Ducey extends medical licenses, key to virus emergency end

(KYMA, KECY/ AP News) - Governor Doug Ducey has signed legislation that will prevent temporary medical licenses from immediately becoming invalid if he ends the Coronavirus state of emergency he issued two years ago.

This action makes temporary licenses valid until the end of the year if they were active at the start of this month.

Currently, more than 2,200 licenses remain active, including about 1,200 issued to nurses.

A waiver issued by the Department of Health Services under Ducey’s emergency order allowed doctors, nurses and other qualified health professionals to be licensed even if they lack current training or other requirements for an Arizona license.

Now, extending the temporary licenses means people can keep their jobs and hospitals and other health care facilities can keep their staff.