OklahomaHB 2584Oklahoma 2026 Regular SessionHouse

Physicians assistants; Pharmacy Act; prescriptions for controlled dangerous substances; Physician Assistant Act; Committee; members; requirements; Public Health Code; authority for physician assistants to carry out certain functions; prescribing and administering controlled substances; supervision.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 2 mixed.

Experienced physician assistants gain practice freedom

Physician assistants can practice without physician supervision after completing and reporting 6,240 postgraduate clinical practice hours to the state medical board. Hours earned before the law’s effective date count. Eligible assistants can still keep a practice agreement. The Board can require supervision as discipline.

Physician assistants can certify patient deaths

Physician assistants can complete and sign the medical part of a death certificate as authorized by their practice agreement. Medical certification generally must be completed and signed within 48 hours after death. Exceptions apply when a cause-of-death inquiry is required and in hospice cases.

Independent physician assistants need malpractice coverage

Physician assistants without a practice agreement must carry malpractice insurance or show financial responsibility. The minimum is $1 million per occurrence and $3 million total per year. An employer can meet the requirement on the assistant’s behalf. Federal-agency coverage satisfies it only during covered federal employment or contract work. This minimum does not apply to assistants practicing under a practice agreement.

Newer physician assistants face supervision rules

Physician assistants below 6,240 postgraduate clinical hours—or who have not reported those hours—must work under physician supervision. Their services must stay within the physician’s scope, and their practice agreement must state prescribing limits and physician participation and availability. Agreements can cover multiple qualified physicians in good standing; agreements and amendments must be filed within 10 business days. For a newly diagnosed complex illness, assistants must contact the physician within 48 hours of the first exam or treatment and arrange evaluation as directed. The law also repeals Section 521.4; the supplied text does not explain that repeal’s effects.

Patients gain prescription options with limits

Oklahoma pharmacists can accept prescriptions from Oklahoma-licensed physician assistants authorized to prescribe within their scope under a practice agreement. They can also fill noncontrolled prescriptions from out-of-state advanced practice nurses and physician assistants licensed where they actively prescribe. That out-of-state rule does not include controlled drugs. For controlled prescriptions from these groups, physician assistants must be Oklahoma-licensed. Advanced practice nurses must be Oklahoma-licensed and supervised by an Oklahoma-licensed practitioner.

Physician assistants gain prescriptions with limits

Physician assistants recognized to prescribe by the state medical board and registered under controlled-drug law can prescribe and administer controlled drugs. Without a practice agreement, they can issue oral or written prescriptions and orders, but controlled-drug prescriptions are limited to Schedules III–V. Under an agreement, they can prescribe Schedules II–V only as delegated; Schedule II prescriptions require a physician’s written protocol. They cannot prescribe a schedule their delegating physician is not registered for. Assistants cannot dispense drugs, but can handle and distribute professional samples.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Kyle Hilbert
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Lonnie Paxton
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 352 • No: 137

Senate vote • 5/30/2025

OVERRIDE

Yes: 33 • No: 13

House vote • 5/29/2025

OVERRIDE

Yes: 68 • No: 16

House vote • 5/21/2025

FOURTH READING

Yes: 63 • No: 29

Senate vote • 5/8/2025

THIRD READING

Yes: 32 • No: 14

Senate vote • 4/21/2025

Committee vote: Health & Human Services

Yes: 7 • No: 5

House vote • 3/25/2025

THIRD READING

Yes: 63 • No: 33

House vote • 3/25/2025

EMERGENCY

Yes: 67 • No: 26

House vote • 3/5/2025

DO PASS

Yes: 14 • No: 0

House vote • 2/24/2025