Coronavirus and State/Provincial Telehealth Guidelines
This guideline contains information pertaining to teletherapy laws at the state-level, including any waivers to certain teletherapy requirements and policies regarding insurance reimbursement for teletherapy. Not all states have regulations; updates will be made to this page as new information is received. This information can change rapidly.
United States
Medicaid waivers
America’s Health Insurance Plans listing of how insurers are adjusting to COVID-19, including information for how Blue Cross is adjusting in various states.
Alabama
Teletherapy prerequisite training requirement: Effective March 27, 2020, the Alabama MFT licensure board is allowing LMFTs and associates, during the emergency period, to conduct teletherapy and telesupervision before completing the necessary requirements under the Alabama MFT rules (Section 536-X-8-.09) as long as licensees can produce evidence of continuing to complete training that counts toward the 15 hours of training required under Section 536-X-8-.09. See the licensure board's
memo for details.
HIPAA compliance (3/27/20): The Alabama MFT licensure board "strongly recommends" that licensees follow HIPAA guidelines for teletherapy, even in light of the
recent relaxation of HIPAA standards by HHS.
Continuing Education (3/27/20): All continuing education hours can be earned through distance learning through March 31, 2021.
Alabama Medicaid
original extension of telemedicine coverage (3/18/2020), as well as the
recent extension of COVID-19 policy changes through August 31st.
Alaska
Teletherapy prerequisite training requirement: Alaska law requires four hours of initial training before commencing with teletherapy.
Alaska’s Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing has a page dedicated to updates on mandates for professional licensees, here.
Alaska's Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development statement on regulatory changes (4/27/2020). This statement allows out-of-state MFT license holders to practice in Alaska through November 15th, or another date depending on the length of the current emergency. This statement also allows continuing education requirements for license renewal to be completed "through distance means," through December 31st, 2020.
Alaska's Department of Health and Social Services frequently asked questions on the expansion of telehealth options covered by Medicaid.
Adopted emergency regulations by the Board of Marital and Family Therapy (5/8/2020)
Marital and Family Therapist Emergency Courtesy License Application (4/27/2020)
Arizona
The Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners have compiled telehealth resources and information for licensees
here .
Executive Order Expanding Telemedicine Coverage (3/25/20): Executive Order 20-15 requires insurance plans regulated by the state to cover telehealth, and requires that reimbursement rates for providers be no lower than the rate for the same service performed in-person.
Arkansas
Executive Order Suspending Telehealth Specialization License (3/13/20): Executive Order 20-05 suspends requirement that LMFTs and LPCs must have specialized license before providing teletherapy. This license is not required during the emergency. Read the
executive order FAQ for additional information.
Summary of Arkansas State Orders Pertaining to the Emergency.
California
BBS Waivers/Updates on COVID-19: The California Board of Behavioral Services has updated their COVID-19 information page with a list of waivers and updates regarding behavioral health practice. The list includes information on telehealth practice requirements, continuing education and renewal requirement waivers, information for therapists with an out-of-state license, and more.
Colorado
DORA Notice Waiving Endorsement for Out-of-state licensees (3/18/20): Note that application of this provision for LMFTs is unknown.
CO Bulletin Regarding Teletherapy (3/17/20): State “recommends that the initial consultation be face to face. However, it is at the discretion of the mental health professional as to the type of modality of treatment format that is appropriate for the client - especially in light of recent guidance given by the CDC and other public health organizations.”
Guidelines for Providers not Currently Licensed in Colorado
Connecticut
Order from the CT Department of Public Health (3/23/20): Allows health providers (including MFTs) licensed in another state, in good standing, to practice in Connecticut for 60 days.
Governor’s executive order wherein adjusted guidelines for Telehealth are contained.
Governor’s order pertaining to changes for license renewals.
Connecticut Medical Assistance Program expanded telemedicine announcement.
Delaware
Joint Order of the Department of Health and Social Services and the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (3/24/20): Allows out-of-state health care providers, and providers with expired or lapsed Delaware licenses, to practice in Delaware, and also allows mental health providers to practice via telemedicine.
Division of Professional Regulation Guidance on Continuing Education Requirements (3/19/20)
For more information on how COVID-19 impacts Delaware licensees, please visit the Division of Professional Regulations' Guide to Information page on COVID-19.
