RI Senate OKs Medical Licensing Backlog Bill

STATE HOUSE — The Senate today approved legislation introduced by Sen. Peter A. Appollonio Jr. (D-Dist. 29, Warwick) to address the state’s medical licensing backlog, authorizing the Department of Health director to approve back-logged license applications.

The bill is part of a package of legislation introduced in the Senate focused on addressing health care accessibility and affordability.

The bill, (2025-S 0170A) would grant the director of the Department of Health the authority to approve or deny any applications for professional licensure pending before boards of licensure that have been unable to establish a quorum for 30 business days.

“The shortage of primary care physicians in Rhode Island is rapidly becoming an emergency,” said Senator Appollonio. “In order to best address this crisis, we first have to ensure that the system for licensing our health care professionals is efficient and free of snags. This bill will go a long way in making sure that these medical professionals get their licenses expeditiously by removing the unnecessary hurdles that come up when the licensing boards are unable to establish a quorum.”

The measure now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Author: Rob Borkowski

Rob has worked as reporter and editor for several publications, including The Kent County Daily Times and Coventry Courier, before working for Gatehouse in MA then moving home with Patch Media. Now he's publisher and editor of WarwickPost.com. Contact him at editor@warwickpost.com with tips, press releases, advertising inquiries, and concerns.