Update on California Department of Consumer Affairs COVID-19 Waivers

Due to the broader spread of COVID-19 in California, the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) has extended numerous professional licensing waivers to facilitate the delivery of patient care during the state of emergency.

We have previously analyzed health care licensing waivers and guidance issued by the DCA under the authority of Governor Newsom’s March 30, 2020 Executive Order. DCA has continued issuing additional waivers and extending past waivers on the DCA waivers page. Here are some updates to the waivers that we’ve previously analyzed.

In an August 11, 2020 order, the DCA extended the following three April 14, 2020 orders to October 11, 2020:

Order Waiving Physician Assistant Supervision Requirements;
Order Waiving Nurse Practitioner Supervision Requirements; and
Order Waiving Nurse-Midwife Supervision Requirements.

In a July 31, 2020 order, the DCA extended its April 3, 2020 Order Waiving Restrictions on Nursing Student Clinical Hours to December 31, 2020.
In another July 31, 2020 order, the DCA extended its May 4, 2020 Order Waiving Nursing Preceptorship Requirements and Restrictions on Nursing Student Clinical Training until December 31, 2020.
In a July 7, 2020 order, the DCA extended its May 12, 2020 Order Waiving Restrictions on Pharmacists Ordering and Collecting Specimens for COVID-19 Tests until September 9, 2020.
In a series of July 1, 2020 orders, the DCA extended the following four May 6, 2020 orders to September 3, 2020:

Order Waiving In-Person Physician Examination Requirement for Continued Physical Therapy Treatment;
Order Waiving Face-to-Face Supervision Requirements for Psychology Trainees;
Order Waiving In-Person Supervision Requirements for Speech-Language Pathology Assistants and Required Professional Experience Temporary Licensees; and
Order Waiving Face-to-Face Training and Supervision Requirements for Marriage Family Therapists, Professional Clinical Counselors, and Clinical Social Workers.

The waivers may be amended or extended further during the state of emergency. Health care institutions and professionals should monitor the DCA waivers page to keep informed of the temporary licensing adjustments designed to provide flexibilities for the industry to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.