CLEAR

College of Nurses of Ontario experiences cybersecurity incident

The College of Nurses of Ontario has experienced a cybersecurity issue, with hackers indicating that they have access to CNO files and threatening to publish it. The College is "seeking to determine whether personal information was compromised as a result of the incident." A cybersecurity firm has been hired to assist with remediation and forensic investigation. The license verification look-up system and the online license application are currently unavailable.

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UK: NMC analysis of COVID-19 temporary register

The Nursing and Midwifery Council in the UK has analyzed data and survey responses of those on the temporary register created in March 2020 allowing former of internationally-trained nursing and midwifery professionals to practice. Over 14,000 people were n the temporary register, and analysis indicates that almost half would consider re-joining the permanent register. The NMC is considering how to sustain the needed number of nursing and midwifery professionals.

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Massachusetts bill seeks changes to auto damage appraiser licensing

A bill under consideration in the Massachusetts Senate would move the Auto Damage Appraiser Licensing Board from under the Division of Insurance to under the Division of Professional Licensure. The bill would also increase the size of the Board by two members to be appointed by the Attorney General. A new Board chairperson would be appointed by the Commissioner of the Division of Professional Licensure.

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Military Spouse Licensing Relief Act introduced in Congress

The Military Spouse Licensing relief Act introduced in the US Congress would require states to recognize occupational licenses from other states for spouses of military service members who get transferred across state lines on a permanent change of station order. The license must be in good standing in the home state, and the applicants must comply with standards of practice and continuing education requirements in the new state. Many states have already individually enacted legislation offering some form of reciprocity or expedited licensing for military spouses.

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Update: Illinois regulator to review questions about cannabis dispensary license process

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation will review the questions raised about the licensing process for cannabis dispensaries before moving forward with a license lottery.

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Michigan: criminal record bills advance

Bills have passed in the Michigan House that would prohibit licensing boards from considering prior criminal convictions as the basis for license denial unless it directly relates to the profession. The new law would not apply to child care providers, lawyers, law enforcement officers, or nursing home employees.

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Florida Supreme Court denies waiver of bar exam

The Florida Supreme Court has denied a petition to allow law school graduates to be licensed without taking the Florida Bar Exam. After being re-scheduled and cancelled, the Bar Exam will be offered online in October, but the petition noted concerns about internet access and access to a quiet place to take the exam, issues disproportionately affecting minority candidates.

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Vermont: pharmacists allowed to vaccinate children

The Vermont Office of Professional Regulation has announced that Vermont will participate in the federal waiver that allows pharmacists to administer vaccinations to children under 18. Some pediatricians have raised concerns that the new policy will result in parents skipping annual exams for their children.

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Georgia governor vetoes audiologist and speech-language pathologist compact

Georgia's governor has vetoed a bill to allow the state to join the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact. The governor noted concerns that the Georgia Occupational Regulation Review Council had not had the opportunity to review the bill. Utah, Colorado, Oklahoma, West Virginia, and North Carolina have become member states of the compact developed by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

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Illinois: requests to delay marijuana dispensary licenses

Some lawmakers are requesting a delay in the issuance of marijuana dispensary licenses due to concerns about the equity of the application process. Twenty-one applicants qualified with perfect scores for the first round of licenses, so a lottery system was established for distributing the licenses. Lawmakers have requested a delay in order to review more detailed information about the application scoring process.

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