Minn. licensing boards may close due to gov. shutdown

Dentists and other medical professionals are scrambling to submit their license renewal applications in Minnesota with a potential government shutdown threatening to close the state boards that issue them, according an article by Minnesota Public Radio.

Currently, they have one week left to submit their applications, although some boards are easing their guidelines in case a lengthy government shutdown takes place, the article stated.

At the Minnesota Board of Dentistry, license renewals have increased. The board's decision to turn down August and September renewals was met with outrage, according to the article. A lack of resources was cited as the reason for the board's inability to accept early renewals and provide more accommodations to prepare for the shutdown.

If the shutdown takes place, the state will also be unable to conduct investigations into alleged misconduct by medical providers, the article noted.