States Taking Action to Expand Telehealth

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, many state licensure boards are adopting emergency rules and policies to expand eligibility for telehealth providers. While state boards have been forced to move their work online and postpone hearings and other activities, they are working to address the unique challenges that the pandemic has presented. States such as Maryland, Nevada, and Florida are allowing out-of-state counselors who are licensed in good standing to provide telehealth services to residents for the durations of their state-declared public health emergencies. New York and Delaware have gone a step further, allowing counselors in any state to provide both telehealth and in-person services during the pandemic. Other states such as Oregon have instituted temporary reciprocal licenses for out-of-state counselors to provide telehealth services.

State licensure boards have varying degrees of ability to implement emergency rules. Some have broad authority to promulgate rules, others are more limited in scope. In the midst of this pandemic, state boards have been working to both protect the public and ensure that mental health treatment is available for those who need it. Person Centered Tech, a telehealth compliance firm focused on mental health providers and an NBCC Approved Continuing Education Provider, is working to compile a listing of all state board actions related to the pandemic. If you have questions about what actions have been taken in your state, please contact govtaffairs@nbcc.org.