Health care workers with out-of-state licenses will be able to continue to practice in New York under a measure signed into law by Governor Cathy Hochul.
The action is intended to address an executive order that has since ended the COVID-era that allowed nurses and doctors to work in New York without an in-state license. More broadly, the law will help in part address the state’s persistent shortage of healthcare workers over the past several years.
The measure applies to nurses who were working in New York before the executive order expired on May 22 and have already applied for a license to practice in New York. They will have an additional 180 days to secure the license.
“Maintaining a strong and stable health care workforce is a cornerstone of providing quality care to all New Yorkers,” said State Assemblywoman Patricia Fahey. “Allowing these individuals to work, while encouraging them to reside and settle in New York, will bolster our healthcare workforce at a time when we need to close gaps and shortages imminently.”
Lawmakers noted the long wait for healthcare workers to obtain a license in New York. The worker is prohibited from providing health care in New York while the application is being processed.
New York health care networks in parts of the state have suffered from worker shortages, with officials citing a variety of factors that include burnout as well as vaccine requirements. Financial struggles have also affected some of the state’s healthcare networks.
Hochul sought to increase the number of nurses in New York through incentives as well as increase the number of workers in the sector by 20% over the next five years.
But the most immediate concern was the expiration of the executive order in May and the necessary extension for those without a state license.
“Healthcare workforce challenges are nothing new, but it is clear that the pandemic has accelerated its pace,” said Sen. Toby Ann Staviski. “By adjusting our health care requirements to allow out-of-state nurses and physicians to practice in New York, we have been better able to meet the challenges posed by COVID-19. If we allow this executive order to be overturned, we risk a statewide health care crisis. Allowing those Qualified professionals by continuing to work will give the country time to grow our workforce internally through expanded educational programs and incentives.”
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