District of Columbia
In response to COVID-19, DC Health has waived all licensure requirements for practitioners who are licensed in good standing in another jurisdiction. You can read more about the waiver process HERE.
Florida
Teletherapy for MFT Associates (3/19/20): On March 19, the licensure board issued an emergency rule that allows registered interns to provide teletherapy services to existing clients during the next 90 days. See the
text of the rule for additional details. Additional telehealth guidelines can be found
here.
Georgia
GAMFT Information on COVID-10 : The Georgia Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, AAMFT's affiliate, has collected many great resources pertaining to teletherapy and COVID-19 on its webpage. Georgia MFTs are advised to start by looking at the GAMFT site.
Teletherapy prerequisite training requirement : Effective April 17, 2020, the Georgia licensure board has temporarily modified the teletherapy prerequisite training requirements, as found in Georgia law (
Rule 135-11-.01), to only require one (1) hour of telemental health overview training prior to the commencing of the delivery of telemental health services or supervision. The balance of the six (6) continuing education hours required by Rule 135-11-.01 must be obtained within six (6) weeks of the date when the provider first engaged in telemental health services or supervision. This modification applies to MFTs, associate MFTs, social workers and counselors licensed in Georgia. This modification expires 120 days after the effective date.
Continuing Education – For the 2018-2020 renewal cycle, there are no limits on the number of hours of continuing education that can be obtained online. See the Georgia licensure board's
website for additional details.
Hawaii
Idaho
Telehealth Guidelines (2016)
Illinois
Executive Order regarding Teletherapy Coverage & Use of Technology Platforms (3/19/20): Executive Order requires state-regulated insurers to reimburse for teletherapy services provided by licensed mental health providers. This order also aligns Illinois law with the notification of revised HIPAA standards that was issued by the federal government.
BlueCross/BlueShield statement on expanded Telehealth response (Including family psychotherapy)
Indiana
Executive Order Pertaining to Out-of-State Providers and Telehealth During COVID-19 Emergency (3/19/20): An executive order allows individuals who hold current licenses as an LMFT or other healthcare licenses in another state to provide services in Indiana during the emergency. The order also explicitly states that mental health professionals can practice via telemedicine.
State Covid-19 resources and Telehealth requirements located here.
Continuing education renewal application, extended through June 25th, possible additional updates coming.
Iowa
Iowa Board of Behavioral Science Guidance Related to Gov. Reynold's Proclamations & COVID-19
Iowa state Bureau of Professional Licensure statement on active licenses.
Kansas
Behavioral Science Regulatory Board Statement on Teletherapy: Statement on providing teletherapy in Kansas.
Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board update of telehealth hours. Extended license renewal effective for 90 days starting from June 30th.
Kentucky
Teletherapy prerequisite training requirement: On March 31, 2020, the Kentucky MFT licensure board suspended the MFT rule,
201 KAR 32:110, that required LMFTs and associates to first take 15 hours of licensure board-approved training prior to commencing with teletherapy with clients. This rule is suspended for the duration of the emergency in Kentucky.
See the licensure board's
memo for details.
Regarding associates, this Kentucky MFT Board, by emergency rule, will allow associates to perform telehealth once they have met the 15 hours of training requirement stated above.
Supervision: According to the licensure board at its March 19th meeting, supervision can be conducted online during this emergency. Contact the
licensure board for additional details.
Louisiana
Teletherapy Regulations Rescinded: The licensure board for LMFTs and LMHCs has rescinded teletherapy regulations.
Summary of Licensure Board’s Actions (3/20/2020): At its March 20th meeting, the licensure board for LMFTs and LMHCs waived the live requirement for continuing education and made some other changes pertaining to the current situation.
State Provisions have been extended through July 24th, with additional extensions likely.
Maine
State of Maine Professional and Financial Regulation COVID-19 update page.
Maryland
Out-of state therapists’ allowance to practice during COVID-19 emergency.
Maryland Health Care Commission Telehealth updates for pandemic
Maryland HCC overview of telehealth.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts MassHealth Frequently asked questions for Behavioral Health during COVID-19.
Massachusetts Governor’s order for temporary Out-of-State providers licenses.
