Verified October 8, 2026 against the statutes and regulations cited below. Research, not legal advice. All states
What operators miss in North Dakota
- The out-of-state follow-up exception runs one year at a time: after a year, the patient must be seen in a state where the physician is licensed before telehealth resumes.
- Exempt out-of-state physicians still consent to North Dakota Board of Medicine jurisdiction and discipline by treating a patient located in the state.
Does North Dakota have a telehealth registration for out-of-state clinicians?
North Dakota has no telehealth-specific registration or license. Out-of-state physicians need a North Dakota license or the IMLC unless a narrow exception in the Board of Medicine rules applies.
- No telehealth-specific registration: a clinician needs the full license or an exception.
Citation: N.D. Admin. Code ch. 50-02-15; N.D. Cent. Code § 43-17-02.3
When can an out-of-state clinician treat North Dakota patients without a North Dakota license?
A physician licensed elsewhere may continue care by telehealth for a North Dakota resident whose relationship began in the physician's licensed state, for up to one year before an in-person encounter is required. Exceptions also cover patients temporarily in the state, care before a scheduled in-person visit, consults requested by a North Dakota physician, and emergencies.
- Exception for follow-up care with an existing patient
- Exception for consultation with a licensed physician
Citation: N.D. Admin. Code § 50-02-15-03
Can a patient relationship start by telehealth in North Dakota?
The relationship may be established entirely by telemedicine if the exam is equivalent to an in-person exam, such as secure video or store-and-forward with needed peripherals. A static online questionnaire or an audio conversation alone does not meet the standard of care.
- Audio-only cannot establish the relationship
- Asynchronous care can establish the relationship
Citation: N.D. Cent. Code § 43-17-44
Does North Dakota require telehealth consent?
No general telemedicine consent rule for physicians was found. Physical therapy consultations require written or verbal consent, and optometry rules set minimum informed-consent content.
Citation: N.D. Admin. Code §§ 61.5-01-02-01, 43-13-13.2 (profession-specific)
What limits does North Dakota put on prescribing by telehealth?
A licensee who performs a compliant telemedicine exam may prescribe at their discretion. Opioids may be prescribed by telemedicine only as FDA-approved treatment for opioid use disorder, and controlled-substance prescribers must participate in the state PDMP.
- Questionnaire-only prescribing is prohibited
- Opioids only for FDA-approved medication treatment of opioid use disorder; PDMP participation required (N.D. Admin. Code § 50-02-15-02).
Citation: N.D. Cent. Code § 43-17-44; N.D. Admin. Code § 50-02-15-02
Does North Dakota require its own controlled-substance registration?
Anyone who dispenses controlled substances in North Dakota must obtain an annual registration from the Board of Pharmacy, in addition to DEA registration.
- Required, issued by North Dakota State Board of Pharmacy
Do private payers in North Dakota have to cover telehealth?
- Private-payer telehealth coverage law
- No payment parity law
Citation: N.D. Cent. Code § 26.1-36-09.15
How does North Dakota treat the corporate practice of medicine?
Adding North Dakota to your telehealth practice?
A State Expansion Pack applies North Dakota's rules to your service line and lists what changes in your workflow before the first visit.