An osteopathic physician who is a graduate of a school or college of osteopathic medicine approved by the American Osteopathic Association and who is of good repute may, at the discretion of the board, be given a temporary license to be effective for not more than 6 months after issuance, for the purpose of permitting the physician to serve as “locum tenens” for another osteopathic physician who is unable, because of illness or some other substantiated reason, to maintain the practice, thus fulfilling a need in that area for providing health services. The fee for such a license may be not more than $600. [PL 2001, c. 492, §3 (AMD).]