Committee asks licensing boards, DPFR to report what they collect on where health licensees practice

The Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services committee discussed sending a letter to the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation (DPFR) and affiliated licensing boards asking them to inventory what information they currently collect about health licensees’ active practice status, practice settings and locations.

Committee members and staff said boards typically know how many licenses are outstanding but not whether licensees are actively practicing or where they practice. The letter, as drafted by staff, asks DPFR to coordinate with licensing and affiliated boards overseen by the Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation (OPOR) to report what data they collect and whether changes to statute or board forms are needed to gather the workforce information the committee seeks.

Representative Kluchi said she and others worked with a clinician (Dr. Terteranova) to identify an existing 'practice agreement' form used by independent practitioners; the committee’s minority amendment would adapt that form into a notice requiring independent practitioners to document scope of practice and training on file with the board. Staff suggested a January report-back to give the committee time to consider statutory changes before the next session. No final vote was recorded; the committee intends to send the letter and await board responses.

Next steps: staff will finalize the letter and request a coordinated report from DPFR/OPOR by the requested timeline so the committee can consider statutory or regulatory remedies.