Arizona adopts the Physician Assistant Licensure Compact, which, once 7 states have enacted it, lets qualifying physician assistants licensed in one member state get a "compact privilege" to practice in other member states, including Arizona, under that state's laws.
Official title: physician assistants; licensure compact
- September 12, 2026: Arizona's adoption of the compact into state law
- When the compact has been enacted in a 7th member state: The compact itself coming into effect and the commission being formed
What changes
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NowA physician assistant (PA) with an unrestricted license in a member state may get a compact privilege to treat patients in another member state without a separate license there. Arizona must grant this privilege to qualifying PAs and may charge a fee for it.
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NowTo use the privilege, a PA must, among other things: have graduated from an accredited PA program, hold current national (NCCPA) certification, have no felony or misdemeanor conviction, never have had a controlled substance license or registration suspended or revoked, have no license revoked or currently restricted for discipline, notify the compact commission, meet any state law exam ("jurisprudence") requirement of the state where they want to practice, and report discipline by a non-member state within 30 days.
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NowCare is treated as happening where the patient is located, so a PA practicing under the privilege is under that state's licensing board. That state may discipline or remove the privilege. Only the state that issued the license may discipline the license itself. If the license is disciplined, the PA's privileges in all other member states are turned off until 2 years after all restrictions are removed.
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NowA PA who wants to prescribe controlled substances in another member state must meet all of that state's requirements for that authority.
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NowArizona's licensing board must take part in a shared national data system, report discipline and significant investigation information, use criminal background checks, and require passing a recognized national exam for licensure. A national commission of member states may make rules that are binding in Arizona, may charge member states an annual assessment, and may charge PAs compact privilege fees. Arizona's own rulemaking requirements do not apply to commission rules.
Who it affects
- Physician assistants licensed in Arizona or other member states
- Patients treated by physician assistants
- Arizona Regulatory Board of Physician Assistants
What you need to do
Nothing required. Physician assistants who want a compact privilege must apply through the compact commission and meet the listed requirements once the compact is in effect.
What the law doesn't answer
- How many states have already enacted the compact or when the 7-state threshold will be met
- How much Arizona or the commission will charge for a compact privilege
- Amount of the annual assessment Arizona would pay to the commission
- When PAs could first apply for a compact privilege
- Whether Arizona will set a jurisprudence (state law exam) requirement
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.