adopt the physician assistant licensure compact.

26.417.13 101st Legislative Session 1146

2026 South Dakota Legislature
House Bill 1146
ENROLLED

AN ACT

ENTITLED An Act to adopt the physician assistant licensure compact.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA:
Section 1. That a NEW SECTION be added to a NEW CHAPTER in title 36:
PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT LICENSURE COMPACT
Section 1. Purpose
In order to strengthen access to Medical Services, and in recognition of the
advances in the delivery of Medical Services, the Participating States of the PA Licensure
Compact have allied in common purpose to develop a comprehensive process that
complements the existing authority of State Licensing Boards to license and discipline Pas
and seeks to enhance the portability of a License to practice as a PA while safeguarding
the safety of patients. This Compact allows Medical Services to be provided by PAs, vi a
the mutual recognition of the Licensee’s Qualifying License by other Compact Participating
States. This Compact also adopts the prevailing standard for PA licensure and affirms that
the practice and delivery of Medical Services by the PA occurs where the patient is located
at the time of the patient encounter, and therefore requires the PA to be under the
jurisdiction of the State Licensing Board where the patient is located. State Licensing
Boards that participate in this Compact retain the jurisdiction to impose Adverse Action
against a Compact Privilege in that State issued to a PA through the procedures of this
Compact. The PA Licensure Compact will alleviate burdens for military families by allowing
active-duty military personnel and their spouses to obtain a Compact Privilege based on
having an unrestricted License in good standing from a Participating State.
Section 2. Definitions
In this Compact:
A. "Adverse Action" means any administrative, civil, equitable, or criminal action
permitted by a State’s laws which is imposed by a Licensing Board or other
authority against a PA License or License application or Compact Privilege such as
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License denial, censure, revocation, suspension, probation, monitoring of the
Licensee, or restriction on the Licensee’s practice.
B. "Compact Privilege" means the authorization granted by a Remote State to allow
a Licensee from another Participating State to practice as a PA to provide Medical
Services and other licensed activity to a patient located in the Remote State under
the Remote State’s laws and regulations.
C. "Conviction" means a finding by a court that an individual is guilty of a felony or
misdemeanor offense through adjudication or entry of a plea of guilt or no contest
to the charge by the offender.
D. "Criminal Background Check" means the submission of fingerprints or other
biometric-based information for a License applicant for the purpose of obtaining
that applicant’s criminal history record information, as defined in 28 C.F.R.
§ 20.3(d), from the Sta te’s criminal history record repository as defined in 28
C.F.R. § 20.3(f).
E. "Data System" means the repository of information about Licensees, including but
not limited to License status and Adverse Actions, which is created and
administered under the terms of this Compact.
F. "Executive Committee" means a group of directors and ex -officio individuals
elected or appointed pursuant to Section 7.F.2.
G. "Impaired Practitioner" means a PA whose practice is adversely affected by health-
related condition(s) that impact the PA's ability to practice.
H. "Investigative Information" means information, records, or documents received or
generated by a Licensing Board pursuant to an investigation.
I. "Jurisprudence Requirement" means the assessment of an individual’s knowledge
of the laws and Rules governing the practice of a PA in a State.
J. "License" means current authorization by a State, other than authorization
pursuant to a Compact Privilege, for a PA to provide Medical Services, which would
be unlawful without current authorization.
K. "Licensee" means an individual who holds a License from a State to provide Medical
Services as a PA.
L. "Licensing Board" means any State entity authorized to license and otherwise
regulate PAs.
M. "Medical Services" means health care services provided for the diagnosis,
prevention, treatment, cure, or relief of a health condition, injury, or disease, as
defined by a State’s laws and regulations.
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N. "Model Compact" means the model for the PA Licensure Compact on file with The
Council of State Governments or other entity as designated by the Commission.
O. "Participating State" means a State that has enacted this Compact.
P. "PA" means an individual who is licensed as a physician assistant in a State. For
purposes of this Compact, any other title or status adopted by a State to replace
the term "physician assistant" shall be deemed synonymous with "physician
assistant" and sh all confer the same rights and responsibilities to the Licensee
under the provisions of this Compact at the time of its enactment.
Q. "PA Licensure Compact Commission" "Compact Commission," or "Commission"
mean the national administrative body created pursuant to Section 7.A of this
Compact.
R. "Qualifying License" means an unrestricted License issued by a Participating State
to provide Medical Services as a PA.
S. "Remote State" means a Participating State where a Licensee who is not licensed
as a PA is exercising or seeking to exercise the Compact Privilege.
T. "Rule" means a regulation promulgated by an entity that has the force and effect
of law.
U. "Significant Investigative Information" means Investigative Information that a
Licensing Board, after an inquiry or investigation that includes notification and an
opportunity for the PA to respond if required by State law, has reason to believe is
not groundless and, if proven true, would indicate more than a minor infraction.
V. "State" means any state, commonwealth, district, or territory of the United States.
Section 3. State Participation in this Compact
A. To participate in this Compact, a Participating State shall:
1. License PAs.
2. Participate in the Compact Commission’s Data System.
3. Have a mechanism in place for receiving and investigating complaints
against Licensees and License applicants.
4. Notify the Commission, in compliance with the terms of this Compact and
Commission Rules, of any Adverse Action against a Licensee or License
applicant and the existence of Significant Investigative Information
regarding a Licensee or License applicant.
5. Fully implement a Criminal Background Check requirement, within a time
frame established by Commission Rule, by its Licensing Board receiving the
