PRIA Logo™
MontanaHB 18369th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)House

Enact PA licensure compact

Sponsored By: Jodee Etchart (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Health Care ServicesHealthProfessions and Occupations O-ZInterstate CooperationRule Making

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

PAs can practice across compact states

Montana joins the PA licensure compact. If you hold a qualifying, unrestricted PA license and meet the rules (accredited program, pass the national PA exam, and no disqualifying convictions or active limits), you can get a compact privilege to work with patients in other compact states. You must list your primary home address, accept legal mail there, meet each remote state’s law exam or rules, and pay any state privilege fees. To prescribe controlled drugs in a remote state, you must meet that state’s requirements. If your home-state license is limited or revoked, your compact privilege in all states shuts off and stays off until your license is clear and two years have passed. States cannot punish you for conduct that was legal where it happened.

Cross‑state discipline and investigations for PAs

Your home (issuing) state keeps the power to discipline your main PA license and applies its own laws to reported conduct. Remote states can act on your compact privilege and issue subpoenas; courts in other states enforce them, and the issuing authority pays witness and service fees where evidence is located. States may rely on each other’s factual findings and can do joint investigations. States must promptly report adverse actions to the compact data system. If Montana law allows it, you may be charged investigation and case costs after discipline.

Fingerprints and checks for PA licenses

To get a Montana PA license, you must submit fingerprints for state and federal background checks and pay the fees. The board may also require fingerprints when you renew. The Montana Department of Justice may share your fingerprints with the FBI for these checks.

PA compact setup and timing

The compact takes effect when seven states enact it. When Montana joins, the commission’s existing rules and bylaws apply here. Montana’s licensing board must meet compact duties like linking to the data system, requiring background checks, and reporting actions. A state can withdraw, but not until 180 days after repeal; compact privileges continue during that period. Amendments to the compact bind states only after all participating states enact them in the same way.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jodee Etchart

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Gregg Hunter

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 293 • No: 4

Senate vote • 3/17/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 47 • No: 2

Senate vote • 3/15/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 48 • No: 2

House vote • 1/28/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 98 • No: 0

House vote • 1/27/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 100 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter Number Assigned

    4/3/2025House

  2. Signed by Governor

    4/3/2025House

  3. Transmitted to Governor

    3/25/2025House

  4. Signed by President

    3/24/2025Senate

  5. Signed by Speaker

    3/21/2025House

  6. Returned from Enrolling

    3/18/2025House

  7. Sent to Enrolling

    3/17/2025House

  8. 3rd Reading

    3/17/2025Senate

  9. 2nd Reading

    3/15/2025Senate

  10. Committee Report

    2/24/2025Senate

  11. Committee Executive Action

    2/24/2025Senate

  12. Hearing

    2/13/2025Senate

  13. Referred to Committee

    2/11/2025Senate

  14. 1st Reading

    1/29/2025Senate

  15. Transmitted to Senate

    1/28/2025House

  16. 3rd Reading

    1/28/2025House

  17. 2nd Reading

    1/27/2025House

  18. Committee Report

    1/22/2025House

  19. Committee Executive Action

    1/22/2025House

  20. Fiscal Note Printed

    1/21/2025House

  21. Fiscal Note Signed

    1/20/2025House

  22. Hearing

    1/20/2025House

  23. Fiscal Note Received

    1/20/2025House

  24. Hearing

    1/16/2025House

  25. 1st Reading

    1/14/2025House

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    3/18/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    1/13/2025

    PDF

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation