Alabama State Board of Medical Examiners
2025 ANNUAL REPORT
PG 2 | ALBME
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
One of the Alabama Board
At the Annual Meeting of the Federation of State Medical
of Medical Examiners’
Boards in Seattle, Washington, two Commission members
most significant
received national appointments and honors. The Board
accomplishments in 2025
proudly congratulates Dr. Jorge Alsip and Dr. Craig
was the publication of
Christopher for exemplifying the agency’s commitment
updated Office-Based
to fairness, empathy, and justice in fulfilling its duty to
Surgery regulations. These
protect the health and safety of Alabama patients.
updates reflect the first
William M. Perkins Executive Director
updates to these regulations in twenty years. The Board began the process to
update the regulations in 2022. Throughout this process, the Board invited, welcomed, and engaged in a robust dialogue with Alabama physicians. At its January 2026 meeting, the Board voted to finalize the proposed rules.
In response to trends and concerns surrounding emerging ketamine and testosterone therapies, the Board convened two physician-led work groups to conduct a comprehensive review of these treatments. As a result, the Board issued guidance to support Alabama physicians in delivering safe, evidence-based, high-quality care.
The Board believes that the current draft, as certified, best
The Alabama Opioid Overdose and Addiction Council’s
strikes the balance between protecting the public and
Prescribers and Dispensers Standing Committee,
avoiding unnecessary regulatory burdens on physicians.
established in 2017, marked a significant milestone
The Board, along with the Medical Licensure Commission, modernized medical licensure applications by refining how mental health questions are addressed. In recognition of this effort, the Board and Commission were named a 2025 Wellbeing First Champion by ALL IN: Wellbeing First for Healthcare, a national coalition dedicated to advancing clinician wellbeing.
this year. For the first time since its inception, Alabama experienced a 30 percent reduction in substancerelated overdose deaths between April 2024 and April 2025. The Board remains proud of its ongoing participation in the Council’s work, which focuses on equipping controlled substance prescribers with appropriate education and training through ALAHOPE.
Alabama Board of Medical Examiners bme@albme.gov
|
albme.gov
2025 ANNUAL REPORT | PG 3
Certificates of Qualification Issued 2024
2025 2
Retired Senior Volunteer
56
57
Limited DO
2
INCREASE IN NUMBER OF LICENSES ISSUED VIA IMLCC The Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Commission (IMLCC) released their Year Eight Data Study. Compared to Year Four, the number
Limited MD
246
260
of licenses issued by the Alabama Medical Licensure Commission in Year Eight increased 1 2
0 0
251
229
Temporary Military DO Temporary Military MD Prior Temporary Military MD/DO - 1 Converted To Full License - 2 Expired Full DO Full MD/DO Applicants Accepting Non-Disciplinary Citation With Administrative Charge
75
76
by approximately 126%. Alabama was among the top 4 states issuing the most licenses. The IMLCC is a multi-state agreement that streamlines the medical licensure process for qualified physicians who want to practice across state lines. Alabama was among the first states to join the
1,189
1,069
Interstate Medical Licensure Compact in 2017
Full MD
and remains committed to expanding access to high-quality medical care by making it easier for qualified physicians to practice here. “This growth is more than a statistic, it’s a step forward to ensuring patients across our state have better access to 1,761 total
qualified physicians,” said Dr. Max
1,603 total
Rogers, Chair of the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners. “Through the
Certificate of Qualification Renewals 2024
2025
Compact, we’re making it easier for physicians to practice in Alabama, serve patients and uphold the high standards our Board is committed to maintaining.”
Interstate Medical Licensure Compact 537
515
233
Letters of Qualification Issued to Other States
13
Letters of Qualification Denied/Withdrawn
14
State of Principal Licensure Redesignation
8 6 Limited COQ Renewal Retired Senior Volunteer COQ Renewal
PG 4 | ALBME
CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES/PAIN MANAGEMENT REGISTRATIONS ISSUED IN 2025 Pain Management Services Registrations Alabama Controlled Substances Certificates 2024
2025
1,463
1,458
398
333
2024
2025
582 554 447
472 13,526
Initial Location Additional Locations
13,281 110 Expired Reissued
New Issued Expired Reissued Renewed
Renewed
Initial Location Additional Locations
14 60
13 1 46 14
107
6 42
6 0 34 8
New Issued
Initial Location Additional Locations
BOARD ISSUES NEW GUIDANCE In 2025, the Board, with the help of two work
The guidelines for the off-label use of ketamine
groups consisting of practicing physicians, issued
detail who should prescribe, patient selection,
guidance for the off-label use of ketamine for the
recommended medical screenings, location
treatment of treatment-resistant depression in
requirements, dosing, and safety precautions.
outpatient settings and testosterone replacement therapy in males and females.
