Expired Waivers and Suspensions
Eligible Supervisors for COVID-19 Vaccinations: This waiver broadens the definition of eligible supervisors to include other licensed and trained healthcare professionals whose current scope of practice allows them to immunize, thereby making it possible for pharmacy interns to administer COVID-19 vaccinations under the direct, immediate and personal supervision of a pharmacist OR certain other health care practitioners (such as physicians and surgeons, physician assistants, nurse-midwives, registered nurses and certified registered nurse practitioners).
Expired: October 31, 2022
Nursing Students administering COVID-19 Vaccinations: This waiver permits nursing students who have expertise in the technical details of administering vaccines to serve as technicians, separate and apart from their clinical placements but without being licensed, to administer influenza and COVID-19 vaccines with supervision by a licensed healthcare practitioner.
Expired: October 31, 2022
Volunteers administering the COVID-19 Vaccination: This waiver allows licensed volunteers under the State Board of Medicine, the State Board of Osteopathic Medicine, and the State Board of Nursing to administer vaccinations in settings that fall outside the definition of "approved clinic," including community-based, primary-care clinics and clinics in medically underserved areas.
Expired: October 31, 2022
Clinical Clerks administering COVID-19 Vaccinations: This waiver allows clinical clerks licensed under the State Board of Medicine and the State Board of Osteopathic Medicine to assist in administering COVID-19 vaccinations across Pennsylvania, rather than just in the hospitals to which they have been assigned.
Expired: October 31, 2022
Graduate Medical Trainees administering COVID-19 Vaccinations:
This waiver increases the ability of Graduate Medical Trainees under the State Board of Medicine and the State Board of Osteopathic Medicine to administer the COVID-19 vaccination at various location through Pennsylvania, rather than their assigned medical training facility.
Expired: October 31, 2022
Pharmacists delegating authority to administer COVID-19 Vaccinations: This waiver allows pharmacists to delegate the authority to administer COVID-19 vaccines to other licensed health care practitioners whose scope of practice includes the administration of injectable vaccines, or who have otherwise been authorized or made eligible to administer COVID-19 vaccinations by way of federal or state government action including but not limited to the PREP Act Declaration and its amendments.
Expired: October 31, 2022
Out-of-State Osteopathic Physicians:
This waiver suspended the practical examination requirement for out-of-state Osteopathic Physicians applying for licensure by endorsement.
Expired: October 31, 2022
Licensed Health Care Practitioners providing Telemedicine Services: This waiver allows health care professionals licensed under any of the Department of State's BPOA licensing boards to provide services to patients via telemedicine during the coronavirus emergency.
Expired: October 31, 2022
Individuals seeking licensure as Psychologists, Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors: This waiver allows individuals who are receiving supervision for clinical experience to provide teletherapy services so long as they are receiving supervision from a supervisor who complies with all required regulatory requirements.
Expired: October 31, 2022
Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons Licensed in Other States seeking Short Term Licensure in PA during the COVID-19 Emergency: This waiver utilizes the existing 'short-term camp license' and waives requirements that streamline the process for those seeking emergency issuance of license.
Expired: October 31, 2022
Real Estate Classes to be Livestreamed: This waiver allows approved providers of real estate education courses that have been approved for in-person instruction to livestream those courses to students.
Expired: October 31, 2022
(now
Act 25 of 2022)
Individuals working toward licensure as a behavior specialist via telemedicine or teletherapy:
This waiver allows for hours of clinical experience obtained by individuals working toward licensure as a behavior specialist via telemedicine or teletherapy during the duration of the COVID-19 emergency be recognized as valid and counted towards the 1,000 hours of clinical experience.
Expired: October 31, 2022
Cosmetology and Barber Licensure Through Career and Technical Education (CTE) PILOT PROGRAM: This pilot program provides additional opportunities for cosmetology and barber Career and Technology Center (CTC) students to earn educational hours and practical experience. It is also designed to allow CTC educators the flexibility necessary to assist these students in obtaining all the required education hours prior to their planned graduation date.
Expired: October 31, 2022 (Act 55 of 2022 extended the pilot program for three additional years)
State Board of Nursing Licensees: This waiver allows CRNPs to collaborate with other physicians without signed collaborative agreements and with physicians from other states. It also waives the requirement (3) for CRNAs to administer anesthesia in cooperation with a surgeon. Please note: the following portions of this waiver already expired, effective September 15, 2021: (1) the requirement for the English language proficiency testing requirements for RNs and LPNs, (2) the required 1,500 hours of education for PN licensure, (4) the need for board approval for CRNA graduates to practice, and (5) the requirement to demonstrate educational equivalency for CNSs.
