House Bill 156 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Paul W. LeeRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Physician Assistants; interstate licensure compact, established

Summary

HB156 would adopt the Physician Assistant Licensure Compact in Alabama, allowing licensed PAs to practice across participating states under a shared framework and a new Commission to manage it.

What This Bill Does

It creates the PA Licensure Compact and enables mutual recognition of PA licenses so a PA can provide care in other participating states where the patient is located. It sets participation requirements for PAs and states, and establishes disciplinary and joint-investigation procedures. It creates the PA Licensure Compact Commission to administer the compact, set rules, manage a shared data system, and handle enforcement and financing. It also includes protections for patients and recognizes that practice occurs where the patient is located, with considerations for military families.

Who It Affects

• Physician assistants (PAs) licensed in Alabama (and other participating states) who may obtain a compact privilege to practice in other member states, subject to education, certification, background checks, and adherence to compact rules.
• Patients in Alabama (and in other participating states) who receive PA-delivered medical services, with oversight and discipline carried out under the state where the patient is located and information shared across states via the data system.

Key Provisions

• Adopts the PA Licensure Compact, creates the PA Licensure Compact Commission, and establishes a centralized data system to manage licenses, adverse actions, and significant investigative information across participating states.
• Sets eligibility and ongoing requirements for compact privileges: graduates of an accredited PA program, current NCCPA certification, no felony/misdemeanor convictions, no active/disqualifying controlled-substance license issues, a unique identifier, a qualifying license in a participating state, and compliance with jurisprudence requirements and background checks.
• Defines disciplinary actions and investigative processes: participating states can take adverse action; remote states can enforce under their laws; joint investigations are allowed; adverse actions deactivate the compact privilege in all remote states for a set period; states share information and may recover investigation costs; escalation to termination if noncompliance continues.
• Establishes governing structure and finances: a PA Licensure Compact Commission with an executive committee, rulemaking authority, budget and financing rules, open and public meetings, and authority to enforce rules and coordinate among states; provisions for amendments, withdrawal, and dispute resolution.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 11, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Occupational Licensing Boards