SB 1492 - This act establishes provisions relating to licensure of physician assistants, including license reciprocity and the Physician Assistant Licensure Compact.RECIPROCITY FOR PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS (SECTIONS 334.742)
Current law provides that any nonresident who enters the state and intends to practice as a physician assistant may apply for a license, provided that the applicant meets the requirements imposed by a certifying entity recognized by the Department of Commerce and Insurance.
This act repeals this provision and instead provides that the State Board of Registration for the Healing Arts ("Board") shall waive, within six months, any examination, educational, or experience requirements for licensure to any person who holds a valid physician assistant license issued by another jurisdiction or branch of the Armed Forces of the United States and who has been licensed for at least one year if it determines that the person met the minimum requirements of the other state. The Board may require an applicant to take and pass an examination specific to Missouri law. For military spouses with licensure in another state, the Board shall waive such examination, educational, or experience requirements and issue a license within thirty days.
The Board shall not waive any examination, educational, or experience requirements for any person who has a revoked license, is currently under investigation or disciplinary action, has a complaint pending, does not hold a license in good standing, has a criminal record which would disqualify the person from licensure in this state, or does not hold a valid current license in the other jurisdiction on the date of receipt by the Board of his or her application.
Additionally, any person who is licensed under this act shall be subject to the Board's jurisdiction and all rules and regulations. Finally, this act shall not be construed to waive any requirement for fees of licensure.
These provisions are identical to provisions in HB 1388 (2025).
PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT LICENSURE COMPACT (SECTION 334.1800)
This act establishes the Physician Assistant Licensure Compact ("Compact"), which allows for the interstate licensure of physician assistants. The Compact sets forth the requirements to be met in order for a state to join and maintain membership in the Compact. Additionally, the Compact provides the requirements for a physician assistant to obtain and exercise the ability to practice in the remote participating states.
A compact privilege expires when the licensee's qualifying license in the participating state from which the licensee applied for the compact privilege expires. A participating state in which a licensee is licensed shall have exclusive power to impose adverse actions against the license issued by that state. A remote state shall have the authority to take adverse action to remove the compact privilege within that state for a physician assistant. Participating states may also conduct joint investigations with other participating states. Participating states shall report licensure data along with any adverse action and significant investigative information to the data system established in the Compact.
Additionally, the Compact creates the PA Licensure Compact Commission ("Commission"), which is a joint government agency of participating states with the power to administer and implement the Compact. Each participating state shall be entitled to one delegate, who shall be selected by the state's licensing authority for physician assistants and who shall either be a current physician assistant, physician, or member or administrator of the licensing board. The Commission shall meet at least once a year. Additionally, there shall be an Executive Committee to act on behalf of the Commission, including on day-to-day activities related to the administration of the Compact. The Executive Committee shall be composed of seven members from the current Commission and two of members from national professional and certification organizations.
The Commission may levy and collect an annual assessment from each participating state and impose fees on licensees to whom it grants compact privileges to cover the costs of the operations and activities of the Commission and its staff.
Commissioners, officers, executive directors, employees, and agents of the Commission shall be immune from liability, both personally and in their official capacity, for any claim for damages arising out of any acts or omissions that occurred within the scope of the Commission's employment, duties, or responsibilities, except for those damages caused by intentional or willful or wanton misconduct. The procurement of insurance by the Commission shall not limit such immunity. For any actions by or against the Commission, venue is proper in a court of competent jurisdiction where the principal office of the Commission is located.
Furthermore, the Compact shall come into effect on the date in which the seventh state enacts the Compact into law. Any participating state may withdraw from the Compact by repealing the Compact, but such withdrawal shall not take effect until 180 days after the enactment of the repeal. If a state defaults in the performance of its obligations or responsibilities under the Compact or its rules, the Commission, after notifying state officials and upon a majority vote of the Commission, may terminate membership of the defaulting state.
Finally, the Compact shall be binding upon participating states and shall supersede any conflict with state law.
This act is identical to HB 1388 (2025).
KATIE O'BRIEN