If you’re a Massachusetts-licensed healthcare provider who is seeking to certify Qualifying Patients for the medical use of marijuana, you must register with the Program.

A Certifying Healthcare Provider must be a Massachusetts-licensed physician, certified nurse practitioner (CNP) or physician assistant (PA) and must meet the following criteria:

Physicians (medical doctor or doctor of osteopathy)

• Must hold an active full license with no prescribing restrictions.
• Must hold a Massachusetts Controlled Substances Registration (MCSR).
• Must have at least one established physical practice in Massachusetts.

CNPs

• Must hold an active full license with no prescribing restrictions to practice nursing in Massachusetts.
• Must have board authorization by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing to practice as a CNP in Massachusetts.
• Must hold a Massachusetts Controlled Substances Registration (MCSR).
• Must have at least one established physical practice in Massachusetts.

PAs

• Must be a Massachusetts-licensed PA.
• Must hold an active full license with no prescribing restrictions.
• Must hold a board authorization by the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Physician Assistants to practice as a PA.
• Must hold a Massachusetts Controlled Substances Registration (MCSR).
• Must have at least one established place of practice in Massachusetts.

Once a Certifying Healthcare Provider is registered in the Medical Use of Marijuana Program Online System (Online System), they retain the ability to certify a Qualifying Patient indefinitely, unless any of the following occurs:

• The Certifying Healthcare Providers license to practice medicine in Massachusetts is suspended, revoked, or restricted with regard to prescribing.
• The Certifying Healthcare Provider has voluntarily agreed not to practice medicine in Massachusetts.
• The Certifying Healthcare Providers MCSR is revoked or suspended.
• The Certifying Healthcare Provider fraudulently issues a written certification.
• The Certifying Healthcare Provider surrenders their registration.
• The Certifying Healthcare Provider has certified a Qualifying Patient without completing the required continuing medical education, as described in section 501.010(1) the regulations.

Continuing Education Requirements for Certifying Healthcare Providers

All Certifying Healthcare Providers must complete continuing professional development credits that correspond to their professional licensure prior to issuing certifications for medical use of marijuana. The continuing education program must explain the proper use of marijuana, including side effects, dosage, and contraindications, including with psychotropic drugs, as well as on substance abuse recognition, diagnosis, and treatment related to marijuana.

A Certifying Physician shall have completed a minimum of 2.0 Category 1 continuing professional development credits as defined under Board of Registration in Medicine regulations for continuing education as defined in 243 CMR 2.06(6)(a)1.

A Certifying Nurse Practitioner shall have completed a minimum of one program meeting the requirements for continuing education of Board of Registration in Nursing as defined under 244 CMR 5.00: and 244 CMR 6.00:

A Certifying Physician Assistant shall have completed a minimum of one program meeting the requirements for Physicians Assistant’s License Renewal as defined under 263 CMR 3.05(3).

Contact

Do you have questions about becoming a Certifying Healthcare Provider with the Massachusetts Medical Use of Marijuana Program? Contact the Commission at (774) 415-0200 or Commission@CCCMass.com.