State Governement Websites Shutdown

Minnesotans can no longer check if their optometrists, barbers, or veterinarians have valid practicing licenses. Licensing board offices, and various other state agencies, have pulled the plug on their agency websites hours before the scheduled midnight government shutdown. Among those that are no longer online include tax court, nursing home administrators board and the Minnesota Board of Psychology.

Robert Leach, executive director of the Minnesota of Board of Medical Practice said the only licensing sites that remain partially operational are the medical board and nursing board. However, doctors can no longer apply for their licenses and patients can no longer search for their physicians' credentials. He recommends using a national database, docboard.org, in order to check if a physician has a valid license or has faced disciplinary action.