The executive order in effect in Texas deems massage establishments and cosmetology salons as non-essential services, and it has been confirmed that such businesses will not re-open during phase 1 of Texas's re-opening plan.
Licensing exam sites for some services deemed essential in Florida will be re-opening, operating at 50% capacity and following physical distancing guidelines. Exams for real estate agents, building code, community association manager, construction, landscape architect, auctioneer, barbering and cosmetology, and veterinary medicine will be offered.
As states implement plans to re-open certain businesses that have been closed during the coronavirus emergency, regulatory boards are developing guidelines for licensees and facilities. The following links are a sampling of such actions and information:
The Law Society of Ontario is allowing lawyers to supervise candidates who have finished their experiential training program and filed an approved supervision agreement. Articling candidates can also apply to reduce the experiential training requirement due to difficulties arising from COVID-19. LSO has also suggested ways for lawyer candidates to meet supervisory requirements remotely.
The Financial Conduct Authority in the UK has granted advisers an additional year to complete qualifications and will not take action against advice firms if employees are delayed in earning qualifications if they had already registered or booked an exam that was cancelled or postponed.
This article highlights regulatory changes to pharmacy practice in Canada in response to COVID-19. Examples include changes in scope of practice for pharmacists to administer vaccines and other medications, extended prescribing authority, and e-prescribing.
The Commission of Higher Education in the Philippines has announced the postponement of 17 licensure exams administered by the Professional Regulation Commission. Exams scheduled through June will be rescheduled for later this year.
Florida's governor has appointed members to a Re-Open Florida Task Force, including Halsey Beshears, Secretary, FL Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Kevin Cairns, FL Board of Medicine board member, and David Altmaier with FL Office of Insurance Regulation.
The National Practitioner Data Bank has announced that both one-time query and continuous query fees will be waived for all registered active organizations eligible to query the NPDB in response to the COVID-19 emergency. The waiver is retroactive from March 1, 2020 and will continue through May 31, 2020. The NPDB website has a list of FAQs and access to Q&A teleconferences.
The New York governor has signed an executive order to temporarily permit funeral directors licensed in good standing in another US state and approved by the Commissioner of Health to practice in New York under the supervision of a NY-licensed and registered funeral director. The order will allow those licensed in New York but not registered in New York to practice under the supervision of a NY-licensed and registered funeral director. The order also allows individuals deputized by the Commissioner of Health to be agents authorized by a funeral director to supervise removal and transfer of the deceased.