Massachusetts renewal deadlines have been extended through October.
Michigan
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs updates for COVID-19.
Minnesota
Minnesota Board of Marriage and Family Therapy COVID-19 Updates (3/24/20): The licensure board has released an update on how COVID-19 impacts licensees.
Minnesota's Board allows licensed out of state MFTs to conduct teletherapy within the state after registering with the Board. Please click here for updates regarding the status of the executive order.
Mississippi
Mississippi State Board of Examiners for Social Work Marriage Family Therapists current proclamation on out-of-state telehealth and form for temporary license.
Standards for Use of Technology in Practice
Missouri
Missouri Department of Mental Health updates and resources on COVID-19.
Montana
Montana Board of Behavioral Health COVID-19 FAQs (3/17/20): The licensure board has created answers to commonly asked questions by mental health providers pertaining to MFTs.
Montana Insurers Expanding Telehealth Coverage: Bulletin from the state insurance commissioner stating that four large state insurance companies are covering telehealth services.
Governor's Orders 2-2020 and 3-2020 easing the restrictions on telehealth, and providing for the use, delivery, and reimbursement of telemedicine and telehealth services. Will be removed when Montana is no longer in a state of emergency.
Nebraska
Executive Order on Additional Healthcare Workforce Capacity (3/27/20): Executive Order 20-10 temporarily allows out-of-state licensed mental health practitioners in good standing practice in Nebraska, and suspends continuing education and licensure fee requirements, among other things. Will continue until 30 days after the state of emergency is lifted.
Department of Health and Human Services COVID-19 telehealth FAQs.
Blue Cross updates for Nebraska, including telehealth updates.
Provisional license form and information for those who met all other requirements, but were unable to complete the examination due to the pandemic. Can be applied for until 12/31/2020, with certain requirements and restrictions.
Continuing Competency FAQs and requirements for those wishing to renew their licensure. At this time, no date for when this waiver process ends has been given.
Nevada
Nevada Licensure Board Statement on Teletherapy
Governor’s order on new procedures for licensing and regulations on waiving certain license requirements. Valid until the end of the state of emergency, and some regulatory changes within will not be suspended until 60 days after the end of the state of emergency, or until other updates have been given.
New Hampshire
Emergency Order on Expansion of Access to Telehealth Services (3/18/20): Emergency Order #8, pursuant to Executive Order 20-04, allows health care providers (including MFTs) to perform services using telehealth, and requires insurance plans regulated by the state to cover telehealth services as well as reimburse providers at a rate no lower than the rate for the same service performed in-person. The full list of Emergency Orders and Executive Orders have been extended along with the state of emergency a number of times. These orders and waivers expire when the state of emergency ends.
The New Hampshire Board of Mental Health Practice provides a link to Emergency Order #29 Exhibit H, which states that certain continuing education requirements for licensed professionals have been waived, and that those requirements have been waived for those seeking to renew their license between March 13th 2020 and December 31st 2020.
New Jersey
Out-of-State Healthcare Providers Can Offer Services to New Jersey Residents During COVID-19 Emergency (3/20/20): The State of New Jersey is allowing individuals who hold current licenses as an LMFT or other healthcare licenses in good standing in other states and have been practicing within the last five years, will be able to secure a license in New Jersey by completing a simple form. Additional information for
out-of-state providers. These temporary licenses are valid for 180 days after completion.
Temporary waiver of telemedicine rules to allow healthcare practitioners to more easily provide care via telemedicine. The expiration of this order is congruent with Executive Order #103, which appears to be whenever the state of emergency ends, or when the Governor announces the end of Order #103.
New Mexico
Visit the New Mexico Counseling and Therapy Practice Board's website for a list of public notices that impact the MFT license.
New York
New York State Office of Mental Health: Complete list of state guidelines that apply to behavioral health providers in New York.
Please see New York's Office of the Professions for information on current Executive Orders (EO 202.15) waiving licensure for out of state LMFTs. Please contact the New York's Office of the Professions for more information.
State Announcement of tele-health copay waivers.
Office of the Professions COVID-19 updates.
North Carolina
NCAMFT Information on COVID-19 : The North Carolina Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, AAMFT's affiliate in North Carolina, has collected many great resources pertaining to teletherapy and COVID-19 on its webpage. MFTs are advised to start by looking at the NCAMFT site.
