​Whitmer Announces Implicit Bias Training Requirements

LANSING, MI — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the state's Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs took what they called an important step to address health care disparities and improve equity in the delivery of healthcare to Michiganders Tuesday by adopting new administrative rules requiring implicit bias training as part of the skills necessary for the licensure or registration of health care professionals in Michigan.

The state said Tuesday's announcement caps nearly 11 months of collaboration between licensees, insurance providers, hospitals, health care associations and other groups.

“Today’s new training guidelines will help us mitigate the impacts of implicit bias and ensure every patient in Michigan receives the best possible care,” Whitmer said. “These rules will save lives and improve health outcomes for generations of Michiganders, especially those who have been historically and systemically discriminated against. They will make Michigan safer, healthier, and more just.”

People applying for new licenses or registration will need to complete at least 2 hours of training, and those looking to renew their licenses will need to complete at least 1 hour of training each year, according to the announcement.

The annual training will cover topics related to implicit bias but must incorporate strategies to reduce disparities including the administration of self-assessments, according to the announcement.

Michigan currently licenses over 400,000 health care professionals. The new rules, signed by LARA Director Orlene Hawks, require that health care professionals receive annual training to recognize and mitigate implicit bias.

The rules aim to reduce disparities and improve equity in the delivery of health care to Michigan residents through practical education of new and renewing licensed health care professionals, officials said Tuesday.

The new requirement will be effective June 1, 2022.