Board of Medical Practice

In late 2022 federal law was amended to do away with the requirement to obtain an “X-license” to be able to prescribe buprenorphine for treatment of opioid substance use disorder. However, a new requirement was put in place for all prescribers who are registered with the DEA to prescribe controlled substances to have training on the treatment and management of opioid use disorder and other substance use disorders. The law, which is sometimes referred to as “the MATE Act,” did not provide details about the training requirement. Details became available on March 27, 2023, when the DEA issued guidance for prescribers on how they can meet this one-time training requirement. The good news is that the DEA will be accepting training that prescribers have completed in the past. The many ways that prescribers can satisfy the training requirement include:

• Board certification in addiction medicine or addiction psychiatry
• Completion of a medical school or PA curriculum since June 27, 2018, if the curriculum included at lease 8 hours of training on treatment and management of patients with opioid or other substance use disorders
• Having previously completed at least 8 hours of “DATA-waived” training

For those who will need to get the training, there are specifics about what they must do.

The DEA Training Letter document linked below offers much more detailed guidance. Registrants will be required to affirm on the DEA registration form that they have satisfied the training requirement when they register, whether for the first time or renewal. More information is available on the DEA website https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/ (as of March 29^th there is a banner near the top of the page). You may also call the DEA at (571)362-3260.

DEA Training Letter Document

The Vermont Board of Medical Practice approved an update of the Policy on the Appropriate Use of Technologies in the Practice of Medicine on 03/01/2023. 

Beginning on April 1, 2022, you must be registered with the Board of Medical to practice telehealth with a patient in Vermont if you do not a Vermont License.

Many health care professionals have been able to practice in Vermont using telehealth without obtaining a license since the beginning of the COVID-19 public health emergency in early 2020. Act 85 of 2022, enacted on March 22, 2022, significantly changed the temporary laws regarding telehealth practice by those who do not hold a Vermont license. If you do not hold a Vermont license, you will not be able to continue to practice as of April 1, 2022, unless you take the required actions (click the links below for more details).

Before you begin your registration, please read the "Instructions for Temporary Telehealth Registration" (click the link below). We recommend you print the instructions to use while you complete the registration process.

Instructions for Temporary Telehealth Registration

Start Registration 

Please note: this applies to only the professions licensed by the Board of Medical Practice (MD, PA, DPM, AA, and RA). Members of professions regulated by the Office of Professional Regulation (e.g. DOs, APRNs, and Naturopaths) should contact OPR.

Deemed Licensure for Health Care Professionals Licensed in Other States

By virtue of Act 85 of 2022, through June 30, 2023, health care professionals who are licensed in another U.S. jurisdiction and in good standing in all states where licensed, and who are not currently subject to disciplinary proceedings in another state or barred from practice in Vermont, are able to practice in Vermont for up to six months without obtaining a license, in the following circumstances:

1. Practice as part of the staff of a licensed facility
2. Practice at a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC)
3. Practice as a volunteer with the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC)

Those who are practicing with the MRC or as staff of a licensed facility or FQHC must have the organization submit to the Board their name, contact information, and locations at which they will be practicing. This authority applies until June 30, 2023, so long as the individual remains in good standing in all jurisdictions where licensed to practice, however, for all but those practicing with the MRC, it may be used for only six months after the date of enactment, March 22, 2022.

After relying on this provision for a period of six months that begins on or after March 22, 2023, the health care professional must obtain a license to continue practice in Vermont. This means that someone who was practicing as of March 22, 2022 and who continues to practice may rely upon this provision until September 22, 2022. Someone who begins practice in Vermont on January 1, 2023, may practice until June 30, 2023. Someone who begins practice after January 1, 2023 may practice under this authority only through June 30, 2023, not for the full six months. The only exception to the six-month limitation is for those who limit practice to the MRC.  The provisions of Act 85 of 2022 that allow practice without a license as described above are at pages 7 through 9 of the law.    

Deemed Licensure for Vermont Physicians Whose License Became Inactive within the Past Three Years

Health care professionals whose Vermont licenses became inactive within the past three years and who were in good standing also have been, and continue to be, eligible to be “deemed” licensed to practice until June 30, 2023 in the same circumstances as listed above:  with the MRC or as staff of a licensed facility or FQHC. If you began practicing in Vermont under this authority within three years of the date on which you no longer held an active license and have continued to practice, you will remain eligible to practice through June 30, 2023, so long as all other conditions are still satisfied. That is to say that you have not been subjected to discipline or barred from practice in Vermont. The extension of the provision that allows those whose licenses became inactive within the past three years to be deemed to be licensed to practice are found at pages 10-11 of Act 85 of 2022.

Emergency Licensure for Health Care Professionals Whose Vermont Licenses Became Inactive Between Three and Ten Years Ago

Health care professionals whose Vermont license became inactive more than three years ago are not able to be “deemed” licensed as described just above. However, those whose Vermont licenses became inactive between three and ten years ago may apply for a temporary emergency license to practice with the MRC or as staff of a licensed facility or FQHC. They must fill out an abbreviated application, which will be reviewed by the Board. Limitations may be placed on such licenses. Licenses obtained under this provision may also be extended through June 30, 2023, as provided by Act 85 of 2022 at page 11.

For questions or concerns regarding licensing, please contact:

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (802) 657-4223

For questions or concerns regarding filing a complaint, please contact:

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (802) 657-4220