The Board’s guidelines for the use of testosterone replacement therapy in males and females provides
On behalf of the Board, the groups reviewed current
detailed recommendations for physicians on when
trends and concerns in the use of these treatments
and how to evaluate, prescribe, and monitor
and developed recommendations to help
testosterone therapy.
physicians deliver the highest quality care to patients in Alabama.
2025 ANNUAL REPORT | PG 5
OUTREACH & EDUCATION HIGHLIGHTS
ADVANCED PRACTICE PROVIDER PROTOCOL UPDATES
LICENSING SUMMIT
In March 2025, the Board approved protocols for the
As part of the Board’s ongoing efforts to strengthen
injection of cosmetic botulinum toxin by Physician
collaboration with stakeholders and provide more
Assistants in certain practice settings. Shortly after,
streamlined services to both them and its licensees, the
the Board approved the same protocols for Certified
Board’s Credentialing Department hosted its inaugural
Registered Nurse Practitioners. The approved
Licensing Summit. Attendees included medical staff
protocols detail the requirements for the performance
professionals and postgraduate training program
of the procedure.
coordinators who play a vital role in assisting healthcare practitioners with licensing and registration.
In August 2025, the Board approved updated protocols for the Qualified Alabama Controlled Substances
CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES PRESCRIBING
Certificate (QACSC) and the Limited Purpose Schedule
The Board also began offering two hours of free Continuing
II Permit (LPSP). The updates were designed to
Medical Education on controlled substance prescribing at
support safe prescribing practices and include the
events sponsored by various organizations. In 2025, a total
use of new quarterly quality assurance (QA) forms.
of 224 free CME credits were provided through this program.
The Board also approved updates to
LICENSING EDUCATION
the following specialty protocols:
In addition to prescribing related education, staff of the
• Botox Injections for Hyperhidrosis
Advanced Practice Providers Department provided
• Botox Injections for Chronic Migraine
instruction on license and registration requirements
• Critical Care
to future graduates of all Physician Assistant and
• Dermatology
Anesthesiologist Assistant programs in the state.
• Fluoroscopy
PROFESSIONAL BOUNDARIES
• Tunneled Central Venous Line Insertion
As part of the continuing effort to protect the health and safety of patients and educate licensees, free, required professional boundary education was implemented for all physicians, physician assistants, and anesthesiologist assistants licensed in Alabama. At the 2025 Federation of State Medical Boards meeting in April, Effie Hawthorne, Associate General Counsel of the Board, co-presented a poster series on the Board’s ongoing professional boundaries education initiative. More than 20,000 Alabama physicians have completed the free course.
(Left to Right) Amanda Olaogun and Kasey Cleary with PBI Education, along with Effie Hawthorne, Associate General Counsel of the Board, co-presenting at FSMB in Seattle, Washington.
PG 6 | ALBME
ENFORCEMENT ISSUES Enforcement Issues 2024
2025
15
Pending Review Referred For Other Resolution Issues Referred to Other Agencies, Outside Board Jurisdiction, or Withdrawn
6
14
42
45
183
UPDATED OFFICE-BASED SURGERY REGULATIONS In 2022, the Board began the process of updating its Office-Based Surgery regulations, which first became effective in November 2003. These regulations remained essentially unchanged for twenty years; however, office-based surgery has changed dramatically in this time period with physicians utilizing their offices for more intensive and invasive procedures as technologies advance.
Referred For Formal Investigation/ Pending
102
184
In October 2023, the Board began soliciting comments from stakeholders and adopting revisions based on this feedback. In December 2024, the rules were officially noticed for public comment. Due to the amount of constructive feedback, the
Referred For Formal Investigation/ Resolved
Board terminated the publication period in April 2025 to allow time for a thorough review and incorporation of stakeholder comments. In July 2025, the Board published a substantially
Resolved Without Formal Investigation Prescribing Related
115
122
84
67 16
Board received public comments to this rule draft, and
18 614 total
365 total
revised ruleset in response to the public comments. The in November 2025, the Board republished the draft after making material changes based on these comments.
