California Telehealth Laws

Does California have a telehealth registration for out-of-state clinicians?

California has no telehealth registration for out-of-state clinicians. Physicians treating patients located in California by telehealth must hold a California license.

• No telehealth-specific registration: a clinician needs the full license or an exception.

Citation: Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 2052

When can an out-of-state clinician treat California patients without a California license?

An out-of-state physician may act in actual consultation with a California licensee. A separate exception lets an eligible out-of-state physician treat, by telehealth only, a patient with an immediately life-threatening disease or condition.

• Exception for consultation with a licensed physician

Citation: Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code §§ 2060, 2052.5

Can a patient relationship start by telehealth in California?

The prior examination needed before prescribing does not have to be synchronous and may be done by telehealth, including a self-screening tool or questionnaire, as long as the licensee meets the standard of care.

• Asynchronous care can establish the relationship

Citation: Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 2242(a)

Does California require telehealth consent?

Before delivering care by telehealth, the provider initiating it must tell the patient that telehealth will be used and obtain verbal or written consent. The consent must be documented.

• Verbal or written consent

Citation: Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 2290.5

What limits does California put on prescribing by telehealth?

Prescribing dangerous drugs without an appropriate prior examination and medical indication is unprofessional conduct. The exam may be asynchronous and may use a questionnaire if the standard of care is met. Internet dispensing without such an exam is prohibited.

Citation: Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code §§ 2242, 4067

Does California require its own controlled-substance registration?

Do private payers in California have to cover telehealth?

• Private-payer telehealth coverage law
• Explicit payment parity

Citation: Cal. Health & Safety Code §§ 1374.13, 1374.14; Cal. Ins. Code §§ 10123.85, 10123.855

How does California treat the corporate practice of medicine?

Corporations and other lay entities may not practice medicine or employ physicians to do so. SB 351 (2025), effective Jan. 1, 2026, bars private equity groups and hedge funds from controlling clinical decisions, records, billing and payer contracting in practices they invest in.

• Strong corporate practice restrictions

Does California have a consumer health data law?

A business offering software or hardware, including a mobile app, designed to maintain medical information for consumers or providers is treated as a provider of health care for CMIA purposes and must meet the same confidentiality standards.

• Confidentiality of Medical Information Act (Cal. Civ. Code § 56 et seq.)