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Alabama2026Enacted

HB156

Physician Assistant Interstate Licensure Compact

Last scannedAug 24, 2026, 9:06 AM

In one sentence

This law adopts an agreement that lets licensed physician assistants practice in other participating states and creates a national commission to manage the rules.

What it does

  • Adopts the PA Licensure Compact so licensed physician assistants can work across state lines among member states.
  • Establishes the PA Licensure Compact Commission to oversee the agreement, enforce its rules, and maintain a data system on licensees.
  • Allows participating states to charge fees for granting permission to practice under this compact.
  • Requires participating states to use recognized national exams, such as the NCCPA PANCE, for licensing physician assistants.
  • Sets up procedures for investigating complaints and sharing information about disciplinary actions between states.

Who it affects

  • Licensed physician assistants who want to work in more than one state.
  • State agencies that issue licenses and regulate medical professionals.
  • Patients receiving care from physician assistants across different states.
  • Active duty military personnel and their spouses, as the compact includes special rules for them.

Limits and unknowns

  • The provided text ends before listing all requirements for physician assistants who have had past limitations or restrictions on their licenses.
  • Specific fees that states may charge are not listed in this document and will be set by individual state rules.
  • The exact timeline for when other states must join the compact is not defined in this bill.

Plain language

Terms to know

Compact Privilege
Permission given by one state to a licensed physician assistant from another participating state to practice there under that state's laws and rules.
Qualifying License
An unrestricted license issued by a participating state that allows the holder to provide medical services as a physician assistant.
Adverse Action
Any official penalty against a license or application, such as denial, suspension, revocation, probation, monitoring, or restrictions on practice.

Official record

Sources

Validated

Official summary

This act: (1) adopts the PA Licensure Compact for licensed physician assistants to practice among compact states in a limited manner; and (2) establishes the PA Licensure Compact Commission providing for the general oversight and enforcement of the compact.

Official activity

Bill history

  1. EnactedHouse
  2. Signature RequestedSenate
  3. Delivered to GovernorHouse
  4. Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 715 (Yeas 28, Nays 0)Senate
  5. Third Reading in Second House (Yeas 27, Nays 0)Senate
  6. EnrolledHouse
  7. Ready to EnrollHouse
  8. Read for the Second Time and placed on the CalendarSenate
  9. Reported Out of Committee Second HouseSenate
  10. Pending Committee Action in Second HouseSenate
  11. Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on HealthcareSenate
  12. Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 257 (Yeas 101, Nays 0)House
  13. Third Reading in House of Origin (Yeas 101, Nays 0)House
  14. Read for the Second Time and placed on the CalendarHouse
  15. Reported Out of Committee House of OriginHouse
  16. Pending Committee Action in House of OriginHouse
  17. Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on HealthHouse