North Carolina MFT Board FAQs: The licensure board has created answers to commonly asked questions by MFTs.
Teletherapy Medicaid Guidelines from NC Medicaid .
Out-of-State Healthcare Providers Can Offer Services to North Carolina Residents During COVID-19 Emergency (3/10/20): An executive order allows individuals who hold current licenses as an LMFT or other healthcare licenses in another state to provide services in North Carolina during the emergency.
North Dakota
Behavioral Health Human Services COVID-19 guidance on telehealth.
Ohio
The licensure board for LMFTs, LMHCs and LCSWs contains a webpage with extensive information concerning upcoming teletherapy rules, supervision, out-of-state providers, and other issues pertaining to practice issues. Please click
here for more information .
State of emergency guidelines on telehealth.
Oklahoma
State Board of Behavioral Health Notice Regarding CoVID-19 and Teletherapy
Oregon
Oregon LMFT LMHC Licensure Board FAQs: The licensure board for MFTs and MHCs has created answers to commonly asked questions by MFTs. This website will be updated daily.
Pennsylvania
In-person Continuing Education Requirements Suspended (3/22/20): Emergency rules now allow all continuing education to be earned online during the emergency period.
In-person Supervision Requirements Suspended (3/22/20): Emergency rules now allow all supervision to be completed by electronic means during the emergency period. See
here for summary of all licensure board-related emergency orders.
Rhode Island
Governor’s executive order on Telehealth.
BHDDH State Resources
South Carolina
Guidelines from the South Carolina Licensure Board: The licensure board for MFTs is now allowing continuing education providers to offer their trainings online during the emergency. In addition, MFTs licensed as an MFT in another state can provide therapy services online to established clients who are residing in South Carolina during this emergency.
South Dakota
Governor’s Executive Order on Telehealth restrictions being lifted for duration of pandemic, located here.
Tennessee
List of Executive Orders
TennCare Behavioral Health
telehealth guidance and updates related to Covid-19
Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
Covid-19 page and updates.
Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services c
ommonly asked questions and answers for mental health providers.
Texas
Emergency Rule on Telehealth Reimbursement: (3/17/20): The emergency rule requires insurers regulated under state law to pay MFTs and other healthcare providers the same rate for teletherapy services as for in-person services, cover telehealth services under any platform allowed under state law, and not require any additional documentation over and above documentation required for in-person services. The text of the rule can be found
here.
Waiver related to Telehealth for LMFTs and LMFT-As from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. This order from the Office of the Governor allows LMFTs and associates to provide telehealth services to clients immediately without additional training during the COVID-19 state emergency period. The announcement waives rules that require training prior to providing telehealth services.
Utah
Continuing Education Requirements (3/25/20): The State has suspended the requirement that licensees must receive "live" continuing education for all licensees with licenses that expire between now and October 1, 2020.
Vermont
Guidance from the Office of Professional Regulation (3/23/20): Emergency guidance for Vermont licensed mental health providers on supervision, and the allowance of virtual supervision for students and pre-licensed providers working towards their experience hours.
Virginia
Licensure Board COVID-19 Information : The licensure board has a webpage listing COVID-19 information for LMFTs and LMHCs.
Washington
Governor's Proclamation on Telemedicine (3/25/20): Proclamation 20-29 mandates health carriers regulated by the state to cover telemedicine services performed by in-network providers, and mandates payment parity between services performed through telemedicine and in-person.
Governor's Proclamation on Healthcare Worker Licensing (3/26/20): Proclamation 20-32 suspends certain licensing requirements for health care workers (including MFTs) related to continuing education and license renewals.
West Virginia
Licensure Board COVID-19 Information : The licensure board lists COVID-19 information for LMFTs and LMHCs on its homepage.
Wisconsin
COVID-19 Information for Healthcare Providers.
Wyoming
Wyoming COVID-19 Telehealth Information .
Canada
Alberta
Information for Alberta MFTs and other Mental Health Providers.
British Columbia
Nova Scotia
Ontario
College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario FAQs: The college that regulates psychotherapists in Ontario has developed FAQs pertaining to the COVID-19 emergency.
Quebec
Saskatchewan
Yukon