within the past 5 years to reactivate or renew their license pursuant to the limitations outlined below.  

To qualify for emergency reactivation or renewal: a physician’s Massachusetts full license expired, lapsed or retired within 5 years; the license was not revoked, suspended, surrendered or subject to any non-disciplinary restrictions; and the license is not subject to any outstanding complaints or investigations.  License reactivation or renewal pursuant to Order No. 2022-09 is subject to the limitation of practice in Massachusetts within a facility licensed or operated by the Department or another state agency, or in another location if approved by the Commissioner.

Physicians issued Emergency Temporary Licenses pursuant to Public Health Emergency Order 2022-09 will be valid until June 30, 2023.