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Anyone serving as chief medical officer for an Arizona state agency must have an active license to practice medicine in Arizona, regardless of any other law.
Official title: agency; chief medical officer; license
- September 12, 2026
What changes
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NowAny person serving as chief medical officer for a state agency must possess an active license to practice medicine in Arizona under the state medical licensing laws named in the bill (Title 32, Chapter 13 or 17). The bill says this applies "notwithstanding any other law," which generally means it controls even if another law says something different.
Who it affects
- People serving as, or seeking to serve as, chief medical officer of an Arizona state agency
- State agencies that have a chief medical officer
What you need to do
Nothing for most people. Anyone serving as a state agency's chief medical officer must hold an active Arizona license to practice medicine.
What the law doesn't answer
- Whether a current chief medical officer without an Arizona license must step down, or gets time to obtain one
- Who enforces the requirement or what happens if it is not met
- Which state agencies have a chief medical officer
- How "chief medical officer" is defined
This summary describes the law as enacted. Later laws, court rulings or referendum petitions can change the picture. Check the official text for the current wording.