Use the state where you will be
With telehealth, you receive care over a video link, by telephone or through online messages, instead of sharing a room.
US health department guidance, checked September 26, 2026, says the professional needs a licence or other valid permission where the patient is during care.
That makes your location during the visit part of the question, even if you normally live elsewhere.
Ask what kind of permission applies
Some states allow a special telehealth registration for an out-of-state doctor, under conditions that vary by state.
A registration is a state permission route. Ask the service to name it and show where the board records it.
Do not stop at a national claim
As of September 26, 2026, the medical licence compact speeds applications but still gives doctors separate state licences, not a national licence.
A compact is an agreement between states. Ask for the specific state record that applies to your visit.
Tell the service if your plans change
If you plan to travel, ask whether the visit can happen from the state you will be in. Get the answer before rearranging your day.
State prescribing rules differ; the national guidance does not replace each state's rule.