All Roll Calls
Yes: 242 • No: 2
CaliforniaAB 15012025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
Physician assistants and podiatrists.
Sponsored By: Marc Berman (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.
Higher podiatry license and renewal fees
To apply for a podiatry certificate, you pay $100 for the application and $100 for the certificate. The first license costs $800; the board can cut this by up to 50% for recent approved trainees. Renewal every two years costs $1,900; residents pay 50% at their first renewal. Other fees are $150 late, $100 duplicate certificate, $100 good‑standing or loan‑deferment letter, $100 resident license, and $250 to approve a continuing education course. The first license expires in the second year on the last day of your birth month. The board must not set fees above its actual costs.
What podiatrists can do and where
The law defines podiatric medicine to include the foot, the ankle, and tendons that insert into the foot. Podiatrists may perform ankle and tendon surgeries and partial foot amputations up to the Chopart’s joint. They may do these procedures only in licensed or accredited settings, and only with the right hospital privileges and protocols. A podiatrist may use only local anesthesia; other anesthesia must be given by another licensed provider. A podiatrist cannot be the primary surgeon for care beyond their legal scope. Trained podiatrists can treat leg ulcers up to the tibial tubercle, and payers must classify them as doctors of podiatric medicine for reimbursement.
New board and rules for PAs
The law creates a nine‑member Physician Assistant Board to run PA licensing through January 1, 2030. The board sets licensure standards and requires exams for qualified applicants. PA programs accredited by a nationally approved accreditor count as approved. The board must issue clear rules for how it reviews license applications. If the board’s authorizing law is repealed, the Legislature reviews the board.
Stronger state oversight of podiatrists
The law continues the Podiatric Medical Board of California inside the Department of Consumer Affairs until January 1, 2030. Public protection is the board’s top priority when it licenses and disciplines podiatrists. The board can adopt rules under the state’s rulemaking law. It is a misdemeanor to use podiatric titles without a valid, unsuspended certificate. The board must also issue certificates by credentialing to qualified out‑of‑state podiatrists who meet education, exam, training, and clean‑record checks, including a Federation disciplinary report. If the creating law is later repealed, the Legislature reviews the board.
Limits on supervising and employing PAs
One physician may supervise no more than eight physician assistants at the same time, unless a legal exception applies. The Medical Board can limit a doctor to supervising only certain types of PAs or stop supervision outside the doctor’s specialty. A PA may work under a physician only if that physician does not have a disciplinary condition that forbids supervision.
PA license fees and birthdate renewals
PA fees are set by law: application $60 (can be up to $80), initial license $250 (up to $500), and renewal every two years $300 (up to $500). Other fees include $75 late, $10 duplicate license, and $50 for letters or verifications. PA licenses now expire at midnight on the last day of your birth month in the second year. The board staggers dates and prorates fees. You renew on time, pay the fee, and sign under penalty of perjury. The program cannot be funded by raising fees under Section 3521.1, and an older fee section is repealed.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Marc Berman
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 9/10/2025
Item 280 — Assembly AFLOOR
Yes: 76 • No: 1
Senate vote • 9/9/2025
Item 200 — Senate SFLOOR
Yes: 40 • No: 0
legislature vote • 8/29/2025
Vote in CS61
Yes: 7 • No: 0
legislature vote • 8/18/2025
Vote in CS61
Yes: 7 • No: 0
legislature vote • 6/30/2025
Vote in CS42
Yes: 7 • No: 0
House vote • 6/2/2025
Item 304 — Assembly AFLOOR
Yes: 75 • No: 1
legislature vote • 5/23/2025
Vote in CX25
Yes: 13 • No: 0
legislature vote • 4/29/2025
Vote in CX33
Yes: 17 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 194, Statutes of 2025.
10/1/2025SenateApproved by the Governor.
10/1/2025legislatureEnrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m.
9/22/2025legislatureSenate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 76. Noes 1. Page 3241.).
9/10/2025HouseIn Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
9/9/2025HouseRead third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 40. Noes 0. Page 2701.).
9/9/2025SenateRead second time. Ordered to third reading.
9/2/2025SenateRead second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.
8/29/2025SenateFrom committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (August 29).
8/29/2025SenateIn committee: Referred to suspense file.
8/18/2025SenateRead second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
7/17/2025SenateFrom committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (June 30).
7/16/2025SenateFrom committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on B. P. & E.D.
6/26/2025SenateFrom committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on B. P. & E.D.
6/25/2025SenateReferred to Com. on B. P. & E.D.
6/11/2025SenateIn Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
6/3/2025SenateRead third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 75. Noes 1. Page 1892.)
6/2/2025HouseRead second time. Ordered to third reading.
5/27/2025HouseFrom committee: Do pass. (Ayes 13. Noes 0.) (May 23).
5/23/2025HouseIn committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
5/14/2025HouseRe-referred to Com. on APPR.
5/1/2025HouseRead second time and amended.
4/30/2025HouseFrom committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 17. Noes 0.) (April 29).
4/29/2025HouseReferred to Com. on B. & P.
3/13/2025HouseFrom printer. May be heard in committee March 27.
2/25/2025House
Bill Text
Chaptered
10/1/2025
Enrolled
9/12/2025
Amended Senate
8/29/2025
Amended Senate
7/17/2025
Amended Senate
6/26/2025
Amended Senate
6/25/2025
Amended Assembly
4/30/2025
Introduced
2/24/2025