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Also: New Executive Orders
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Attention: Recent Chiropractic College Graduates!
Thanks to Decisive MAC Action, State of Michigan Waives Part IV Exam for Graduates Who Are Only Missing This Exam to Finalize Application to Practice

As you may know, Michigan Executive Order 2020-150 allows the Michigan Bureau of Professional Licensing (BPL) to waive “An exam, to the extent that the exam’s administration has been canceled while the [COVID-19 pandemic] emergency declaration is in effect.” At the beginning of the pandemic, the requirement for chiropractic graduates wishing to practice in Michigan to pass the NBCE’s Part IV examination was waived. Unfortunately, the State issued guidance recently that the requirement was reinstated, because NBCE was once again scheduling Part IV examinations.

In a meeting with Brian DeBano, Director of BPL’s Licensing Division, MAC Executive Director Kristine Dowell explained that Part IV was cancelled in all locations in May, and students were unable to be moved to other locations. After talking with Dr. Norman Ouzts, Chief Operating Officer of the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners, Mr. DeBano confirmed this information. In a letter dated August 7, the MAC received word that, given this new information, the State of Michigan will once again waive the Part IV exam for those seeking licensure who are only missing this exam to finalize their application.

Those receiving a license whose exam was waived during the state of emergency will be required to take and pass Part IV in order to keep his/her license after the state of emergency expires. Licensees in this situation will be given six months from the end of the declared state of emergency to take and pass the exam. Failure to do this will result in the license being null and void and no longer in effect.

More information can be found in the BPL’s Exam Waiver Guidance document, available here. To see the letter from Mr. DeBano to MAC Executive Director, click here.

Governor Whitmer Extends State of Emergency Until September 4th
Another New Executive Order Also Reinstates Protections for Michigan Workers During COVID-19 Pandemic

On Friday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed two executive orders. Executive Order 2020-165 extends the governor’s emergency and disaster declaration until September 4, 2020 at 11:59pm. Executive Order 2020-166 reinstates protections for Michigan workers as the state continues to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

Executive Order 2020-165
Keep in mind: The extension of the state of emergency does not mean that a “stay at home” order has been reinstated. The latest “stay at home” order expired June 1st and has not been reinstated. A state of emergency by itself places no new restrictions on Michigan citizens; instead, it authorizes the governor to issue such orders during the pandemic.

Section 3 of the order states: “[I]t is the public policy of this state that any and all people who have had close contact [defined as being within six feet of an individual for fifteen minutes] with an individual who tests positive for COVID-19 or with an individual who displays one or more of the principal symptoms of COVID-19 should remain in their home or place of residence (apart from seeking medical care) until either: (a) 14 days have passed since the last close contact with the sick or symptomatic individual; or (b) The individual displaying COVID-19 symptoms receives a negative COVID-19 test.”

Under the order, section 3 does not apply to health care professionals. However, based on the definitions contained in the order, our interpretation is that it does apply to non-health care professional employees in physician offices.

Executive Order 2020-166
Under 2020-166, Governor Whitmer prohibits employers from discharging, disciplining, or retaliating against employees who make the choice to stay home when they or their close contacts are sick. Employers must treat employees who stay home when they are sick as if he or she were taking medical leave.

Under the order, all Michiganders who test positive for COVID-19 or who display one or more of the principal symptoms, such as a fever, sore throat, a new uncontrolled cough that causes difficulty breathing, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, severe headache, and new loss of taste or smell should stay home. Individuals must remain home until 24 hours have passed since the resolution of fever without medication or 10 days have passed since their symptoms first appeared or were tested positive. The order also states that if an individual has a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 or has had close contact with a confirmed positive case they should only leave their home for essential trips, to obtain food, medicine, or medical care. Additionally, they may leave to partake in an outdoor activity, such as walking, hiking, running, cycling, or any other recreational activity consistent with remaining at least six feet from others. 

The MAC recommends that all chiropractic practices familiarize themselves with this order.

Sources:
Governor Gretchen Whitmer Press Release, “Governor Whitmer Extends Declaration of Emergency As Michigan Continues to Fight COVID-19,” August 7, 2020
Text of Executive Order 2020-165
Governor Gretchen Whitmer Press Release, “Governor Whitmer Takes Action to Protect Michigan Workers After the Federal Government Allowed Unemployment Benefits to Lapse,” August 7, 2020
Text of Executive Order 2020-166
 
 
 
 

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