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results of a Criminal Background Check and reporting to the Commission
whether the License applicant has been granted a License.
6. Comply with the Rules of the Compact Commission.
7. Utilize passage of a recognized national exam such as the NCCPA PANCE as
a requirement for PA licensure.
8. Grant the Compact Privilege to a holder of a Qualifying License in a
Participating State.
B. Nothing in this Compact prohibits a Participating State from charging a fee for
granting the Compact Privilege.
Section 4. Compact Privilege
A. To exercise the Compact Privilege, a Licensee must:
1. Have graduated from a PA program accredited by the Accreditation Review
Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. or other
programs authorized by Commission Rule.
2. Hold current NCCPA certification.
3. Have no felony or misdemeanor conviction.
4. Have never had a controlled substance license, permit, or registration
suspended or revoked by a State or by the United States Drug Enforcement
Administration.
5. Have a unique identifier as determined by Commission Rule.
6. Hold a Qualifying License.
7. Have had no revocation of a License or limitation or restriction on any
License currently held due to an Adverse Action.
8. Notify the Compact Commission that the Licensee is seeking the Compact
Privilege in a Remote State.
9. Meet any Jurisprudence Requirement of a Remote State in which the
Licensee is seeking to practice under the Compact Privilege and pay any
fees applicable to satisfying the Jurisprudence Requirement.
10. Report to the Commission any Adverse Action taken by a non-participating
State within thirty days after the action is taken.
B. If a Licensee has had a limitation or restriction on a License or Compact Privilege
due to an Adverse Action, two years must have elapsed from the date on which
the License or Compact Privilege is no longer limited or restricted due to the
Adverse Action.
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C. If a Compact Privilege has been revoked or is limited or restricted in a Participating
State for conduct that would not be a basis for disciplinary action in a Participating
State in which the Licensee is practicing or applying to practice under a Compact
Privilege, that Participating State shall have the discretion not to consider such
action as an Adverse Action requiring the denial or removal of a Compact Privilege
in that State.
D. The Compact Privilege is valid until the expiration or revocation of the Qualifying
License unless terminated pursuant to an Adverse Action. The Licensee must also
comply with all of the requirements of subsection A above to maintain the Compact
Privilege in a Remote State. If the Participating State takes Adverse Action against
a Qualifying License, the Licensee shall lose the Compact Privilege in any Remote
State in which the Licensee has a Compact Privilege until all of the following occur:
1. The License is no longer limited or restricted; and
2. Two years have elapsed from the date on which the License is no longer
limited or restricted due to the Adverse Action.
E. Once a restricted or limited License satisfies the requirements of subsection D.1
and 2, the Licensee must meet the requirements of subsections A, B, and C to
obtain a Compact Privilege in any Remote State.
F. For each Remote State in which a PA seeks authority to prescribe controlled
substances, the PA shall satisfy all requirements imposed by such State in granting
or renewing such authority.
Section 5. Designation of the State from Which Licensee is Applying for a Compact
Privilege
A. Upon a Licensee’s application for a Compact Privilege, the Licensee shall identify
to the Commission the Participating State from which the Licensee is applying, in
accordance with applicable Rules adopted by the Commission, and subject to the
following requirements:
1. When applying for a Compact Privilege, the Licensee shall provide the
Commission with the address of the Licensee’s primary residence and
thereafter shall immediately report to the Commission any change in the
address of the Licensee’s primary residence.
2. When applying for a Compact Privilege, the Licensee is required to consent
to accept service of process by mail at the Licensee’s primary residence on
file with the Commission with respect to any action brought against the
Licensee by the Commission or a Participating State, including a subpoena,
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with respect to any action brought or investigation conducted by the
Commission or a Participating State.
Section 6. Adverse Actions
A. A Participating State in which a Licensee is licensed shall have exclusive power to
impose Adverse Action against the Qualifying License issued by that Participating
State.
B. In addition to the other powers conferred by State law, a Remote State shall have
the authority, in accordance with existing State due process law, to do all of the
following:
1. Take Adverse Action against a PA’s Compact Privilege within that State to
remove a Licensee’s Compact Privilege or take other action necessary under
applicable law to protect the health and safety of its citizens.
2. Issue subpoenas for both hearings and investigations that require the
attendance and testimony of witnesses as well as the production of
evidence. Subpoenas issued by a Licensing Board in a Participating State
for the attendance and testimony of witnesses or the production of evidence
from another Participating State shall be enforced in the latter State by any
court of competent jurisdiction, according to the practice and procedure of
that court applicable to subpoenas issued in proceedings pending before it.
The issuing authority shall pay any witness fees, travel expenses, mileage
and other fees required by the service statutes of the State in which the
witnesses or evidence are located.
3. Notwithstanding paragraph 2, subpoenas may not be issued by a
Participating State to gather evidence of conduct in another State that is
lawful in that other State for the purpose of taking Adverse Action against
a Licensee’s Compact Privilege or application for a Compact Privilege in that
Participating State.
4. Nothing in this Compact authorizes a Participating State to impose discipline
against a PA’s Compact Privilege or to deny an application for a Compact
Privilege in that Participating State for the individual’s otherwise lawful
practice in another State.
C. For purposes of taking Adverse Action, the Participating State which issued the
Qualifying License shall give the same priority and effect to reported conduct
received from any other Participating State as it would if the conduct had occurred
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within the Participating State which issued the Qualifying License. In so doing, that