Expired: June 20, 2022
Certified Registered Nurse Practitioners (CRNPs): This waiver permits CRNPs to practice outside of their specific clinical specialty, and to prescribe drugs related to the COVID-19 pandemic outside of the established formulary. Please note: the following portion of this waiver already expired, effective September 15, 2021, and therefore the requirement is no longer suspended: the educational equivalency requirement for applicants for certification as a CRNP by endorsement who are active licensees of other states and Board-recognized national certification.
Expired: June 20, 2022
Pharmacists administering Influenza Vaccinations:
This waiver allows pharmacists who are already authorized to administer the flu vaccine to administer any licensed, age-appropriate influenza vaccine to individuals 3 years of age or older.
Expired: June 20, 2022
State Board of Psychology & State Board of Social Workers; In-Person Supervision: This waiver suspends the requirement that supervisors meet individually face- to-face with psychology residents for an average supervisory total of at least 2 hours per week and suspends the requirements of the State Board of Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Professional Counselors that the supervisor, or one to whom supervisory responsibilities have been delegated, must meet with the supervisee for a minimum of 2 hours for every 40 hours of supervised clinical experience.
Expired: June 20, 2022
Supervision Requirements for Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech Language Pathologists and Audiologists: This waiver suspends all statutory and regulatory requirements for licensees of the previously named Boards that call for direct supervision or require contact/interaction that is "in-person," "face-to-face," "on-site," "on the premises" or the like.
Expired: June 20, 2022
During the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of emergency declarations were made by the federal government, including but not limited to a declaration under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act (pursuant to Section 319F-3 of the Public Health Service Act) issued by the Secretary of Health and Human Services in March 2020. The various federal declarations were issued under several broad authorities, and each one has different requirements related to expiration. The PREP Act declaration, for example, provides liability immunity for activities related to COVID-19 medical countermeasures. It has been amended 10 times since its issuance, and certain of its liability protections have been extended through October 1, 2024. See, “Tenth Amendment to Declaration Under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act for Medical Countermeasures Against COVID-19,”
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/01/07/2022-00151/tenth-amendment-to-declaration-under-the-public-readiness-and-emergency-preparedness-act-for-medical.
Generally, the PREP Act declaration and its amendments preempt conflicting state laws or regulations. Nevertheless, in the interests of providing clear and direct communication of the specific Pennsylvania regulatory and statutory provisions in potential conflict with the PREP Act, the Department issued a series of waivers to conform to the PREP Act’s various allowances and covered countermeasures. The waivers that are expiring June 6, 2022, are not necessary given that the protections provided by the PREP Act declaration remain in place.
Pharmacy Interns administering Vaccinations: This waiver allows pharmacy interns to administer any age-appropriate influenza vaccination to children 3 years of age and older and administer COVID-19 vaccinations to persons who are at least 18 years of age, but only under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist who holds an active authorization to administer injectable medications.
Expired: June 6, 2022
Pharmacists administering COVID-19 Vaccinations: This waiver allows a pharmacist who holds a valid Authorization to Administer Injectables to order and administer a COVID-19 vaccine without the need for an order from a licensed prescriber or a protocol approved/authorized by a physician or the medical staff of an institution; provided that any COVID-19 vaccine administration is performed in accordance with the applicable Emergency Use Authorization.
Expired: June 6, 2022
Traveling Vaccinators: This waiver allows out-of-state healthcare providers to administer the COVID-19 vaccine in Pennsylvania.
Expired: June 6, 2022
Retired Physicians and Nurses and other Healthcare Professionals administering COVID-19 Vaccinations: This waiver allows some retired physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to administer the COVID-19 Vaccine.
Expired: June 6, 2022
Allowing Qualified Pennsylvania Vaccinators to administer COVID-19 Vaccine to 16 & 17-Year-Olds and 12 to 15-Year-Olds: This waiver allows qualified Pennsylvania vaccinators to administer COVID-19 Vaccine to 16 & 17-Year-Olds, as well as 12 to 15-Year-Olds.
Expired: June 6, 2022
Certified Nurse Midwives, Dentists, Dental students, Optometrists, Optometry students, Physician Assistants, Physician Assistant students, Podiatrists, Podiatry students, Respiratory Therapists, Respiratory Therapy students, Veterinarians, Veterinary students that may administer COVID-19 vaccines: This waiver allowed a number of professions that would not otherwise be able to administer COVID vaccines to participate n COVID-19 vaccination programs.
