What Act 44 changed
When Pennsylvania's program began, the patient and the physician had to meet face to face. Act 44 of 2021 changed that. In its July 2022 report, the Department of Health listed among the act's changes the removal of the requirement for in-person patient and practitioner interactions. The Department's guidance for physicians now says plainly that Act 44 grants practitioners the ability to issue certifications via synchronous interaction, such as a phone or video conference.
The change matters most for patients who live far from a participating office, who cannot drive or whose condition makes travel hard. It applies equally to renewals, since each renewal is a new certification. Our renewal guide covers that annual cycle.
Real time means real time
The word doing the work in the statute is "synchronous." Act 44 added a definition to the Medical Marijuana Act: a real-time exchange of information via audio or video conferencing. A phone call or a video visit fits. The law's wording does not describe a form you fill out and submit for later review, so if a service offers only that, ask how the physician will speak with you.
The standard for the decision itself is the same as in an office. The physician still has to conclude that you have one or more of the program's 24 serious medical conditions, and can decline.
Who is allowed to certify you
Pennsylvania limits certification to physicians. To certify patients, an MD or DO needs an active license with the Pennsylvania Department of State, a registration with the Department of Health and a four-hour training course from a Department-approved provider. The Department lists TheAnswerPage Inc, St. Joseph's University, the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and Medical Marijuana 411 as approved providers. Approval can take up to two months, which is one reason not every physician you know will be on the list.
Nurse practitioners and physician assistants cannot certify patients. The law gives them a narrower role: verifying certifications or consulting at secondary dispensary locations. As of March 1, 2026, the Department counted 1,920 approved practitioners.
Finding an approved physician
The Medical Marijuana Act bars practitioners from advertising themselves as certifiers. That is why the Department's own list of approved practitioners (PDF) is the most dependable starting point. Telehealth services are another route; whichever you use, confirm that the person who will certify you is an MD or DO registered with the Department.
The law also bars practitioners from certifying themselves or their family members, so a relative who is a physician cannot do it, online or off.
Need a physician certification?
Online evaluations are available for Pennsylvania residents. Code DRWDY85872 takes 5% off. The physician, not the booking service, decides whether you are certified.
Book my PA evaluation →Getting ready for the call
A remote visit goes faster when the groundwork is done. Before the appointment:
- Create your patient registry account, using a Pennsylvania driver's license or state ID that shows your current address. The application guide explains this step.
- Gather records that show your diagnosis and the treatments you have tried, and have a list of your current medications.
- Find a quiet, private place with a reliable connection, since the exchange has to happen live.
- Know which listed condition you believe applies, and be ready to describe how it affects your daily life.
After the visit, watch the calendar. For a first card, the Department says you must pay within 60 days of the date your certification is submitted, or it expires.
What happens after the physician certifies you
The physician submits the certification, you log back into the registry and pay the annual fee, and the Department prints and mails your card. The state fee is $50 a year, or $0 for people enrolled in Medicaid, CHIP, PACE/PACENET, SNAP or WIC. The practitioner or service sets its own price for the visit. Our cost breakdown lays out both.
Your next step: download the Department's approved practitioner list, or choose a telehealth service, and confirm the physician's registration before you book.
Questions people ask
Does a questionnaire or email exchange count as an online evaluation?
The law's term is synchronous interaction, defined as a real-time exchange through audio or video conferencing. The Department of Health gives phone or video conference as examples.
Can my nurse practitioner do the online visit?
Not for a certification. Pennsylvania limits certifying to MDs and DOs registered with the Department of Health. Physician assistants and nurse practitioners may only verify certifications or consult at secondary dispensary locations.
Can a physician in my family certify me online?
No. The Medical Marijuana Act bars practitioners from certifying themselves or their family members, whether the visit is in person or remote.
Worth reading next
Sources
- Resources for Medical Professionals, PA Department of Health
- Approved Practitioners (PDF), PA Department of Health
- Medical Marijuana Act (Act 16 of 2016), PA General Assembly
- PA DOH Office of Medical Marijuana Report, July 2022 (PDF)
- MMAB Program Update Data, March 25, 2026 (metrics as of March 1, 2026)
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This page explains Pennsylvania law and Department of Health guidance in general terms; it is not medical or legal advice, and only a registered physician can certify a patient.