Participating State shall apply its own State laws to determine appropriate action.
D. A Participating State, if otherwise permitted by State law, may recover from the
affected PA the costs of investigations and disposition of cases resulting from any
Adverse Action taken against that PA.
E. A Participating State may take Adverse Action based on the factual findings of a
Remote State, provided that the Participating State follows its own procedures for
taking the Adverse Action.
F. Joint Investigations
1. In addition to the authority granted to a Participating State by its respective
State PA laws and regulations or other applicable State law, any
Participating State may participate with other Participating States in joint
investigations of Licensees.
2. Participating States shall share any investigative, litigation, or compliance
materials in furtherance of any joint or individual investigation initiated
under this Compact.
G. If an Adverse Action is taken against a PA’s Qualifying License, the PA’s Compact
Privilege in all Remote States shall be deactivated until two years have elapsed
after all restrictions have been removed from the State License. All disciplinary
orders by the Participating State which issued the Qualifying License that impose
Adverse Action against a PA’s License shall include a Statement that the PA’s
Compact Privilege is deactivated in all Participating States during the pendency of
the order.
H. If any Participating State takes Adverse Action, it promptly shall notify the
administrator of the Data System.
Section 7. Establishment of the PA Licensure Compact Commission
A. The Participating States hereby create and establish a joint government agency
and national administrative body known as the PA Licensure Compact Commission.
The Commission is an instrumentality of the Compact States acting jointly and not
an instrumentality of any one State. The Commission shall come into existence on
or after the effective date of the Compact as set forth in Section 11.A.
B. Membership, Voting, and Meetings
1. Each Participating State shall have and be limited to one delegate selected
by that Participating State’s Licensing Board or, if the State has more than
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one Licensing Board, selected collectively by the Participating State’s
Licensing Boards.
2. The delegate shall be either:
a. A current PA, physician, or public member of a Licensing Board or
PA Council/Committee; or
b. An administrator of a Licensing Board.
3. Any delegate may be removed or suspended from office as provided by the
laws of the State from which the delegate is appointed.
4. The Participating State Licensing Board shall fill any vacancy occurring in
the Commission within sixty days.
5. Each delegate shall be entitled to one vote on all matters voted on by the
Commission and shall otherwise have an opportunity to participate in the
business and affairs of the Commission. A delegate shall vote in person or
by such other means as provided in the bylaws. The bylaws may provide
for delegates’ participation in meetings by telecommunications, video
conference, or other means of communication.
6. The Commission shall meet at least once during each calendar year.
Additional meetings shall be held as set forth in this Compact and the
bylaws.
7. The Commission shall establish by Rule a term of office for delegates.
C. The Commission shall have the following powers and duties:
1. Establish a code of ethics for the Commission;
2. Establish the fiscal year of the Commission;
3. Establish fees;
4. Establish bylaws;
5. Maintain its financial records in accordance with the bylaws;
6. Meet and take such actions as are consistent with the provisions of this
Compact and the bylaws;
7. Promulgate Rules to facilitate and coordinate implementation and
administration of this Compact. The Rules shall have the force and effect of
law and shall be binding in all Participating States;
8. Bring and prosecute legal proceedings or actions in the name of the
Commission, provided that the standing of any State Licensing Board to sue
or be sued under applicable law shall not be affected;
9. Purchase and maintain insurance and bonds;
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10. Borrow, accept, or contract for services of personnel, including, but not
limited to, employees of a Participating State;
11. Hire employees and engage contractors, elect or appoint officers, fix
compensation, define duties, grant such individuals appropriate authority
to carry out the purposes of this Compact, and establish the Commission’s
personnel policies and programs relat ing to conflicts of interest,
qualifications of personnel, and other related personnel matters;
12. Accept any and all appropriate donations and grants of money, equipment,
supplies, materials and services, and receive, utilize and dispose of the
same; provided that at all times the Commission shall avoid any appearance
of impropriety or conflict of interest;
13. Lease, purchase, accept appropriate gifts or donations of, or otherwise own,
hold, improve or use, any property, real, personal or mixed; provided that
at all times the Commission shall avoid any appearance of impropriety;
14. Sell, convey, mortgage, pledge, lease, exchange, abandon, or otherwise
dispose of any property real, personal, or mixed;
15. Establish a budget and make expenditures;
16. Borrow money;
17. Appoint committees, including standing committees composed of members,
State regulators, State legislators or their representatives, and consumer
representatives, and such other interested persons as may be designated
in this Compact and the bylaws;
18. Provide and receive information from, and cooperate with, law enforcement
agencies;
19. Elect a Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer and such other officers
of the Commission as provided in the Commission’s bylaws;
20. Reserve for itself, in addition to those reserved exclusively to the
Commission under the Compact, powers that the Executive Committee may
not exercise;
21. Approve or disapprove a State’s participation in the Compact based upon
its determination as to whether the State’s Compact legislation departs in
a material manner from the Model Compact language;
22. Prepare and provide to the Participating States an annual report; and
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23. Perform such other functions as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve
the purposes of this Compact consistent with the State regulation of PA
licensure and practice.
D. Meetings of the Commission
1. All meetings of the Commission that are not closed pursuant to this
subsection shall be open to the public. Notice of public meetings shall be
