All Roll Calls
Yes: 139 • No: 0
North DakotaHB 16222025 Special SessionHouseWALLET
AN ACT to create and enact chapter 43-17.5 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the physician assistant licensure compact; to amend and reenact section 43-17-01, subsection 1 of section 43-17-02.1, and sections 43-17-02.2 and 43-17-46 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the requirements of physician assistants privileged to practice under the physician assistant licensure compact; and to provide an effective date.
Sponsored By: Legislative Management
Became Law
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 3 mixed.
Discipline can halt PA privileges
A compact privilege stays valid until the qualifying license expires or is revoked, unless there is adverse action. If the issuing state limits or disciplines the qualifying license, all compact privileges are deactivated. They stay off until the license is fully restored and two years have passed after the restriction is removed. Privileges also deactivate while certain disciplinary orders are pending.
Easier multistate practice for PAs
PAs can treat North Dakota patients with either a North Dakota PA license or a compact privilege. To get a compact privilege, a PA must graduate from an accredited program, keep NCCPA certification, and have no disqualifying crimes or drug-registration revocations. The PA must hold an unrestricted qualifying license, meet the remote state’s law test, report certain adverse actions within 30 days, and pay applicable fees.
PA compact commission and data rules
The law creates a multistate commission to run the PA Compact. The compact starts when seven states have enacted it. The commission can make binding rules, set fees and assessments, and operate a shared data system. States that join must license PAs, share adverse actions and major investigative data, run criminal background checks, require a national exam, and grant compact privileges to qualifying licensees. The commission can find a state in default, help it cure problems, and end its membership after notice; compact privileges have a 180‑day transition after a termination.
Compact fees and late-filing penalties
The Board of Medicine must pay compact commission fees from its own funds, not the state general fund. Physicians and PAs who miss the Board’s addendum deadline can be charged up to three times the normal license fee. The Board may treat a missed addendum as noncompliance, hold a hearing, and discipline the license or compact privilege.
Protected use of PA and doctor titles
Only licensed physicians or resident physicians may use titles like “physician,” “M.D.,” or “D.O.” Only licensed or compact‑privileged individuals may use “physician assistant” or “P.A.” People may still use earned degree titles, but they cannot practice without a license or compact privilege. The law also updates definitions so “licensee” and “physician assistant” include those with compact privileges.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Legislative Management
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 1/23/2026
Second reading, passed, yeas 46 nays 0
Yes: 46 • No: 0
House vote • 1/22/2026
Second reading, passed, yeas 93 nays 0
Yes: 93 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Filed with Secretary Of State 01/23
1/28/2026HouseSigned by Governor 01/23
1/23/2026HouseSent to Governor
1/23/2026HouseSigned by Speaker
1/23/2026HouseSigned by President
1/23/2026SenateReturned to House
1/23/2026HouseSecond reading, passed, yeas 46 nays 0
1/23/2026SenateReported back, do pass, placed on calendar 14 0 0
1/22/2026SenateIntroduced, first reading, referred Joint Policy Committee
1/22/2026SenateReceived from House
1/22/2026SenateSecond reading, passed, yeas 93 nays 0
1/22/2026HouseReported back, do pass, place on calendar 13 0 1
1/21/2026HouseCommittee Hearing 01:00
1/21/2026HouseCommittee Hearing 11:30
1/21/2026HouseIntroduced, first reading, referred Joint Policy Committee
1/21/2026House
Bill Text
Enrollment
INTRODUCED
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