Delaware Law Affecting Your Practice

Requirements to Maintain Medical  Licenses and Certifications in Delaware

MEDICAL LICENSES 
  • Physician M.D., Physician D.O., Physician Assistant, Acupuncture Practitioner, and Genetic Counselor licenses expire on March 31 of odd-numbered years (2015, 2017, etc.). 
  • Physicians must have completed 40 hours of accredited Continuing Medical Education during each licensing period.
  • Physicians are required to attest that they have completed a mandatory training offered by the state of Delaware on how to recognize child sexual and physical abuse and exploitation, domestic violence, and physician's reporting obligations under the Medical Practice Act during each 2-year licensing period.
CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE REGISTRATION
One Hour of Delaware-Specific Education
  • Completion of one hour of Delaware-specific education pertaining to the prescribing and distribution of controlled substances prior to June 30, 2015. Content for the education must be approved by the State.
  • This is a one-time requirement needed only for the 2015 renewal.
  • New prescribers applying for Controlled Substance Registrations after June 30, 2015 must complete the one-hour Delaware-specific training prior to obtaining a Delaware CSR
Two Hours of Non-Delaware -Specific Education
  • CSR holders must complete an additional two hours of non-Delaware-specific education starting with the renewal period July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2017, and biennially thereafter. Required education must be completed within the corresponding renewal period.
  • Education should be in the areas of controlled substance prescribing practices, treatment of chronic pain, other topics related to the prescribing of controlled substances.
  • Education Offerings for non-Delaware-specific education
Prescription Monitoring Program
CERTIFIED MEDICAL EXAMINERS
  • Effective May 21, 2014, all interstate Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) drivers seeking or wanting to maintain a valid medical examiner's certificate (ME Certificate) for a Commercial Drivers License (CDL) must use a Medical Examiner (ME) listed on the US Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (National Registry) for the required examination. 
  • Certified Medical Examiners must complete training concerning FMCSA’s physical qualification standards and pass a test to verify an understanding of those standards. Certification must be repeated every 10 years.
WORKERS' COMPENSATION CERTIFIED HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS
  • To be certified in the Delaware Workers' Compensation Health Care Payment System, professionals need to complete a Continuing Education course. Professionals are required to repeat the course prior before the end of each two-year cycle tied to the time of professional license renewal.
  • The regulations for Facilities That Perform Invasive Medical Procedures were published in the February 1, 2014 Register of Regulations and became effective on February 11, 2014.
  • All facilities that perform invasive medical procedures in which the accepted standard of care requires anesthesia, major conduction anesthesia or sedation as defined in the regulations, including all facilities that perform surgical abortions, must comply with the Facilities That Perform Invasive Medical Procedures regulations.
  • Facilities that perform procedures in which the procedure itself meets the regulatory definition of anesthesia (i.e. pain management procedure such as spinals, epidurals, etc.) are required to comply with the Facilities That Perform Invasive Medical Procedures regulations.
  • State law mandates that Facilities That Perform Invasive Medical Procedures register and submit proof of the facility’s accreditation by an approved accrediting body, to the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) within 12 months of the first day of operation of such facility.
  • The registration form and list of approved accreditation organizations can be found at: http://www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dltcrp/ohflcmain.html
DE LAWS AFFECTING YOUR PRACTICE