DC HEALTH HAS MOVED! On February 23, 2024, the DC Department of Health (DC Health) relocated. The Health Regulation and Licensing Administration's Processing Center and other offices are located at: DC Health 2201 Shannon Place SE Washington, DC 20020 (The new building is 0.3 miles from the Anacostia Metro)

PROCESSING CENTER Hours:
The Health Regulation and Licensing Administration (HRLA) Processing Center is open to the public Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, 9 am – 1 pm, and Wednesday, 9 am - 3:30 pm (except holidays).

Office Hours:
The HRLA Office Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:15 am - 4:45 pm (except holidays).

Change to the Term of License, Certificate and Registration

Effective Date June 16, 2024

 

Change to the Term of License, Certificate and Registration Effective Date June 16, 2024 DC Health has always operated with fixed renewal windows for each profession. In response to feedback from the health professional community, the Director has moved to change the renewal system to align with each licensee’s month of birth. As such, all applicable licenses, certificates, or registrations issued on or after June 16, 2024, will expire on the last day of the birth month of the license holder. This will apply to all new applicants and will become applicable to licensees renewing later this year. For those renewing, this will not take effect until September 2024. For all current holders of a license, certificate, or registration additional information will be provided at a later date. This authority is pursuant to Chapter 40 Section 4006.3 DCMR Chapter 40 General Rules.

Public Notice Identifying Public Health Issues for Continuing Education

RENEWAL NOTICE     Please note that due to the large number of licensees seeking renewal and the need to complete the required review (of criminal background check, etc.), the issuance of the renewed license is taking longer than expected.      Licensees who submit the renewal application before the expiration date of the license/certification/registration (DECEMBER 31, 2024) are permitted to continue to work while their application is pending. Currently, DC Health is processing the renewal applications from a number of licensees who applied timely for the renewal of their licenses. The subject matters under review vary from Continuing Education compliance to disciplinary history. It is possible that these reviews will continue after the expiration date of December 31, 2024.  However, when the renewal applications are approved, the licenses will be renewed and active as of January 1, 2025.     For individuals who have applied for their renewal prior to the December 31, 2024, deadline, their status will be “Renewal in process – review pending”.  For those who apply after the deadline, their status will be “Expired - renewal eligible".     Licensees may not work beyond February 28, 2025, without an active license.

ALERT: PHONE SCAM DC HEALTH has become aware of a PHISHING PHONE SCAM in which individuals pose as DC Health representatives to request money. Please be advised that DC Health representatives will never contact you with a request for money. FBI Warns Individuals Employed in the Health Care Industry of the Ongoing Scam Involving the Impersonation of Law Enforcement and Government Officials - FBI  fbi.gov

LICENSURE WAIVER PERIOD HAS ENDED: Please review the Important Notices regarding Temporary Licensure Requirements HERE

 

Important Notice regarding Paper Applications (select link): 
DC Health No Longer Accepting Paper Applications (Beginning June 14, 2021)

ONLINE LICENSING APPLICATIONS

DC Health’s online licensing application system is now LIVE. (See link below.)

 

The District of Columbia Department of Health, Health Regulation and Licensing Administration (HRLA) is excited to announce the opening of our new online licensing system. Effective immediately, any healthcare provider who is interested in applying for a new health professional license, or renewing, reinstate, or reactivate an existing license, may do so by going to the below link and submitting an online application. All users are strongly encouraged to review the instructions prior to beginning the process.

https://doh.force.com/dchealthrenewals/s/portal-page

 

If you require assistance from the Board of Chiropractic, please email [email protected]

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***LICENSURE LOOKUP***

As part of the new renewal system, the DC Health is utilizing a licensure lookup system for verification of District licenses.  Individuals can verify the status of a license HERE.

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Mission Statement:

"To serve and protect the public and ensure high standards of acupuncture, chiropractor and naturopathic care and professionalism through best practices in regulation, education and outreach."

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The District of Columbia Board of Acupuncture, Chiropractic and Naturopathic Physicians, a division within the DC Department of Health, Health Regulation and Licensing Administration (HRLA) has the responsibility to regulate the practice of Acupuncture, Chiropractic and Naturopathic Physicians in the District of Columbia. Its mission is to serve and protect the public and ensure high standards of acupuncture, chiropractor and naturopathic care and professionalism through best practices in regulation, education and outreach.

Members of the Board are appointed by the Mayor and serve a three year term for a maximum of three terms. The Board issues a newsletter that provides up-to-date information on the Board's current activities.

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Continuing Education Requirements

As part of the renewal process, regulations have been implemented for all professions under the Board of Acupuncture, Chiropractic, and Naturopathic Physicians which will require licensees to complete at least 10% of their required total continuing education hours in topics identified by the Director of the Department of Health as public health priorities. For example, acupuncturists have a thirty (30) hour requirement so at least five (3) hours must be in a topic designated as a public health priority. The Director of the Department of Health has now issued a notice identifying acceptable public health priorities, a copy of which can be found online HERE.

The current CE requirements are outlined below:

Acupuncturists - Thirty (30) hours of CE, which includes at least two (2) hours of CE in the subject of LGBTQ cultural competency and three (3) must be in a topic designated as a public health priority. For licensees with a certification in Chinese Herbology, at least ten (10) of the total thirty (30) hours need to be in the topic of Chinese herbology.

Chiropractor- Thirty (30) hours of CE, which includes at least two (2) hours of CE in the subject of LGBTQ cultural competency and three (3) must be in a topic designated as a public health priority.

Naturopathic Physician - Thirty (30) hours of CE, which includes at least two (2) hours of CE in the subject of LGBTQ cultural competency and three (3) must be in a topic designated as a public health priority.

The Director of the Department of Health has now issued a notice identifying acceptable public health priorities, a copy of which can be found online HERE.