posted on the Commission’s website at least thirty days prior to the public
meeting.
2. Notwithstanding subsection D.1 of this section, the Commission may
convene a public meeting by providing at least twenty -four hours prior
notice on the Commission’s website, and any other means as provided in
the Commission’s Rules, for any of the reasons it may dispense with notice
of proposed rulemaking under Section 9.L.
3. The Commission may convene in a closed, non-public meeting or nonpublic
part of a public meeting to receive legal advice or to discuss:
a. Non-compliance of a Participating State with its obligations under
this Compact;
b. The employment, compensation, discipline, or other matters,
practices, or procedures related to specific employees, or other
matters related to the Commission’s internal personnel practices and
procedures;
c. Current, threatened, or reasonably anticipated litigation;
d. Negotiation of contracts for the purchase, lease, or sale of goods,
services, or real estate;
e. Accusing any person of a crime or formally censuring any person;
f. Disclosure of trade secrets or commercial or financial information
that is privileged or confidential;
g. Disclosure of information of a personal nature where disclosure
would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy;
h. Disclosure of investigative records compiled for law enforcement
purposes;
i. Disclosure of information related to any investigative reports
prepared by or on behalf of or for use of the Commission or other
committee charged with responsibility of investigation or
determination of compliance issues pursuant to this Compact;
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j. Legal advice; or
k. Matters specifically exempted from disclosure by federal or
Participating States’ statutes.
4. If a meeting, or portion of a meeting, is closed pursuant to this provision,
the chair of the meeting or the chair’s designee shall certify that the meeting
or portion of the meeting may be closed and shall reference each relevant
exempting provision.
5. The Commission shall keep minutes that fully and clearly describe all
matters discussed in a meeting and shall provide a full and accurate
summary of actions taken, including a description of the views expressed.
All documents considered in connection with an action shall be identified in
such minutes. All minutes and documents of a closed meeting shall remain
under seal, subject to release by a majority vote of the Commission or order
of a court of competent jurisdiction.
E. Financing of the Commission
1. The Commission shall pay, or provide for the payment of, the reasonable
expenses of its establishment, organization, and ongoing activities.
2. The Commission may accept any and all appropriate revenue sources,
donations, and grants of money, equipment, supplies, materials, and
services.
3. The Commission may levy on and collect an annual assessment from each
Participating State and may impose Compact Privilege fees on Licensees of
Participating States to whom a Compact Privilege is granted to cover the
cost of the operations and activities o f the Commission and its staff, which
must be in a total amount sufficient to cover its annual budget as approved
by the Commission each year for which revenue is not provided by other
sources. The aggregate annual assessment amount levied on Participating
States shall be allocated based upon a formula to be determined by
Commission Rule.
a. A Compact Privilege expires when the Licensee’s Qualifying License
in the Participating State from which the Licensee applied for the
Compact Privilege expires.
b. If the Licensee terminates the Qualifying License through which the
Licensee applied for the Compact Privilege before its scheduled
expiration, and the Licensee has a Qualifying License in another
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Participating State, the Licensee shall inform the Commission that
the Licensee is changing that Participating State to be the
Participating State through which the Licensee applies for a Compact
Privilege and pay to the Commission any Compact Privilege fe e
required by Commission Rule.
4. The Commission shall not incur obligations of any kind prior to securing the
funds adequate to meet the same; nor shall the Commission pledge the
credit of any of the Participating States, except by and with the authority of
the Participating State.
5. The Commission shall keep accurate accounts of all receipts and
disbursements. The receipts and disbursements of the Commission shall be
subject to the financial review and accounting procedures established under
its bylaws. All receipts and disbursements of funds handled by the
Commission shall be subject to an annual financial review by a certified or
licensed public accountant, and the report of the financial review shall be
included in and become part of the annual report of the Commission.
F. The Executive Committee
1. The Executive Committee shall have the power to act on behalf of the
Commission according to the terms of this Compact and Commission Rules.
2. The Executive Committee shall be composed of nine members:
a. Seven voting members who are elected by the Commission from the
current membership of the Commission;
b. One ex -officio, nonvoting member from a recognized national PA
professional association; and
c. One ex -officio, nonvoting member from a recognized national PA
certification organization.
3. The ex-officio members will be selected by their respective organizations.
4. The Commission may remove any member of the Executive Committee as
provided in its bylaws.
5. The Executive Committee shall meet at least annually.
6. The Executive Committee shall have the following duties and
responsibilities:
a. Recommend to the Commission changes to the Commission’s Rules
or bylaws, changes to this Compact legislation, fees to be paid by
Compact Participating States such as annual dues, and any
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Commission Compact fee charged to Licensees for the Compact
Privilege;
b. Ensure Compact administration services are appropriately provided,
contractual or otherwise;
c. Prepare and recommend the budget;
d. Maintain financial records on behalf of the Commission;
e. Monitor Compact compliance of Participating States and provide
compliance reports to the Commission;
f. Establish additional committees as necessary;
g. Exercise the powers and duties of the Commission during the interim
between Commission meetings, except for issuing proposed
rulemaking or adopting Commission Rules or bylaws, or exercising
any other powers and duties exclusively reserved to the Commission
by the Commission’s Rules; and
h. Perform other duties as provided in the Commission’s Rules or
bylaws.