ANESTHESIOLOGIST ASSISTANT LICENSES/ REGISTRATIONS Anesthesiologist Assistants ISSUED IN (AA) 2025 2024 1
9
considered the comments at its January 2026 meeting and voted to finalize the proposed rules after making non-material editorial changes based on the comments received.
2025
At all times, the Board’s primary concern when deciding to make a
10
change or not was whether the public’s health, safety, and welfare would be protected. The Board believes that the current draft, as
45
44
Following the end of this comment period, the Board
certified, best strikes the balance between protecting the public
18
15
46
50
and avoiding unnecessary regulatory burdens on physicians. Throughout this process, the Board has invited, welcomed, and engaged in a robust dialogue with Alabama physicians. The Board is committed to maintaining the level of
Licenses Issued Expired Licenses Reissued (None Issued 2025) Licenses Renewed Registered To Physicians (New) Total Registrations
responsiveness to physician input that it has shown in the rulemaking process going forward. Medicine is evolving, and the Board expects its regulations to evolve with it.
2025 ANNUAL REPORT | PG 7
ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSES (CRNP/CNM) AND COLLABORATIVE PHARMACY PRACTICES IN 2025
PA LICENSES/ REGISTRATIONS ISSUED IN 2025
Advanced Practice Nurses (CRNP/CNM)
25
Collaborative and Supervisory Practice Education Opportunities 3 Educational Site Visits 12 Practice Compliance Seminars
2024
2025
16 88
15 293
868
863
Limited Purpose Schedule II Permits Renewed
204
Expired Limited Purpose Schedule II Permits Reissued
256
12
45
403
1,325 25
367
Qualified Alabama Controlled Substances Certificates Renewed Expired Qualified Alabama Controlled Substances Certificates Reissued
1,534
1,688
2 8
500
535
1,616
19
Qualified Alabama Controlled Substances Certificates Issued
4,251
Number Of Physicians In Collaboration
6
48
220 3,455
Collaborative Practice Registrations Issued
8
1,675
269 1
2025 97
2
238
Qualified AL Controlled Substances Certificates Issued Expired Reissued Renewed
Collaborative Pharmacy Practice 2024
2025
2
2
0
2
1
0
Collaboration Registrations Issued Collaboration Registrations Renewed Collaboration Registrations Reissued 6 Physicians in Collaboration in 2025
11
Total Registrations Registered to Physicians (New) Temporary Licenses Converted to Full Licenses Renewed Temporary Military Licenses Issued Temporary Military Licenses Converted to Full New Licenses Issued Expired Licenses Reissued Physician Assistants Granted Temporary License
2024
3,499
29 12
1 228
3,981
2025
Collaborative And Supervisory Practice Audits
Limited Purpose Schedule II Permits Issued
1,325
2024
Limited Purpose Schedule II Permits 2 35 67 1 169
170
PG 8 | ALBME
BOARD DISCIPLINARY/CONFIDENTIAL ACTIONS Disciplinary
Voluntary Restriction On Certificate Of Qualification
ACSC
2
Entered
Temporary Suspension
1
ABME Physician Monitoring Program
Surrender
1
– Licensees Currently Monitored
239
Restrictions And/Or Limitations Modified Or Terminated
2
– Licensees Monitored Since 1990
1,975
Consent Order/Settlement Agreement
2
QACSC 1
Temporary Suspension
1
Revocation
1
Settlement Agreement Certificate Of Qualification Denied
1
Certificate Of Qualification And/Or Medical License Surrendered
6
Physician Assistant Licenses Disciplined/Restricted
3
Confidential Voluntary Agreements
22
Prescribing Related
8
Agreements Amended
5
Agreements Terminated
8
29
Non-Disciplinary Board Orders
23
Continuing Medical Education Prescribing Related
10 6
Evaluation Interviews Conducted
38
Letters Of Concern
65
Prescribing Related
11
Formal Filings With The Medical Licensure Commission Administrative Complaints Filed
14
Administrative Complaints With Petition For Summary Suspension Of Medical License
4
Surrender
1
Revocation
3
Notice Of Intent To Contest Reinstatement Filed
1
Administrative Fines Assessed (ABME – 4 And MLC – 13)
17
Administrative Costs Assessed (ABME – 0 And MLC – 4)
4
2025 ANNUAL REPORT | PG 9
ALABAMA OPIOID OVERDOSE AND ADDICTION COUNCIL The Board is proud to continue to be a part of the Governor’s
experienced a 30 percent decrease in substance-related
Opioid Overdose and Addiction Council’s Prescribers and
overdose deaths from April 2024–April 2025. According to
Dispensers standing committee and its current focus on
the 2025 annual report of the Alabama Opioid Overdose
equipping controlled substances prescribers with training
and Addiction Council, ALAHOPE recorded a completion
through ALAHOPE, an online Alabama-specific education
rate of 3,370 for 2025. This number represents the medical
program for health professionals.
