AlabamaHB1562026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Physician Assistants; interstate licensure compact, established

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Physician assistants gain cross-state practice options

Beginning October 1, 2026, Alabama's law establishes a shared licensing agreement called the Physician Assistant Licensure Compact. The compact takes effect when the seventh state enacts it. Physician assistants with unrestricted qualifying licenses from participating states can get permission to serve Alabama patients without separate Alabama licenses. They must follow Alabama law, and practice takes place legally where the patient is located. States can also keep other licensing agreements that do not conflict with the compact.

Physician assistant checks and records expand

Alabama must require criminal background checks and a recognized national exam for physician assistant licenses. It must review complaints and grant compact practice privileges to qualifying assistants. Alabama must share identifying and license records, discipline, license denials and reasons, and significant investigation information through the compact's system. Only participating states can see significant investigation information. Records must be removed after Alabama reports that they were legally expunged.

Physician assistants face binding compact rules

The compact commission's rules have the force of law in participating states. Joining states must follow the commission's existing rules and bylaws when the compact becomes law there. The compact overrides conflicting parts of state law while a state participates; other state laws remain in place. In Alabama, a commission rule does not apply where a court finds it conflicts with state law defining permitted medical services.

Physician assistants get limited exit protections

A state's withdrawal takes effect 180 days after it enacts a repeal; existing privileges remain active during that period. The state must recognize compact licenses for at least 180 days after notice and keep reporting pre-withdrawal investigations and discipline. After termination, privileges in that state and affected assistants' privileges elsewhere continue for 180 days. To keep privileges elsewhere longer, assistants must have or obtain another participating-state qualifying license before those 180 days end. The compact continues for remaining states even when fewer than seven remain.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Paul W. Lee
Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 257 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/5/2026

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 715

Yes: 28 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/5/2026

Third Reading in Second House

Yes: 27 • No: 0

House vote • 2/3/2026

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 257

Yes: 101 • No: 0 • Other: 1