The Vermont Board of Medical Practice protects and promotes the health and safety of Vermonters by ensuring professional integrity through licensure of health care practitioners and investigation of complaints in a fair manner that is respectful to all parties.
We were notified that a physician was called by someone claiming that they were from the Board of Medical Practice. The caller told the MD that they were under investigation and needed to stop practicing immediately. The call showed on the Caller ID as coming from the Board's main telephone line. There are two important lessons from this latest scam attempt. First, some scammers have the ability to "spoof" the Caller ID system to show a different number than the phone from which the call originated. Second, if you have any doubt at all about the source of the call, you can always tell the caller that you will contact the Board, then hang up and call our office to confirm whether a Board staff member was calling you.
More details about how to avoid being victimized by a scam and how to report scams to the FBI can be found in the Call Scam Alert email sent from the Board last year. Please let us know if you are targeted and consider reporting it to the FBI (follow the link for info on reporting).
All Temporary Telehealth Registrations are now expired. This option, which was originally created for the COVID public-health emergency, is no longer available. Anyone practicing telehealth with Vermont patients must obtain an appropriate credential. In addition to the option of obtaining full licensure, physicians, PAs, and podiatrists may apply for new telehealth credentials. The two telehealth credential options are a telehealth license and a telehealth registration (which is distinct from the temporary telehealth registration that is no longer available). Follow this link to our page with licensing information for details.
Physicians (MDs), physician assistants, and podiatrists have two new credentials to choose from when considering telehealth practice with Vermont patients.
Telehealth registration is a good option for professionals who want to start telehealth practice as soon as possible. Telehealth registration has some significant limitations: it is good for only 120 days from the day issued; it allows practice with a total of only 10 unique patients over the 120 days; and it cannot be renewed. However, it offers some significant advantages: the application process is very abbreviated; the fee is one-half the cost of renewing a full license; and the fee may be credited toward the cost of a full license or a telehealth license if the holder applies within three years from the date the telehealth registration became effective. Two examples of situations where a provider may want to obtain a telehealth registration are:
Telehealth Licensure is a good option for professionals who have long-term plans to practice in Vermont with a limited number of patients. Telehealth licenses are issued for the remainder of the two-year licensing period when issued and may be renewed every two years. The only limitations are that practice is limited to telehealth and only 20 unique patients may be treated during each two-year licensing period. The application process is the same as the process for a full license. The fee is 75 percent of the fee for renewal of a full license and a licensee elects to apply for a full license while holding a telehealth license the fee will be credited toward the fee for the full license. Examples where a telehealth license may be a good alternative are:
More detailed information about the two options, eligibility criteria, and the process for applying for each of them, specific to each profession are available within each application.
If you are ready to apply for a telehealth registration or license go to get to our online licensing system.
Anyone who is interested in learning more about the new options for telehealth practice that will soon be available can review the law, Chapter 56 of Title 26 of Vermont Statutes Annotated. Once the regulations regarding the new options are formally approved, we will be posting more information.
The Board licenses allopathic physicians, physician assistants and podiatrists, and certifies anesthesiologist assistants and radiologist assistants.
Other health professionals, including nurses, and osteopathic physicians are regulated by the Vermont Office of Professional Regulation.
EMS licensed professionals can find information on the Emergency Medical Services webpage.