Expired: June 6, 2022
BPOA Board Members and Physical Attendance at Meetings: This waiver suspends the requirements related to physical presence for BPOA (Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs) Board meetings.
Expired: May 23, 2022 (now Act 100 of 2021, December 22,2021)
Physician Assistants: This waiver allows physician assistants under the State Board of Osteopathic Medicine and the State Board of Medicine to assist with COVID-19 emergency response efforts more easily and effectively by suspending requirements pertaining to written agreements and several other items.
Expired: May 23, 2022 (now
Act 78 of 2021 and
Act 79 of 2021, October 7, 2021)
Barbers satisfying their 'theory course work' requirement hours through distance education: This waiver expands distance education hours permitted for barbers.
Expired: May 23, 2022 (now Act 76 of 2021, October 7, 2021)
Cosmetology Students satisfying their education hours requirement through distance education: This waiver expands distance education hours permitted for cosmetology students.
Expired: May 23, 2022 (now
Act 77 of 2021, October 7, 2021)
Medical Doctors and the number of institutions with which they can be affiliated: This waiver suspends the institutional-license requirements that limit qualified medical doctors to practice at no more than two affiliated facilities.
Expired: May 23, 2022 (now Act 16 of 2022, April 19, 2022)
Out-of-State Health Care Practitioners: This waiver allows for the issuance of expedited temporary licenses to practitioners in other states to provide services to Pennsylvanians. The suspension applies to the State Board of Medicine, the State Board of Osteopathic Medicine, and the State Board of Nursing.
Expired: May 23, 2022
Certified Nurse Midwives: This waiver suspends requirements related to the initial submission of collaborative agreements and changes to existing agreements and suspends requirements for Certified Nurse-Midwives with Prescriptive Authority.
Expired: May 23, 2022
Pharmacy Practitioners and Pharmacies in Other States: This waiver grants a suspension of certain licensure requirements to allow expedited temporary licensure to pharmacy practitioners and pharmacies in other states to provide goods and services to Pennsylvanians.
Expired: May 23, 2022
Pharmacy Related Waivers: The sections of this waiver that will expire on September 30, 2021 include the suspension of the restrictive definition of "satellite pharmacy" which allowed ancillary sites during the COVID-19 emergency to be considered "satellite pharmacies", the suspension of the statutory emergency prescription section to allow pharmacists to issue a 30-day supply for an emergency script as opposed to a 72-hour supply only for nonscheduled legend drugs and schedule V controlled substances, and allowing pharmacists to dispense a 90-day supply of a medication (nonscheduled legend drugs) at one time by using the refills on the medication.
Expired: May 23, 2022
Cosmetology Apprentices: This waiver suspends the 25 hours-per-week minimum requirement for individuals attempting to complete the necessary training hours for their cosmetology apprentice program.
Expired: May 23, 2022
Physicians providing Prescriptions:
This waiver suspends a State Board of Medicine regulation requiring physicians to provide paper prescriptions within 72 hours of issuing an emergency prescription by telephone.
Expired: May 23, 2022
Licensees attempting to meet Continuing Education Requirements entirely through Online Learning or Distance Education: This waiver permits licensees to satisfy up to 100 percent of their CE requirements for their next renewal with hours obtained entirely through online courses from providers of distance education that meet the applicable board's continuing education requirements.
Please note: This waiver supersedes a previous waiver, Licensed Professionals such as Certified Public Accountants, Licensed Respiratory Therapists, Massage Therapists, Optometrists, Licensed Osteopathic Respiratory Therapists, Podiatrists, Veterinarians, Dentists, Dental Hygienists, Expanded Function Dental Assistants, Psychologists, Licensed Social Workers, Clinical Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Professional Counselors; RE: Permissible Amount of Online CEs.
Expired: May 23, 2022 - For board-specific timelines and additional information, click here.
Court Reporters: This waiver suspends the requirement for physical presence of notaries who are court reporters/stenographers participating in criminal, civil and administrative proceedings.
Expired: September 30, 2021
Suspension of Nurse Licensing Requirements, such as practice permits and fees, extending renewal deadlines, allowing nursing school graduates to apply for the graduate permit without sitting for the licensure examination, waiving the English language proficiency testing requirement for RN and PN Temporary Practice Permits, waiving the 1,500 hours of education requirement for licensure by endorsement and licensure by examination, and waiving the education equivalency for clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) for certification by endorsement.
Expired: September 15, 2021
Barbers, Cosmetologists, Accountants and Nursing Home Administrators: This waiver extends fixed timeframes to take or complete education, examination, or training in order to receive a license.
