MaineMaine will place physician licensing under one shared board
Starting January 1, 2027, one Maine board will license and oversee physicians and physician associates while their professions remain distinct.
What it does
Starting January 1, 2027, one board will handle licensing and oversight for Maine’s physicians and physician associates. The law keeps the three professions distinct, and current licenses remain valid until they expire.
The Governor appoints a 22-member board with seats for both types of physicians, physician associates, and the public. Members serve five-year terms, with limits on reappointment.
The former boards’ licensing work moves to the new board, including pending complaints and investigations. Current staff keep their existing employment rights and benefits.
Argument forOne board could coordinate licensing and oversight for all three professions while keeping their licenses and professional identities distinct.
Argument againstA single board could make it harder for each profession to shape licensing decisions around its own needs, even with seats set aside for all three groups.
More detail
The law establishes the Maine Board of Medicine to license and oversee physicians and physician associates. The board covers allopathic physicians, osteopathic physicians, and physician associates in Maine. Their professions remain distinct. The new board takes over on January 1, 2027. Current licenses remain in effect until their expiration dates.
The Governor appoints a 22-member Maine Board of Medicine. The board has six allopathic physicians, six osteopathic physicians, four physician associates, and six public members. Members must live in Maine. Physician members must hold a valid license and have practiced in Maine for five continuous years before appointment. Public members may not have a financial interest in the medical profession or have held a license to practice medicine or render medical services. Members serve five-year terms. A person who has served ten years or more cannot be reappointed.
The Maine Board of Medicine takes over the former boards’ licensing and regulatory work. The transition covers the former Board of Licensure in Medicine and Board of Osteopathic Licensure and their work related to licensing and regulating physicians and physician associates. Existing rules and contracts continue until they are changed or end under their terms. The transfer of funds requires the Governor’s approval. The transition takes effect January 1, 2027. Existing rules and contracts continue until changed or ended.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 16Signed by Governor Janet MillsLatest
- Apr 13PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.Passed 2nd Chamber
- Apr 13Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
- Apr 13PASSED TO BE ENACTED.Became Law
- Apr 13ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
- Apr 13The House RECEDED and CONCURRED to PASSAGE TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-1025) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-659) thereto.Minor
- Apr 13Sent down for concurrence
- Apr 13Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (H-1025) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-659) thereto In NON-CONCURRENCEMinor
- Apr 13Committee Amendment "A" (H-1025) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-659) thereto ADOPTED.Minor
- Apr 13On motion by Senator BAILEY of York Senate Amendment "A" (S-659) to Committee Amendment "A" (H-1025) READ and ADOPTED
- Apr 13Committee Amendment "A" (H-1025) READ.
- Apr 13READ ONCEMinor
- Apr 13Report READ and ACCEPTED.
- Apr 8Reported Out - OTP-AM
- Apr 8Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
- Apr 8The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-1025).Minor
- Apr 8Under suspension of the rules CONSENT CALENDAR - SECOND DAY.
- Apr 8CONSENT CALENDAR - FIRST DAY
- Mar 25Voted - OTP-AM
- Mar 25Work Session Held
- Mar 17Bill and accompanying papers REFERRED to the Committee on HEALTH COVERAGE, INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES, in concurrence.Minor
- Mar 17Report READ and ACCEPTED, in concurrence.
- Mar 12Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
- Mar 12The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on HEALTH COVERAGE, INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES.Minor
- Mar 12Report was READ and ACCEPTED.
- Mar 12Representative MATHIESON for the Joint Standing Committee on Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services pursuant to Joint Order 2025, H.P. 1486 reports that the Bill be REFERRED to the Committee on HEALTH COVERAGE, INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES and printed pursuant to Joint Rule 218.Introduced
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