7. All meetings of the Executive Committee at which it votes or plans to vote
on matters in exercising the powers and duties of the Commission shall be
open to the public, and public notice of such meetings shall be given as
public meetings of the Commission are given.
8. The Executive Committee may convene in a closed, non-public meeting for
the same reasons that the Commission may convene in a non -public
meeting as set forth in Section 7.D.3 and shall announce the closed meeting
as the Commission is required to under Section 7.D.4 and keep minutes of
the closed meeting as the Commission is required to under Section 7.D.5.
G. Qualified Immunity, Defense, and Indemnification
1. The members, officers, executive director, employees, and representatives
of the Commission shall be immune from suit and liability, both personally
and in their official capacities, for any claim for damage to or loss of property
or personal injury or other civil liability caused by or arising out of any actual
or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred, or that the person against
whom the claim is made had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within
the scope of Commission employment, duties or responsibilities; provided
that nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to protect any such person
from suit or liability for any damage, loss, injury, or liability caused by the
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intentional or willful or wanton misconduct of that person. The procurement
of insurance of any type by the Commission shall not in any way
compromise or limit the immunity granted hereunder.
2. The Commission shall defend any member, officer, executive director,
employee, and representative of the Commission in any civil action seeking
to impose liability arising out of any actual or alleged act, error, or omission
that occurred within the scope of Commission employment, duties, or
responsibilities, or as determined by the commission that the person against
whom the claim is made had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within
the scope of Commission employment, duties, or responsibilities ; provided
that nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit that person from retaining
their own counsel at their own expense; and provided further, that the
actual or alleged act, error, or omission did not result from that person’s
intentional, willful, or wanton misconduct.
3. The Commission shall indemnify and hold harmless any member, officer,
executive director, employee, and representative of the Commission for the
amount of any settlement or judgment obtained against that person arising
out of any actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred within the
scope of Commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, or that such
person had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of
Commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, provided that the
actual or alleged act, error, or omission did not result from the intentional,
willful, or wanton misconduct of that person.
4. Venue is proper and judicial proceedings by or against the Commission shall
be brought solely and exclusively in a court of competent jurisdiction where
the principal office of the Commission is located. The Commission may
waive venue and jurisdictional d efenses in any proceedings as authorized
by Commission Rules.
5. Nothing herein shall be construed as a limitation on the liability of any
Licensee for professional malpractice or misconduct, which shall be
governed solely by any other applicable State laws.
6. Nothing herein shall be construed to designate the venue or jurisdiction to
bring actions for alleged acts of malpractice, professional misconduct,
negligence, or other such civil action pertaining to the practice of a PA. All
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such matters shall be determined exclusively by State law other than this
Compact.
7. Nothing in this Compact shall be interpreted to waive or otherwise abrogate
a Participating State’s state action immunity or state action affirmative
defense with respect to antitrust claims under the Sherman Act, Clayton
Act, or any other State or federa l antitrust or anticompetitive law or
regulation.
8. Nothing in this Compact shall be construed to be a waiver of sovereign
immunity by the Participating States or by the Commission.
Section 8. Data System
A. The Commission shall provide for the development, maintenance, operation, and
utilization of a coordinated data and reporting system containing licensure, Adverse
Action, and the reporting of the existence of Significant Investigative Information
on all licensed PAs and applicants denied a License in Participating States.
B. Notwithstanding any other State law to the contrary, a Participating State shall
submit a uniform data set to the Data System on all PAs to whom this Compact is
applicable, utilizing a unique identifier, as required by the Rules of the Commission,
including:
1. Identifying information;
2. Licensure data;
3. Adverse Actions against a License or Compact Privilege;
4. Any denial of application for licensure, and the reason(s) for such denial,
excluding the reporting of any Criminal history record information where
prohibited by law;
5. The existence of Significant Investigative Information; and
6. Other information that may facilitate the administration of this Compact, as
determined by the Rules of the Commission.
C. Significant Investigative Information pertaining to a Licensee in any Participating
State shall only be available to other Participating States.
D. The Commission shall promptly notify all Participating States of any Adverse Action
taken against a Licensee or an individual applying for a License that has been
reported to it. This Adverse Action information shall be available to any other
Participating State.
E. Participating States contributing information to the Data System may, in
accordance with State or federal law, designate information that may not be shared
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with the public without the express permission of the contributing State.
Notwithstanding any such designation, such information shall be reported to the
Commission through the Data System.
F. Any information submitted to the Data System that is subsequently expunged
pursuant to federal law or the laws of the Participating State contributing the
information shall be removed from the Data System upon reporting of such by the
Participating State to the Commission.
G. The records and information provided to a Participating State pursuant to this
Compact or through the Data System, when certified by the Commission or an
agent thereof, shall constitute the authenticated business records of the