professionals seeking training in substance use and
The Council was established by Governor Ivey in 2017
alternatives for pain management.
and for the first time since its establishment, Alabama
ALABAMA SWEEPS SEATTLE At the 2025 Annual Meeting of the Federation of State Medical Boards in Seattle, Washington, Medical Licensure Commission member Jorge A. Alsip, MD, was elected to the FSMB Board of Directors for a three-year term. This position follows over 20 combined years of leadership on both the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners and the Medical Licensure Commission. Dr. Alsip practiced emergency medicine in Baldwin County, Alabama, followed by both national and local consulting and teaching positions. At the same meeting, the Federation of State Medical Boards honored Medical Licensure Commission member Craig H. Christopher, MD, with the FSMB Leadership Award. Dr. Christopher, who has also been a leader on both the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners and the Medical Licensure Commission for more than 20 combined years, practiced for over 30 years as a highly respected OBGYN in Birmingham.
(above) Dr. Jorge Alsip is congratulated by Board member Dr. Jay Suggs. (right) Dr. Craig H. Christopher
PG 10 | ALBME
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE With the endorsement of the Board and Medical
provision was a barrier for some doctors who wished
Association of the State of Alabama, a bill sponsored
to volunteer their services under the RSV program but
by Representative Paul Lee of Dothan and passed by
were unable to commit to that number of hours. With
the Alabama Legislature removed the requirement for
this requirement removed, more retired doctors may
Retired Senior Volunteer (RSV) licensees to perform the
now offer their services at free medical clinics, helping
annual minimum of 100 hours of volunteer service. This
fill gaps in underserved communities across Alabama.
ALBME & MLC NAMED 2025 WELLBEING FIRST CHAMPION
The Alabama Board of Medical Examiners
unrelated to a doctor’s current ability to practice
(ALBME) and Medical Licensure Commission
safely. The revised forms now focus only on
(MLC) were named a 2025 Wellbeing First
conditions that may currently impair safe practice.
Champion for removing mental health questions from medical license applications that might inhibit someone from answering questions truthfully. ALL IN: Wellbeing First for Healthcare, a national coalition of healthcare organizations awarded the honor to the ALBME and MLC. The change encourages physicians to seek care without fear of professional consequences, strengthening the healthcare workforce and improving patient outcomes. Previously, applications asked about past mental health or substance use treatment, even when
The changes came as a recommendation from the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation. According to the foundation, as of September 19, 2025, five dental licensure boards, 40 medical licensure boards, six nursing licensure boards, and nine pharmacy licensure boards verified their licensing applications do not include intrusive mental health questions. The ALBME & MLC are proud to receive the honor of being a Wellbeing First Champion.
2025 ANNUAL REPORT | PG 11
2025 BOARD AND COMMISSION MEMBERS
Alabama Board of Medical Examiners
State of Alabama Medical Licensure Commission
Charles M. A. Rogers, IV, M.D.
Jorge A. Alsip, M.D.
Chairman, Bay Minette
Chairman, Daphne
Hernando D. Carter, M.D.
Kenneth W. Aldridge, M.D.
Vice-Chairman, Birmingham
Vice-Chairman, Tuscaloosa
William E. Admire Jr., D.O., Mobile
Craig H. Christopher, M.D., Birmingham
Aruna T. Arora, M.D., Huntsville
Howard J. Falgout, M.D., Tuscaloosa
Gregory W. Ayers, M.D., Hoover
Paul M. Nagrodzki, M.D., Birmingham
Tonya E. Bradley, M.D., Auburn
Nina P. Nelson-Garrett, M.D., Montgomery
Nina S. Ford-Johnson, M.D., Mobile
James R. Seale, Esq., Montgomery
Adam C. Harrison, D.O., Cullman
Pamela D. Varner, M.D., Birmingham
Marquisha M. Jarmon, M.D., Birmingham Beverly F. Jordan, M.D., Enterprise Mark H. LeQuire, M.D., Montgomery William J. Schneider, M.D., Huntsville William J. Suggs, M.D., Decatur David R. Thrasher, M.D., Montgomery Jane A. Weida, M.D., Tuscaloosa Amanda J. Williams, M.D., Montgomery
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