KentuckyHB 362026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

AN ACT relating to interstate licensure compacts.

Sponsored By: Steve Bratcher (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Boards And CommissionsCompacts, InterstateHealth And Medical ServicesLicensingPhysicians

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

12 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 8 mixed.

Discipline and remote-state powers under compacts

If you practice under a compact privilege, you must follow the patient state's scope-of-practice rules. That state can discipline you, remove your privilege there, fine you, and issue subpoenas that other member states enforce. If any member state disciplines or encumbers your qualifying license, your compact privileges in all states deactivate. You must clear the issue and have two clean years before restoration. Home and remote states share investigations and may recover costs as allowed by law.

Athletic trainers can practice across states

The law lets athletic trainers practice in other member states using a compact privilege. To qualify, you complete a criminal background check, hold a qualifying license and certification, and have no encumbrance in the last two years. Your compact privilege lasts until your qualifying license expires and renews with that license. You only need to meet your home state's continuing education. You may choose only one qualifying license at a time. States cannot punish you for conduct that was legal where it happened.

Dietitians: interstate practice and checks

Dietitians can practice across member states using a compact privilege. You qualify if you are a registered dietitian or you completed required education, at least 1,000 supervised hours, and passed the exam within five years. You must hold an unencumbered home-state license, meet the remote state's law, notify the commission, and pay any fees. Kentucky takes your fingerprints for FBI checks and may charge only the actual processing cost. The board reviews the results to decide if you are eligible. Member states may charge a fee to issue or renew a compact privilege. Kentucky funds compact costs from KRS 310.041 receipts, not the general fund.

Multistate practice for dietitians

The law creates a Dietitian Licensure Compact so qualified dietitians can practice in other member states with a compact privilege. A new commission runs the compact, makes rules after public notice and hearing, and can collect fees to operate. Each member state has one voting delegate, and an executive committee manages work between meetings. Compact rules have the force of law unless they conflict with a state’s dietitian practice laws. The compact applies only to dietitians who use a compact privilege.

Multistate practice for respiratory therapists

The law lets eligible respiratory therapists practice in other member states using a compact privilege. To qualify, you must keep an active home-state license and NBRC credential, have no adverse action in the last two years, meet each state’s law test, report changes within 30 days, and pay any fees. Remote states can subpoena and discipline your compact privilege, and may bill you for investigation costs if state law allows. If your home-state license is encumbered, you lose all compact privileges until it is cleared and two years have passed. Kentucky’s licensing authority reviews new compact rules within 60 days and files them as emergency and regular regulations.

Athletic trainer compact commission and rules

The compact creates a commission to run the system. The commission can make rules with the force of law, with public notice and emergency rules allowed on 24 hours' notice. It runs a shared data system for licenses and discipline, without criminal-history records. Only member states can sue to enforce the compact, and they may recover costs. Compact rules override conflicting state laws. The compact starts when seven states join.

Respiratory Care Compact setup and safeguards

The law creates a respiratory care compact commission to run interstate practice. It operates a shared database of licenses, actions, and investigations; criminal-history records are excluded, and expunged data is removed. The commission can make rules after public notice and hearings and adopt emergency rules with 24 hours' notice. Kentucky must file those rules as emergency and ordinary regulations within 60 days or begin withdrawal. The compact takes effect when seven states enact it, and after any withdrawal, compact privileges continue for at least 180 days. Kentucky pays commission costs from KRS 314A.215 receipts, not the general fund.

Military keep home state, lower fees

Active-duty service members and spouses can keep one home state for licensure while on active duty. They do not pay commission fees for a compact privilege. A member state may also charge a reduced fee or no fee to them. Usual licensure and good-standing rules still apply.

Fees to fund trainer compact

The athletic trainer compact commission can charge licensees fees and assess member states to fund its budget. It sets the allocation formula by rule and cannot spend money it does not have. Expect possible commission-set fees tied to your compact participation.

How to change your home state

If you move between member states and change your home state, you must apply for a new home-state license, pay fees, and tell both states. The new home state verifies your record and requires FBI fingerprints and any jurisprudence checks. Your old home-state license becomes a compact privilege after the new license activates. If you do not meet the criteria, the new state can require a single-state license.

Dietitian compact data and checks

The commission runs a shared data system with a unique ID for each applicant. States must share license status, denials, adverse actions, and current investigations; certified records are usable in hearings. States must run FBI fingerprint checks for initial compact privileges, and Kentucky requires state and national checks for specified applicants. States can mark some data as nonpublic, and expunged records must be removed. These steps help portability and public safety while adding background checks and data sharing.

Rules to run athletic trainer compact

The compact sets how member laws are reviewed and applied, including for early and later-joining states. Prior lawful actions taken for the compact count unless the commission rejects them. If a state withdraws, compact privileges are still recognized for at least 180 days after notice. Amendments bind states only if all enact them. The commission can deny or end a state’s participation for material constitutional conflicts. In Kentucky, the athletic trainer licensing authority implements the compact and has 60 days to file commission rules, or the withdrawal process starts.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Steve Bratcher
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Adam Moore
Democrat • House
Aaron Thompson
Republican • House
Beverly Chester-Burton
Democrat • House
Daniel Grossberg
Democrat • House
Julie Raque Adams
Republican • Senate
Kimberly Poore Moser
Republican • House
Vanessa Grossl
Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 224 • No: 0

House vote • 4/1/2026

passed

Yes: 90 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/31/2026