Oregon is struggling to recruit and hire health care workers. However, in spite of that challenge, the state has largely rejected joining interstate licensing compacts, which would give doctors and nurses who are licensed in other states the ability to provide health care in Oregon. Despite efforts from some lawmakers who introduced legislation to join compacts, there has been little progress due to ongoing opposition from licensing boards, unions, and concerns over patient safety and lost revenue.

As a result, it is more difficult to provide much needed care to patients in Oregon. Doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals licensed in other states who want to help the people of Oregon face an uphill battle. State licensing boards can make the process extremely complicated and difficult to navigate. The Professional License Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm provides professional license defense to medical practitioners in the state of Oregon and across the United States. Contact the Lento Law Firm today and tell us about your case, or call our offices at 888-535-3686.

Interstate Licensing Compacts

Interstate Licensing compacts are formal agreements between participating U.S. states and territories that streamline the licensing process for physicians, nurses, and other medical practitioners who want to practice medicine in more than one state. The Interstate Licensing Compact offers a voluntary, expedited process for obtaining licensure that is designed to increase access to healthcare. In Oregon, critics of interstate licensing compacts argue that by joining these compacts, Oregon could weaken the state's regulatory standards and reduce local licensing income. Both of those would further hinder Oregon's ability to address the state's ongoing health care shortages.

Currently, 40 states participate in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, 42 states participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact, 42 states participate in the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact, and 37 states are part of the Counseling Compact, to name a few. Oregon is one of only a few states that does not participate in most of the interstate licensing compacts. Oregon was, however, the first state to join the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact in 2016.

Role of State Licensing Boards

State licensing boards are responsible for not only licensing or certifying the health care providers in their state; these boards also establish the minimum standards for competency, suggest regulatory amendments, monitor current practices, investigate any allegations brought against a health care provider, and administer disciplinary action against a provider in the state. Needless to say, the decisions and actions of a state licensing board can have a significant impact on the licensing status of a medical provider as well as their future career.

If you are facing challenges to obtaining or retaining your medical license, or defending your professional license against an allegation, we can help. Our skilled Professional License Defense Team is dedicated to helping medical professionals throughout the United States navigate the complexities of state licensing board processes. Whether your medical license is in jeopardy and you need a skilled defense or you are facing obstacles obtaining your medical license, we've got you covered. Contact the Lento Law Firm today and tell us about your case, or call our offices at 888-535-3686.