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Alabama board creates emergency medical licensing procedure for professionals with out-of-state certifications

The Alabama Board of Medical Examiners and the Medical Licensure Commission announced Monday they are creating an emergency medical licensing procedure that will allow those with licenses from outside Alabama to practice in the state.

Additionally, retired physicians with waivers will be able to obtain emergency reinstatement of their licenses without the normal requirements.

The emergency licenses will last until July 21, 2020, or until the end of the governor-declared State of Emergency, whichever comes sooner.

The licenses are promised to be approved with 48 hours of a submitted application, and they come at no cost.

William Perkins, the Board’s Associate executive director, said in a statement, “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.”

“As the situation develops, the agency is committed to the overall health and safety of the people of Alabama,” Perkins added.

According to information provided by the Board, physicians granted the emergency license will “receive restricted Alabama Controlled Substances Certificates for the sole purpose of treating patients suffering from and affected by the 2019 Novel Coronavirus.”

Those interested in reading the full set of rules governing the new emergency licenses, or those interested in applying for a license, can do so at the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners and the Medical Licensure Commission website.

Henry Thornton is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can contact him by email: [email protected] or on Twitter @HenryThornton95.

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