BOARD NEWS
Notice of Public Meeting
Subject: Public Open Meeting
Date: January 21, 2022
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Governor's Actions:
License Renewal Update
Licensees,
As most of you know by now, on December 3, 2021 the Maryland Department of Health experienced a cyber attack on its digital systems. As a result we were unable to access our electronic files including our website and licensee database. Our website came back online with some posting modifications after about a week. We only regained access to our database at the end of last week. This crisis was magnified by the fact that we are in the midst of our annual Renewal Period. After the cyber attack, many of our licensees were not able to renew their licenses because the staff could not update their background check status in the system. I am pleased to report that our IT staff has been able to create a "workaround" so that we are now able to update the licensees' files with background check information. The staff is updating that information as quickly as they can but it will take some time to complete the task. We asked that you check your verification online to see if your file has been updated before calling or emailing the Board.
Finally, because we lost the month of December in the renewal period, we are extending the renewal period to February 15, 2022. This allows two additional weeks for licensees to renew their licenses. Please know that no license will lapse because of the cyber attack. If you have a special situation or are concerned about insurance matters, please email me at
tonyw.torain@maryland.gov.
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FY22 License Renewal
Credential Holders,
Please be advised that the FY22 License Renewal Period will begin on
November 1, 2021 and conclude on January 31, 2022.
Licenses that will expire on January 31, 2022 can be renewed beginning November 1, 2021. You will be able to access the licensing portal during this period at
https://mdbnc.health.maryland.gov/pct/logon.aspx to renew your licenses. Licenses that have not been renewed by midnight of January 31, 2022 will be considered lapsed and the licensees will be required to reinstate their licenses at additional cost. Anyone needing CEUs or a background checks, should take care of these matters before attempting to update their license or certificate.
Please note that if you are an LGMFT, LGPC, LGADC and LGPAT you will need to renew your license by submitting your renewal application by mail. If you have questions, you may pose them at
tonyw.torain@maryland.gov.
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Clarification Regarding ADT Practice
Alcohol and drug trainees are authorized by statute to provide alcohol and drug counseling under the supervision of approved alcohol and drug supervisors. The approved supervisors are authorized by law to use telehealth in providing those services; thus, the trainees would similarly be authorized to provide these services using telehealth (under the conditions set forth in statute and regulation). The Secretary of Health’s April 6, 2020 Order was a clarification of that existing authority, as is the 2021 legislation effective on October 1, 2021 (Ch. 797, Acts of 2021).
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Teletherapy Change
At the beginning of the state of emergency, the Secretary issued an order allowing out-of-state providers, not licensed in Maryland, to provide teletherapy to existing clients for as long as the state of emergency was in effect. This was done to allow students and others who were forced to locate in Maryland to continue to see their existing counselor. In light of the Governor's announcement that the state of emergency would end on July 1, the Order ended on that date by operation of law.
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Information re: LPC Interstate Compact Stakeholder Review
4/6/2020 Update:
COVID-19 INFORMATION:
NEW:
3/8/21 -BHA Clinical Letter Helping the Helpers
2/5/21 -
Resources for Health Care Professionals
The Maryland Department of Health will update resources for health care professionals as they become available. The Department urges you to regularly check their vaccine dashboards for more information:
https://covidlink.maryland.gov/content/vaccine/
https://coronavirus.maryland.gov/#Vaccine.
1/20/21:
Contacting MDH regarding the prioritization of COVID-19 vaccinations
1/12/21:
COVID-19 Vaccination Prioritization and Allocation
1/5/21:
MDH Order Requiring Reporting of Covid-19 Vaccine Administration
1/1/21:
Amended Directive and Order Regarding Vaccination Matters
7/1/20 COVID -19 Update - MDH Order -
Amended Various Healthcare Matters - COVID Testing on Demand
Update 03/17/2020:
The State of Maryland is in Phase II Level II Pandemic Response Operations. Accordingly, Board staff is on a limited and restricted work schedule. We will make every effort to respond to email and phone messages in a timely manner during this time. The processing of new applications and other functions will also be affected. Please note that visitors are not permitted in the building for any reason and documents may not be dropped off at Board offices under any circumstances. Please check the Board's website for up to date information regarding the Covid 19 pandemic response.
**UPDATED** FAQ 04/09/2020 - Covid-19
The Maryland Department of Health has provided information about the -
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Outbreak
