§20125. Licensure of physician associates
(CONTAINS TEXT WITH VARYING EFFECTIVE DATES)
(WHOLE SECTION TEXT EFFECTIVE 1/1/27)
1.
Qualification for licensure.
The board may issue to an individual a license to practice as a physician associate under the following conditions.
A.
A license may be issued to an individual who:
(1)
Graduated from a physician assistant or physician associate program approved by the board;
(2)
Passed a physician assistant or physician associate national certifying examination administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants or its successor organization;
(3)
Demonstrates current clinical competency either by having engaged in the clinical rendering of medical services during the preceding 24 months, or by providing a plan to practically demonstrate to the board's satisfaction the individual's clinical competency, the requirements of which may be set by rulemaking;
(4)
Does not have a license, certificate of registration or privilege that is the subject of disciplinary action such as probation, restriction, suspension, revocation or surrender;
(5)
Completes an application approved by the board;
(6)
Pays an application fee of up to $400; and
(7)
Passes an examination approved by the board.
[PL 2025, c. 738, Pt. A, §7 (NEW); PL 2025, c. 738, Pt. A, §9 (AFF).]
B.
An applicant may not be licensed unless the board finds that the applicant is qualified and no cause exists, as set forth in section 20144, that may be considered grounds for disciplinary action against a licensed physician associate.
[PL 2025, c. 738, Pt. A, §7 (NEW); PL 2025, c. 738, Pt. A, §9 (AFF).]
[PL 2025, c. 738, Pt. A, §7 (NEW); PL 2025, c. 738, Pt. A, §9 (AFF).]
2.
Rules.
The board may adopt rules regarding the licensure and practice of physician associates. These rules may pertain to, but are not limited to, the following matters:
A.
Information to be contained in the application for a license;
[PL 2025, c. 738, Pt. A, §7 (NEW); PL 2025, c. 738, Pt. A, §9 (AFF).]
B.
Education requirements for the physician associate;
[PL 2025, c. 738, Pt. A, §7 (NEW); PL 2025, c. 738, Pt. A, §9 (AFF).]
C.
Requirements for collaborative agreements, including uniform standards and forms;
[PL 2025, c. 738, Pt. A, §7 (NEW); PL 2025, c. 738, Pt. A, §9 (AFF).]
D.
Requirements for a physician associate to notify the board regarding certain circumstances, including, but not limited to, any change in address of the physician associate, the permanent departure of the physician associate from this State, any criminal convictions of the physician associate and any discipline by other jurisdictions of the physician associate;
[PL 2025, c. 738, Pt. A, §7 (NEW); PL 2025, c. 738, Pt. A, §9 (AFF).]
E.
Issuance of temporary physician associate licenses;
[PL 2025, c. 738, Pt. A, §7 (NEW); PL 2025, c. 738, Pt. A, §9 (AFF).]
F.
Continuing education requirements as a precondition to continued licensure or licensure renewal;
[PL 2025, c. 738, Pt. A, §7 (NEW); PL 2025, c. 738, Pt. A, §9 (AFF).]
G.
Fees for the application for an initial physician associate license, which may not exceed $400; and
[PL 2025, c. 738, Pt. A, §7 (NEW); PL 2025, c. 738, Pt. A, §9 (AFF).]
H.
Fees for the biennial renewal of a physician associate license in an amount not to exceed $350.
[PL 2025, c. 738, Pt. A, §7 (NEW); PL 2025, c. 738, Pt. A, §9 (AFF).]
[PL 2025, c. 738, Pt. A, §7 (NEW); PL 2025, c. 738, Pt. A, §9 (AFF).]
3.
Privileging of physician associates.
The board shall issue a privilege to a physician associate as permitted under chapter 145‑A. The application fee to obtain a privilege through the Physician Assistants Licensure Compact may not be higher than the application fee for a physician associate license, and any fee for renewal of a Physician Assistants Licensure Compact privilege may not exceed $350.
[PL 2025, c. 738, Pt. A, §7 (NEW); PL 2025, c. 738, Pt. A, §9 (AFF).]
4.
Renewal of Physician Assistants Licensure Compact privilege.
A physician associate exercising the physician associate's compact privilege in this State must renew that compact privilege timely and consistent with all requirements of chapter 145‑A and of the participating state that issued the physician associate's qualifying license and shall pay all fees required by the board.
[PL 2025, c. 738, Pt. A, §7 (NEW); PL 2025, c. 738, Pt. A, §9 (AFF).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 2025, c. 738, Pt. A, §7 (NEW). PL 2025, c. 738, Pt. A, §9 (AFF).