Commission, and shall be en titled to any associated hearsay exception in any
relevant judicial, quasi -judicial or administrative proceedings in a Participating
State.
Section 9. Rulemaking
A. The Commission shall exercise its Rulemaking powers pursuant to the criteria set
forth in this section and the Rules adopted thereunder. Commission Rules shall
become binding as of the date specified by the Commission for each Rule.
B. The Commission shall promulgate reasonable Rules in order to effectively and
efficiently implement and administer this Compact and achieve its purposes. A
Commission Rule shall be invalid and have not force or effect only if a court of
competent jurisdicti on holds that the Rule is invalid because the Commission
exercised its rulemaking authority in a manner that is beyond the scope of the
purposes of this Compact, or the powers granted hereunder, or based upon another
applicable standard of review.
C. The Rules of the Commission shall have the force of law in each Participating State,
provided however that where the Rules of the Commission conflict with the laws of
the Participating State that establish the medical services a PA may perform in the
Participating State, as held by a court of competent jurisdiction, the Rules of the
Commission shall be ineffective in that State to the extent of the conflict.
D. If a majority of the legislatures of the Participating States rejects a Commission
Rule, by enactment of a statute or resolution in the same manner used to adopt
this Compact within four years of the date of adoption of the Rule, then such Rule
shall have no further force and effect in any Participating State or to any State
applying to participate in the Compact.
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E. Commission Rules shall be adopted at a regular or special meeting of the
Commission.
F. Prior to promulgation and adoption of a final Rule or Rules by the Commission, and
at least thirty days in advance of the meeting at which the Rule will be considered
and voted upon, the Commission shall file a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking:
1. On the website of the Commission or other publicly accessible platform; and
2. To persons who have requested notice of the Commission’s notices of
proposed rulemaking; and
3. In such other way(s) as the Commission may by Rule specify.
G. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking shall include:
1. The time, date, and location of the public hearing on the proposed Rule and
the proposed time, date, and location of the meeting in which the proposed
Rule will be considered and voted upon;
2. The text of the proposed Rule and the reason for the proposed Rule;
3. A request for comments on the proposed Rule from any interested person
and the date by which written comments must be received; and
4. The manner in which interested persons may submit notice to the
Commission of their intention to attend the public hearing or provide any
written comments.
H. Prior to adoption of a proposed Rule, the Commission shall allow persons to submit
written data, facts, opinions, and arguments, which shall be made available to the
public.
I. If the hearing is to be held via electronic means, the Commission shall publish the
mechanism for access to the electronic hearing.
1. All persons wishing to be heard at the hearing shall as directed in the Notice
of Proposed Rulemaking, not less than five business days before the
scheduled date of the hearing, notify the Commission of their desire to
appear and testify at the hearing.
2. Hearings shall be conducted in a manner providing each person who wishes
to comment a fair and reasonable opportunity to comment orally or in
writing.
3. All hearings shall be recorded. A copy of the recording and the written
comments, data, facts, opinions, and arguments received in response to the
proposed rulemaking shall be made available to a person upon request.
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4. Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring a separate hearing
on each proposed Rule. Proposed Rules may be grouped for the convenience
of the Commission at hearings required by this section.
J. Following the public hearing, the Commission shall consider all written and oral
comments timely received.
K. The Commission shall, by majority vote of all delegates, take final action on the
proposed Rule and shall determine the effective date of the Rule, if adopted, based
on the Rulemaking record and the full text of the Rule.
1. If adopted, the Rule shall be posted on the Commission’s website.
2. The Commission may adopt changes to the proposed Rule provided the
changes do not enlarge the original purpose of the proposed Rule.
3. The Commission shall provide on its website an explanation of the reasons
for substantive changes made to the proposed Rule as well as reasons for
substantive changes not made that were recommended by commenters.
4. The Commission shall determine a reasonable effective date for the Rule.
Except for an emergency as provided in subsection L, the effective date of
the Rule shall be no sooner than thirty days after the Commission issued
the notice that it adopted the Rule.
L. Upon determination that an emergency exists, the Commission may consider and
adopt an emergency Rule with twenty -four hours prior notice, without the
opportunity for comment or hearing, provided that the usual rulemaking
procedures provided in this Compac t and in this section shall be retroactively
applied to the Rule as soon as reasonably possible, in no event later than ninety
days after the effective date of the Rule. For the purposes of this provision, an
emergency Rule is one that must be adopted i mmediately by the Commission in
order to:
1. Meet an imminent threat to public health, safety, or welfare;
2. Prevent a loss of Commission or Participating State funds;
3. Meet a deadline for the promulgation of a Commission Rule that is
established by federal law or Rule; or
4. Protect public health and safety.
M. The Commission or an authorized committee of the Commission may direct
revisions to a previously adopted Commission Rule for purposes of correcting
typographical errors, errors in format, errors in consistency, or grammatical errors.
Public notice of any revisions shall be posted on the website of the Commission.
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The revision shall be subject to challenge by any person for a period of thirty days
after posting. The revision may be challenged only on grounds that the revision
results in a material change to a Rule. A challenge shall be made as set forth in the
notice of revisions and delivered to the Commission prior to the end of the notice
period. If no challenge is made, the revision will take effect without further action.
