Hurricane Helene has had a devastating impact on communities in Western North Carolina. In response to the Governor’s State of Emergency orders, the North Carolina Medical Board has activated the Limited Emergency License to help facilitate medical professionals volunteering their time and skills to help communities in need.
Physicians and physician assistants with a full North Carolina license are able to volunteer without obtaining a volunteer license. Note that PAs who provide volunteer medical services DO need a supervising physician per NC law. Licensees should check in with the NC Department of Public Safety’s Hurricane Helene relief page for volunteer needs before arriving in the region. Under no circumstances should volunteers self-report to any location to participate in relief efforts.
Visit Volunteer NC to sign up for disaster volunteer opportunities.
For out of state physicians and PAs that do not currently have a license in North Carolina, there are two easy pathways to temporary licensure under the emergency policy. Visit www.ncmedboard.org/disaster for more information.
Additional links of interest:
Western NC Devastated by Helene, NCMS Responds With Outreach for Volunteers, Special Donations