Fifteen states have bills moving through their respective legislatures that would allow physician assistants to complete a single application to practice in participating states, rather than having to apply for licensure in each state.
The PA Licensure Compact model aims to establish a multistate data system that will facilitate the sharing of licensure information across other member states, according to a March 11 news release from the American Academy of Physician Associates. This would allow physician assistants to receive a "compact privilege," which is equivalent to licensure, in each participating state.
In 2023, three states enacted the PA Compact model legislation: Delaware, Utah and Wisconsin, according to a March 11 news release from the organization. Once seven states have enacted the model, the process will begin to operationalize, which could take 18 to 24 months.
Here are 11 states that have legislation pending:
1. Colorado
2. Maine
3. Michigan
4. Minnesota
5. Nebraska
6. New Hampshire
7. New York
8. Ohio
9. Rhode Island
10. Tennessee
11. Vermont
Three states — Washington, West Virginia and Washington — have passed legislation and are awaiting their respective governors' approval, according to the release. Additionally, in Oklahoma, related bills have been approved by the legislative chambers they were created in and are on the move to the opposite chamber for approval, the release said.