If the revision is challenged, the revision may not take effect without the approval
of the Commission.
N. No Participating State’s rulemaking requirements shall apply under this Compact.
Section 10. Oversight, Dispute Resolution, and Enforcement
A. Oversight
1. The executive and judicial branches of State government in each
Participating State shall enforce this Compact and take all actions necessary
and appropriate to implement the Compact.
2. Venue is proper and judicial proceedings by or against the Commission shall
be brought solely and exclusively in a court of competent jurisdiction where
the principal office of the Commission is located. The Commission may
waive venue and jurisdictional defenses to the extent it adopts or consents
to participate in alternative dispute resolution proceedings. Nothing herein
shall affect or limit the selection or propriety of venue in any action against
a licensee for professional malpractice, misconduct, or any such similar
matter.
3. The Commission shall be entitled to receive service of process in any
proceeding regarding the enforcement or interpretation of the Compact or
the Commission’s Rules and shall have standing to intervene in such a
proceeding for all purposes. Failure to provide the Commission with service
of process shall render a judgment or order in such proceeding void as to
the Commission, this Compact, or Commission Rules.
B. Default, Technical Assistance, and Termination
1. If the Commission determines that a Participating State has defaulted in the
performance of its obligations or responsibilities under this Compact or the
Commission Rules, the Commission shall provide written notice to the
defaulting State and other Participating States. The notice shall describe the
default, the proposed means of curing the default, and any other action that
the Commission may take, and shall offer remedial training and specific
technical assistance regarding the default.
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2. If a State in default fails to cure the default, the defaulting State may be
terminated from this Compact upon an affirmative vote of a majority of the
delegates of the Participating States, and all rights, privileges and benefits
conferred by this Compac t upon such State may be terminated on the
effective date of termination. A cure of the default does not relieve the
offending State of obligations or liabilities incurred during the period of
default.
3. Termination of participation in this Compact shall be imposed only after all
other means of securing compliance have been exhausted. Notice of intent
to suspend or terminate shall be given by the Commission to the governor,
the majority and minority leade rs of the defaulting State’s legislature, and
to the Licensing Board(s) of each of the Participating States.
4. A State that has been terminated is responsible for all assessments,
obligations, and liabilities incurred through the effective date of termination,
including obligations that extend beyond the effective date of termination.
5. The Commission shall not bear any costs related to a State that is found to
be in default or that has been terminated from this Compact, unless agreed
upon in writing between the Commission and the defaulting State.
6. The defaulting State may appeal its termination from the Compact by the
Commission by petitioning the United States District Court for the District
of Columbia or the federal district where the Commission has its principal
offices. The prevailing member shall be awarded all costs of such litigation,
including reasonable attorney’s fees.
7. Upon the termination of a State’s participation in the Compact, the State
shall immediately provide notice to all Licensees within that State of such
termination.
a. Licensees who have been granted a Compact Privilege in that State
shall retain the Compact Privilege for one hundred eighty days
following the effective date of such termination.
b. Licensees who are licensed in that State and who have been granted
a Compact Privilege in a Participating State shall retain the Compact
Privilege for one hundred eighty days, unless the Licensee also has
a Qualifying License in a Participating State or o btains a Qualifying
License in a Participating State before the one hundred eighty -day
period ends, in which case the Compact Privilege shall continue.
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C. Dispute Resolution
1. Upon request by a Participating State, the Commission shall attempt to
resolve disputes related to this Compact that arise among Participating
States and between participating and non-Participating States.
2. The Commission shall promulgate a Rule providing for both mediation and
binding dispute resolution for disputes as appropriate.
D. Enforcement
1. The Commission, in the reasonable exercise of its discretion, shall enforce
the provisions of this Compact and Rules of the Commission.
2. If compliance is not secured after all means to secure compliance have been
exhausted, by majority vote, the Commission may initiate legal action in
the United States District Court for the District of Columbia or the federal
district where the Commission has its principal offices, against a
Participating State in default to enforce compliance with the provisions of
this Compact and the Commission’s promulgated Rules and bylaws. The
relief sought may include both injunctive relief and damages. In the eve nt
judicial enforcement is necessary, the prevailing party shall be awarded all
costs of such litigation, including reasonable attorney’s fees.
3. The remedies herein shall not be the exclusive remedies of the Commission.
The Commission may pursue any other remedies available under federal or
State law.
E. Legal Action Against the Commission
1. A Participating State may initiate legal action against the Commission in the
United States District Court for the District of Columbia or the federal district
where the Commission has its principal offices to enforce compliance with
the provisions of the Compact and its Rules. The relief sought may include
both injunctive relief and damages. In the event judicial enforcement is
necessary, the prevailing party shall be awarded all costs of such litigation,
including reasonable attorney’s fees.
2. No person other than a Participating State shall enforce this Compact
against the Commission.
Section 11. Date of Implementation of the PA Licensure Compact Commission
A. This Compact shall come into effect on the date on which this Compact statute is
enacted into law in the seventh Participating State.
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1. On or after the effective date of the Compact, the Commission shall convene
and review the enactment of each of the States that enacted the Compact
