Keeping Abreast of COVID-19 in the States

On January 27, 2020, the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Alex Azar declared a public health emergency (PHE) in the U.S. for the 2019 Novel Coronavirus under the authority of section 319 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act.

A PHE declaration does not waive or preempt state licensing requirements. States determine whether and under what circumstances a non-federal health care provider is authorized to provide services in the state without state licensure.

Each state’s Board of Nursing is operating in conjunction with Governor’s Executive Orders, and there has been variation between states; with some decisions changing daily.

To learn about states emergency responses such as licensing waivers and applicable statutory/administrative provisions, go to https://www.ncsbn.org/14508.htm

For more information which may impact your practice environment:

Governor’s Executive Orders by State:

https://web.csg.org/covid19/executive-orders/

State Legislative Action On COVID-19:

https://www.ncsl.org/research/health/state-action-on-coronavirus-covid-19.aspx

State Health Departments – actions specific to COVID–19:

https://search.usa.gov/search?affiliate=usagov&query=covid-19