Expired: September 15, 2021
Barbers, Cosmetologists, Crane Operators, Nurses and Perfusionists:This waiver extends certain temporary permits and licenses for these professionals.
Expired: September 15, 2021
Perfusionists: This waiver extends temporary licenses for graduate perfusionists.
Expired: September 15, 2021
Graduate Medical Trainees: This waiver suspends certain administrative requirements for Graduate Medical Trainees.
Expired: September 15, 2021
Registered Nurses & Practical Nurses: This waiver extends Temporary Practice Permits issued to RNs & PNs applying for their Pennsylvania License by Endorsement.
Expired: September 15, 2021
Federal and Military Medical Personnel: This waiver suspends certain licensing requirements for military medical personnel, including members of the National Guard, during the coronavirus emergency.
Expired: September 15, 2021
Suspension of certain regulations for Nurse-Midwives: This waiver allows for streamlined reactivations and suspends requirements related to identification of categories of drugs that a Certified Nurse-Midwife with Prescriptive Authority may prescribe or dispense.
Expired: August 31, 2021
Pharmacists and Pharmacies: This waiver includes suspensions related to nonresident pharmacies, pharmacy technician supervision for remote processing, expiration of CPR certification, and pharmacy closure notification requirements.
Expired: August 31, 2021
Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Speech Language Pathologists: These waivers expand the scope of practice that call for "Face-to-Face", "In-Person", or "On-Site" interaction.
Expired: August 31, 2021
Dentists, Oral Surgeons, Athletic Trainers, Chiropractors, Podiatrists: These waivers allow for additional medical providers to help with COVID-19 operations outside of their traditional scope of practice.
Expired: August 31, 2021
Massage Therapy Students: This waiver allows a limited number of massage therapy education hours to be earned via distance learning.
Expired: August 31, 2021
Chiropractors, Dentists, Optometrists, Pharmacists and Podiatrist who hold Clinical Lab Permits to Order and Administer COVID-19 Tests: This waiver allows qualified Chiropractors, Dentists, Optometrists, Pharmacists and Podiatrists to be authorized to order and administer COVID-19 tests
Expired: August 31, 2021
Retired/Inactive Professionals: Reactivations for retired healthcare practitioners & licensees who went inactive or allowed their license to expire or lapse related to the following boards:
State Board of Medicine, State Board of Osteopathic Medicine, State Board of Nursing, State Board of Pharmacy,State Board of Occupational Therapy, State Board of Physical Therapy, State Board of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology,
and the following specific license types:
Behavior Specialists, Dentists, Dental Hygienists, Expanded Function Dental Assistants, Funeral Directors, Nursing Home Administrators, Podiatrists, Practical Nurses (LPNs), Social Workers, Clinical Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, Professional Counselors, Veterinarians, Veterinary Technicians.
Expired: August 17, 2021
State Board of Medicine Retired Professionals & Out-of-State Healthcare Practitioners: Waiver extending the State Board of Medicine renewal deadline, continuing license reactivations for retired professionals (Note: The passage of Act 21 of 2021 extended the expiration date of temporary licenses issued to out-of-state healthcare practitioners to September 30th, 2021.)
Expired: August 17, 2021
Funeral Directors & Resident Interns: The temporary suspension of the "10-Day Rule" for funeral directors and the automatic extension to 30 days during the emergency declaration, as well as an extension for funeral resident interns to have a gap in their training from 30 days to 120 days.
Expired: August 17, 2021
Dentists, Dental Hygiene & Clinical Examinations: Waivers allowing alternatives to live-patient clinical licensing exams for all candidates for licensure and allowing for the ADEX Manikin Examination as a viable alternative for dental hygienists taking their clinical examination. (Note: This waiver expired but the State Board of Dentistry provided an extension, allowing applicants to have the option to take the manikin examination offered through the Commission on Dental Competency Assessments (CDCA), through December 2022)
Expired: August 17, 2021
Respiratory Therapy Students: Waiver of Temporary Permit Rule for Respiratory Therapists.
Expired: August 17, 2021
Clinical Clerks: This waiver expands clinical clerk services beyond providing services to patients in assigned hospitals.
Expired: August 17, 2021
Crane Operators: This waiver allows crane operators more time to recertify.
Expired: August 17, 2021
Physical Therapists & Physical Therapist Assistants: This waiver allows students about to graduate to take licensure examination prior to graduation.
Expired: August 17, 2021
Occupational Therapists & Occupational Therapy Assistants: This waiver extends certain temporary licenses for OT's & OTA's
Expired: August 17, 2021