prior to the Commission convening ("Charter Participating States") to
determine if the statute enacted by each such Charter Participating State is
materially different than the Model Compact.
a. A Charter Participating State whose enactment is found to be
materially different from the Model Compact shall be entitled to the
default process set forth in Section 10.B.
b. If any Participating State later withdraws from the Compact or its
participation is terminated, the Commission shall remain in existence
and the Compact shall remain in effect even if the number of
Participating States should be less than seven. Participa ting States
enacting the Compact subsequent to the Commission convening
shall be subject to the process set forth in Section 7.C.21 to
determine if their enactments are materially different from the Model
Compact and whether they qualify for participation in the Compact.
2. Participating States enacting the Compact subsequent to the seven initial
Charter Participating States shall be subject to the process set forth in
Section 7.C.21 to determine if their enactments are materially different
from the Model Compact and whether they qualify for participation in the
Compact.
3. All actions taken for the benefit of the Commission or in furtherance of the
purposes of the administration of the Compact prior to the effective date of
the Compact or the Commission coming into existence shall be considered
to be actions of the Commissi on unless specifically repudiated by the
Commission.
B. Any State that joins this Compact shall be subject to the Commission’s Rules and
bylaws as they exist on the date on which this Compact becomes law in that State.
Any Rule that has been previously adopted by the Commission shall have the full
force and effect of law on the day this Compact becomes law in that State.
C. Any Participating State may withdraw from this Compact by enacting a statute
repealing the same.
1. A Participating State’s withdrawal shall not take effect until one hundred
eighty days after enactment of the repealing statute. During this one
hundred eighty day-period, all Compact Privileges that were in effect in the
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withdrawing State and were granted to Licensees licensed in the
withdrawing State shall remain in effect. If any Licensee licensed in the
withdrawing State is also licensed in another Participating State or obtains
a license in another Participating State within the one hundred eighty days,
the Licensee’s Compact Privileges in other Participating States shall not be
affected by the passage of the one hundred eighty days.
2. Withdrawal shall not affect the continuing requirement of the State
Licensing Board(s) of the withdrawing State to comply with the investigative
and Adverse Action reporting requirements of this Compact prior to the
effective date of withdrawal.
3. Upon the enactment of a statute withdrawing a State from this Compact,
the State shall immediately provide notice of such withdrawal to all
Licensees within that State. Such withdrawing State shall continue to
recognize all licenses granted pursuant to th is Compact for a minimum of
one hundred eighty days after the date of such notice of withdrawal.
D. Nothing contained in this Compact shall be construed to invalidate or prevent any
PA licensure agreement or other cooperative arrangement between Participating
States and between a Participating State and non-Participating State that does not
conflict with the provisions of this Compact.
E. This Compact may be amended by the Participating States. No amendment to this
Compact shall become effective and binding upon any Participating State until it is
enacted materially in the same manner into the laws of all Participating States as
determined by the Commission.
Section 12. Construction and Severability
A. This Compact and the Commission’s rulemaking authority shall be liberally
construed so as to effectuate the purposes, and the implementation and
administration of the Compact. Provisions of the Compact expressly authorizing or
requiring the promulgation of Rules shall not be construed to limit the
Commission’s rulemaking authority solely for those purposes.
B. The provisions of this Compact shall be severable and if any phrase, clause,
sentence, or provision of this Compact is held by a court of competent jurisdiction
to be contrary to the constitution of any Participating State, a State seeking
participation in the Compact, or of the United States, or the applicability thereof to
any government, agency, person, or circumstance is held to be unconstitutional by
a court of competent jurisdiction, the validity of the remainder of this Compact and
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the applicability thereof to any other government, agency, person, or circumstance
shall not be affected thereby.
C. Notwithstanding subsection B of this section, the Commission may deny a State’s
participation in the Compact or, in accordance with the requirements of Section
10.B, terminate a Participating State’s participation in the Compact, if it determines
that a c onstitutional requirement of a Participating State is, or would be with
respect to a State seeking to participate in the Compact, a material departure from
the Compact. Otherwise, if this Compact shall be held to be contrary to the
constitution of any Pa rticipating State, the Compact shall remain in full force and
effect as to the remaining Participating States and in full force and effect as to the
Participating State affected as to all severable matters.
Section 13. Binding Effect of Compact
A. Nothing herein prevents the enforcement of any other law of a Participating State
that is not inconsistent with this Compact.
B. Any laws in a Participating State in conflict with this Compact are superseded to
the extent of the conflict.
C. All agreements between the Commission and the Participating States are binding
in accordance with their terms.
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An Act to adopt the physician assistant licensure compact.

I certify that the attached Act originated in
the:

House as Bill No. 1146

Chief Clerk of the House

Speaker of the House

Attest:

Chief Clerk of the House

President of the Senate

Attest:

Secretary of the Senate

House Bill No. 1146
File No. ____
Chapter No. ______

Received at this Executive Office
this _____ day of _____________,

2026 at ____________M.

By
for the Governor

The attached Act is hereby
approved this ________ day of
______________, A.D., 2026

Governor

STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA,
ss.
Office of the Secretary of State

Filed ____________, 2026
at _________ o'clock __M.

Secretary of State

By
Asst. Secretary of State