All Roll Calls
Yes: 127 • No: 7
IowaSF 219091st General Assembly (2025–2026)Senate
A bill for an act relating to the use of the titles physician assistant and physician associate. (Formerly SSB 3059.) Effective date: 07/01/2026.
Sponsored By: COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Physician assistants now called physician associates
Beginning July 1, 2026, Iowa uses the title "physician associate" instead of "physician assistant." The terms "physician assistant," "physician associate," and "P.A." all mean the same thing. During the transition, people eligible for a license under chapter 148C may use any of these titles. If you qualify for licensure, you may put "physician assistant associate" or "P.A." after your name. Employers, hospitals, payors, and others must not change or end relationships or discriminate only because you use "physician associate." Anyone can rely on a "physician associate" having the same rights and duties as before. The title change does not change scope of practice.
State updates laws and forms to new title
Beginning July 1, 2026, the Code editor replaces "physician assistant" with "physician associate" across the Iowa Code. Agencies may submit editorial rule changes to swap the term without full rulemaking. Each state agency must update active guidance, forms, and documents to the new title as soon as practical and cost‑efficient. Agencies must finish by January 1, 2027. The Code editor may also make matching changes in other Acts when there is no doubt and no conflict.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/9/2026
Passed House
Yes: 90 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/3/2026
Passed Senate
Yes: 37 • No: 7
Actions Timeline
Signed by Governor.
4/9/2026GovernorReported correctly enrolled, signed by President and Speaker, and sent to Governor.
4/9/2026SenateMessage from House.
3/10/2026HouseExplanation of vote.
3/10/2026legislatureImmediate message.
3/9/2026legislatureExplanation of vote.
3/9/2026legislaturePassed House, yeas 90, nays 0.
3/9/2026HouseSubstituted for HF 2269.
3/9/2026legislatureRead first time, passed on file.
3/4/2026legislatureMessage from Senate.
3/3/2026SenateImmediate message.
3/3/2026legislaturePassed Senate, yeas 37, nays 7.
3/3/2026SenateCommittee report, approving bill.
2/4/2026legislatureIntroduced, placed on calendar.
2/4/2026legislature
Bill Text
As Introduced
Enrolled
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