Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Behavioral Health topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
House approves bill to streamline credentialing, expand supervision rules for behavioral‑health providers
Summary
House Bill 4083 passed final reading Feb. 11, 2026. Sponsors said the bill directs the Oregon Health Authority to select a centralized credentialing system, requires biennial reporting on reducing administrative burdens, and directs licensing boards to permit cross‑license supervision to expand clinical supervision access.
The Oregon House approved House Bill 4083 on final passage Feb. 11, 2026, a measure sponsors described as aimed at reducing administrative burdens that hinder the behavioral‑health workforce.
Representative Pham, speaking in support, said the state faces a behavioral‑health workforce shortage and that providers often face duplicative credentialing processes that delay patient care. "By selecting a centralized credentialing system, we eliminate unnecessary complexity for both providers and patients to ensure that workers can get to work more quickly," Pham said on the floor.
Under the bill language described by Pham, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) would select a centralized credentialing system for providers and coordinated care organizations to use for staff credentialing and billing. The bill also directs OHA to work with providers to identify and eliminate unnecessary and duplicative administrative requirements, and to report back to the governor's office and the Legislature every biennium on progress.
Pham said the bill also requires the boards for licensed social workers, licensed professional counselors and therapists, and board of psychologists to create rules allowing for cross‑license supervision for master‑level associates seeking licensure. Sponsors argued that will expand access to qualified supervisors and speed licensure for practitioners who currently struggle to find supervisory hours.
Representative Reschke opposed the bill on procedural grounds, arguing the legislative record (OLIS) listed the measure "at the request of the governor" and asserting the governor, no longer a member of the body, cannot introduce legislation. Reschke said she would vote no for that reason. Representative Sanchez, a social‑work professional, recounted the practical barriers to licensure and urged passage. The clerk opened the vote; at least one no vote was recorded. The Speaker declared HB 4083 passed after confirming it had received a constitutional majority.
