Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts has issued an executive order extending an earlier order expanding the pool of healthcare professionals in specific fields to June 30, 2023.
Ricketts, who leaves office next week, says he consulted with Governor-Elect Jim Pillen before issuing the executive order.
Among its provisions, the order suspends various statutes to allow new healthcare providers awaiting license examination results to begin practice under a temporary provisional license, as long as they have completed all other requirements.
It also defers requirements for face-to-face and direct, onsite training with a supervisor and for in-person client contact hours as part of their training while allowing increased use of remote alternatives to complete training needed to obtain a license.
Ricketts says the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services will work with the Legislature during next year’s session to make the changes permanent by adding them to state law.