HLO News Details

The Oregon Health Authority, Health Licensing Office (HLO), and the Board of Direct Entry Midwifery (Board) are notifying interested parties that proposed administrative rules have been filed with the Secretary of State's Office for publication in the April 2026 Oregon Bulletin. 

The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking includes the possible fiscal impacts, a racial equity statement, and the proposed rule text. Permanent administrative rules are scheduled to become effective on July 1, 2026. 

The documents linked below include:

• Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Secretary of State version

• DEM Proposed Rules – bold and strikethrough version

​A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for legend drugs and devices was filed and published in the March 2026 Oregon Bulletin. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking is being refiled and republished in the April 2026 Oregon Bulletin to incorporate additional fiscal impact details and hearing information. 

Need for Rules: Summary
Licensed direct entry midwives have the authority to purchase and administer authorized scheduled legend drugs and devices for use in pregnancy, birth, postpartum care, and newborn care if deemed integral to providing safe care to birthing persons and newborns. 

These rules require applicants to pass an examination consisting of a written exam and three skills exams related to legend drugs and devices. The three skills exams include administration of medication through injection, intravenous therapy, and suturing, ensuring that applicants can demonstrate and meet baseline competency in each skill area prior to licensure. 

These rules also require currently licensed direct entry midwives to retake the legend drugs and devices written and skills assessment examinations every three years in order to renew their licenses. 

You are invited to review the proposed rules and submit comments from March 1 to April 30, 2026, until 12 p.m. (noon). Comments may be submitted to Josh Page at josh.page@oha.oregon.gov or by mail to:

Attn: Josh Page
Health Licensing Office
1430 Tandem Ave. NE, Suite 180
Salem, OR 97301-2192

A public rule hearing has been scheduled for April 29, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. (noon). Interested parties may attend the hearing in person at the address listed above or via Zoom. 

Instructions for attending via Zoom:

• Email your full name to Samie Patnode at samie.patnode@oha.oregon.gov and state that you would like to testify.
• The HLO asks that individuals attending the hearing via Zoom keep their cameras off and their phones or microphones muted during the entire hearing, until their name is called to testify. 

Comments will not be accepted or considered if received after 12 p.m. (noon) on April 30, 2026. For more information or to request this information in an alternative format, please call Josh Page at (503) 934-0720 or email josh.page@oha.oregon.gov.