How do boards regulate telepractice or telehealth?

• A. By issuing only non-binding guidelines for remote care.
• B. By setting licensure requirements, practice standards, and cross-jurisdictional rules for remote care.
• C. By banning telehealth in all circumstances.
• D. By delegating telepractice regulation to individual practitioners.

Answer: (B)

Telepractice regulation rests on three pillars: licensure requirements, practice standards, and cross-jurisdictional rules. Licensure ensures a provider has demonstrated the necessary education, training, and competence to deliver remote care. Practice standards spell out what is expected in telehealth encounters—including appropriate assessments, treatment planning, informed consent, privacy and security of data, documentation, and follow-up—so care remains safe and consistent even when delivered remotely. Cross-jurisdictional rules address where the patient is located versus where the provider is licensed, enabling legitimate care across borders through multi-state agreements or compacts, temporary waivers, or other frameworks. Together, these elements protect patients, set clear expectations for remote care, and hold practitioners accountable in telehealth settings.