Is an exam required before a patient can be treated in North Dakota?
Intake · part of The Practice Perimeter
⛔ NORTH DAKOTA WROTE ITS PRE-TREATMENT RULE INSIDE A TELEMEDICINE SECTION, AND THE SCOPE OF EACH PART MATTERS. Section 43-17-44 opens by holding a licensee to the same standard of care and the same ethical standards whether the practice is traditional in-person medicine or telemedicine. The requirements that follow are stated in the context of telemedicine: a BONA FIDE RELATIONSHIP with the patient before any diagnosis or treatment, and — before initially diagnosing or treating a patient for a specific illness or condition — an EXAMINATION OR EVALUATION MUST BE PERFORMED. A licensee PRACTICING TELEMEDICINE must also verify the patient’s identity and let the patient verify that licensee’s own identity and licensure status. Prescribing follows the examination: 43-17-45 permits it where the telemedicine examination met the chapter’s requirements.
Drawn from 7 verified rules in this section · regulatory monitoring, not legal advice
- N.D.C.C. § 43-17-44 (Standard of care — telemedicine and in-person alike) · Sep 5, 2026
- N.D.C.C. § 43-17-44 (Standard of care — telemedicine and in-person alike) · Sep 5, 2026
- N.D.C.C. § 43-17-44(2) (A bona fide relationship must exist first) · Sep 5, 2026
- N.D.C.C. § 43-17-44(3) (An examination must precede diagnosis or treatment) · Sep 5, 2026
- N.D.C.C. § 43-17-44(2) (Identity and licensure must be verifiable by the patient) · Sep 5, 2026
- N.D.C.C. § 43-17-45(1) (Prescribing after a telemedicine examination) · Sep 5, 2026
- N.D.C.C. § 43-17-44(1) (Practice only where competence is demonstrated) · Sep 5, 2026
The rest of what North Dakota says on this
Every other rule we have verified under good-faith examination, each linked to its primary source.
A licensee is held to the same standard of care and same ethical standards, whether practicing traditional in - person medicine or telemedicine.
N.D.C.C. § 43-17-44 (Standard of care — telemedicine and in-person alike) · verified Sep 5, 2026
shall establish a bona fide relationship with the patient before the diagnosis or treatment of a patient.
N.D.C.C. § 43-17-44(2) (A bona fide relationship must exist first) · verified Sep 5, 2026
Before initially diagnosing or treating a patient for a specific illness or condition, an examination or evaluation must be performed.
N.D.C.C. § 43-17-44(3) (An examination must precede diagnosis or treatment) · verified Sep 5, 2026
A licensee practicing telemedicine shall verify the identity of the patient seeking care and shall disclose, and ensure the patient has the ability to verify, the identity and licensure status of any licensee providing medical services to the patient.
N.D.C.C. § 43-17-44(2) (Identity and licensure must be verifiable by the patient) · verified Sep 5, 2026
A licensee who has performed a telemedicine examination or evaluation meeting the requirements of this chapter may prescribe medications according to the licensee's professional discretion and judgment.
N.D.C.C. § 43-17-45(1) (Prescribing after a telemedicine examination) · verified Sep 5, 2026
Professional ethical standards require a practitioner to practice only in areas in which the practitioner has demonstrated competence, based on the practitioner's training, ability, and experience.
N.D.C.C. § 43-17-44(1) (Practice only where competence is demonstrated) · verified Sep 5, 2026
How other states answer this
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Related North Dakota questions
- Can the pre-treatment exam be done by telehealth in North Dakota?
- Can a med spa in North Dakota offer compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide?
Get North Dakota changes as they publish
We scan the North Dakota legislature and licensing boards daily, plus the FDA and the Federal Register. Free weekly Brief — what changed, in plain language, with the source.
Free · unsubscribe in one click · we never sell your address
← All North Dakota rules and changes · MedSpaRadar is regulatory monitoring and reference, not legal, medical, or compliance advice. Verify against the linked primary source and consult qualified counsel before acting — rules change and turn on your specific facts. Legislative data via LegiScan (CC BY 4.0).