LARA Requiring Implicit Bias Training Before License Approval, Renewal

For all Michigan-based licensed healthcare professionals, you’ll have some extra steps to take when you renew — or initially obtain — your license. And they are for a crucial reason.

As part of a recommendation from the Coronavirus Task Force on Racial Disparities, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Thursday, July 9th 2020, issued a directive that requires health professionals to take implicit bias training before their license can be issued or renewed.

As the Detroit Free Press reports: “Implicit bias describes prejudices that unknowingly influence thinking and reaction to events and information. Experts say it impacts how Black people and other racial minorities are treated by health professionals and can negatively influence access to COVID-19 tests and other health care services.”

Whitmer noted the “disparate impact the coronavirus and other health issues have on people of color,” and that non-white people “account for about 40% of confirmed coronavirus deaths in Michigan.”

“The evidence shows that training in implicit bias can make a positive difference, so today we are taking action to help improve racial equity across Michigan’s health care system,” Whitmer said.

This is one of many changes LARA has made during the COVID-19 pandemic. In mid-April, Whitmer issued an executive order that gave LARA the authority to renew professional licenses without continuing education fulfillment being a factor.

While the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs noted that the rules could be promulgated within six months to a year, you may want to check with your respective licensing department for any sooner information. The links for license application and renewal are:

• Michigan Acupuncture License Application and Renewal
• Michigan Athletic Training License Application and Renewal
• Michigan Audiology License Application and Renewal
• Michigan Chiropractic License Application and Renewal
• Michigan Counseling License Application and Renewal
• Michigan Dentistry License Application and Renewall
• Michigan Marriage and Family Therapy License Application and Renewal 
• Michigan Massage Therapy License Application and Renewal
• Michigan Medical License Application and Renewal
• Michigan Nursing License Application and Renewal
• Michigan Occupational Therapist License Application and Renewal
• Michigan Optometry License Application and Renewal
• Michigan Osteopathic Medicine License Application and Renewal
• Michigan Pharmacy License Application and Renewal
• Michigan Physical Therapy License Application and Renewal
• Michigan Podiatric Medicine License Application and Renewal
• Michigan Psychology License Application and Renewal
• Michigan Respiratory Care Licensing Application and Renewal
• Michigan Sanitarian License Application and Renewal
• Michigan Social Work License Application and Renewal
• Michigan Speech-Language Pathology License Application and Renewal
• Michigan Veterinary Medicine Licensing Application and Renewal

We are Here for Your Healthcare Professional License Needs

The professional licensing defense attorneys at Chapman Law Group are here to help you with any licensing and regulatory affairs matters you may have. From LARA investigations to drug diversion, and from license defense to administrative hearing representation, our healthcare lawyers have the answers you need.

We work with physicians, nurses, pain management clinics, pharmacists and other licensed healthcare professionals throughout Michigan (Detroit, Troy, Dearborn, Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids and Lansing) and Florida (Miami, West Palm Beach, Orlando, Tampa and Jacksonville). Call us today for a consultation.