Overview
There are many types of health care providers who can treat injured or ill workers through the NYS workers' compensation system.
Certain types of health care providers must be authorized by the NYS Workers' Compensation Board to treat injured/ill workers. Other types of providers are not eligible for Board authorization, but may provide clinical services to workers who are injured or become ill on the job.
As of May 9, 2025, physicians who are training in residency and fellowship programs in New York State that are accredited by the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) are permitted to treat injured workers in the New York State workers' compensation system, under the appropriate supervision of faculty physicians. See the Board's May 15, 2025 press release and the Welcome Residents and Fellows Physicians page for more information.
Providers who must be authorized
The following medical providers must be authorized by the NYS Workers' Compensation Board to treat injured/ill workers:
- Acupuncturists
- Chiropractors
- Licensed Clinical Social Workers
- Nurse Practitioners
- Occupational Therapists
- Physical Therapists
- Physicians
- Physician Assistants
- Podiatrists
- Psychologists
Learn how to get authorized.
See WCB Authorized Providers: Who can do what.
Other providers
The following providers are not eligible for authorization but can treat injured/ill workers:
- Audiologists
- Dentists
- Fellow physicians: Physicians who are training in fellowship programs accredited by the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) are permitted to treat injured workers in New York State, under the appropriate supervision of faculty physicians. See the Welcome Residents and Fellows Physicians page for more information.
- Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTAs): OTAs may treat injured workers under the direction and supervision of a Board-authorized occupational therapist. See Physical Therapist Assistant/Occupational Therapist Assistant FAQS for more information.
- Optometrists
- Physical Therapy Assistants (PTAs): PTAs may treat injured workers under the direction and supervision of a Board-authorized physical therapist. See Physical Therapist Assistant/Occupational Therapist Assistant FAQS for more information.
- Resident physicians: Physicians who are training in residency programs accredited by the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) are permitted to treat injured workers in New York State, under the appropriate supervision of faculty physicians. See the Welcome Residents and Fellows Physicians page for more information.
Special situations
- Emergency health care providers: In an emergency, injured or ill workers may seek treatment from a health care provider who is not authorized.
- Out-of-state health care providers: Health care providers outside of New York State may may register with our medical portal to provide treatment to workers who were injured or became ill as a result of their employment in New York State, as long as the providers are licensed and qualified in the state where treatment is rendered, and would be eligible to treat injured workers in New York. See When Medical Treatment Takes Place in Another State for additional information.
Resources
Contact us
Contact the Medical Director's Office (MDO) with any questions related to treating providers. You can contact the MDO at MDO@wcb.ny.gov or by calling (800) 781-2362.