The bill amends various sections of the Oklahoma Allopathic Medical and Surgical Licensure and Supervision Act, the Oklahoma Athletic Trainers Act, the Therapeutic Recreation Practice Act, and the Music Therapy Practice Act. Key changes include broadening licensure exemptions, modifying application procedures, and establishing new requirements for special training licenses, which are now referred to as "special licenses." The bill introduces provisions for physician emeritus status, prohibits certain fees, and outlines procedures for emergency suspensions. It also mandates national criminal history background checks for applicants and allows for temporary licensure in various fields. Significant deletions from current law include the removal of specific application requirements, such as the need for a recent photograph and certain documentation related to the applicant's medical education.

Additionally, the bill creates an Athletic Trainers Advisory Committee to advise the State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision on licensure matters for athletic trainers and modifies the licensing process for music therapists, allowing for temporary licenses under specific conditions. It expands the practice of respiratory care to include telemedicine and specifies that any claims of personal injury against practitioners or hospitals must be reported to the appropriate licensing board within sixty days, with failure to report being classified as a misdemeanor. The amendments aim to streamline the licensure process and update existing regulations to better reflect current practices in the medical field, with the changes set to take effect on November 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 59-493.1