The rules of the workforce and consumerism are rapidly changing, and states and boards of registration must act affirmatively if they are to remain an effective tool of public safety and consumer protection. Advances in technology have changed the way we conduct business with geographic location becoming less and less relevant. Professionals are increasingly offering their services on-line via the Internet, while consumers are continuously looking for more convenient ways in which to receive services.
Consumers can now use the Internet to order anything from prescription drugs to contact lenses.
Doctors can conduct real-time diagnosis through video conferencing, and nurses are dispensing health advice over the phone to health plan subscribers. In our high-tech world, certified public accountants, architects and engineers can develop plans and disseminate information to anywhere on the globe with a click of a button. These practices are known variously as telenursing, telemedicine, telepractice and teleservice. Mutual recognition should be particularly attractive to states such as Massachusetts, which is at the center of the medical research and high-tech industries, and is the home of health systems and businesses employing thousands of these sought after professionals. With mutual recognition, professionals will be able to offer their services throughout the country using a single state license.