PA Licensure Compact Bill Passes Texas House of Representatives

HB 2544 Heads to the State Senate Health and Human Services Committee

May 2, 2023

By Clare Kessler

With the recent Texas House of Representatives passage of HB 2544, the Lone Star State is on its way toward becoming the next state to adopt the PA Licensure Compact! On April 26, the House passed the legislation by a vote of 135-11.

Sponsored by Rep. Elizabeth Campos, HB 2544 authorizes PAs to practice in participating compact states without obtaining additional licenses, thus reducing administrative burdens, decreasing costs, and increasing access to high-quality healthcare services for Texans.

Texas Academy of Physician Assistants (TAPA) President Ryan English, PA-C, said the PA Compact will greatly benefit Texas’ healthcare system, clinics, and most importantly patients.

“The PA Licensure Compact will benefit our patients, small clinics and large healthcare systems by reducing the administrative barriers and creating a legally binding framework to recognize a valid, unencumbered PA license in participating compact states,” English said. “TAPA extends our gratitude to the House for passing HB 2544, and we urge the Senate to quickly follow their lead.”

TAPA President-Elect Janith Mills, MPAS, PA-C, DFAAPA  underscored how the PA Licensure Compact will also provide support for military families.

“The compact will alleviate burdens for military families by allowing active-duty military personnel and their spouse to obtain a Compact Privilege based on having an unrestricted license in good standing from a participating state,” Mills said, noting that the Department of Defense, is a supporter of a PA licensure compact to ease the burden on military families.

The bill will head to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee next under the sponsorship of Sen. Angela Paxton.

AAPA announced the release of the PA Licensure Compact model legislation in November 2022, ahead of the 2023 legislative session. In order for the compact to become active, seven states need to adopt the compact language through legislation. When this occurs, a commission will be established to set up essential processes and administer the new compact.

The PA Licensure Compact will make it easier for PAs to practice in multiple states. PAs holding a valid, unencumbered license in one compact state will be able to apply for a “compact privilege” to practice in other compact states. A compact privilege will provide authorization to practice as a PA under that state’s laws and regulations.

In March, Utah became the first state to adopt the compact. Several other states are working diligently on PA Licensure Compact bills for the 2023 legislative session as well. Minnesota, Ohio, and Rhode Island Texas have each introduced bills to adopt the compact in their respective states.

Further information on the PA Licensure Compact, model legislation, and other compact resources may be accessed at pacompact.org.

You may also reach out to [email protected] with additional questions.

Clare Kessler is AAPA’s Coordinator, State Advocacy and Outreach.

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