The adoption of the compact marks a critical development in healthcare regulation, aiming to enhance the efficiency of healthcare delivery while addressing the growing demand for physician assistants across the country. By reducing administrative barriers to licensure, the compact is expected to streamline how PAs can move between states to fill staffing shortages, respond to surges in patient demand, and improve access to care in underserved regions.

Activation and Implementation

With the compact officially adopted by thirteen states, the activation threshold has now been reached. According to the PA Licensure Compact, this threshold triggers the formation of the PA Compact Commission, which will be responsible for overseeing the implementation of the compact and ensuring it operates smoothly across the participating states.

The commission will convene this month to begin the process of operationalizing the compact, which could take up to two years to fully implement. This timeline includes three critical steps:

1. Formation of the Compact Commission

2. Creation of the Compact Data System

3. Opening of Privilege Applications

PA Demand

Physician assistants are playing an increasingly vital role in providing accessible, high-quality care, especially in Urgent Care and rural health settings. The compact is expected to help healthcare providers address staffing shortages, surges in patient demand, and geographic disparities in access to care.

For healthcare employers, the compact means increased flexibility in hiring PAs from other states, which can help fill gaps more quickly during periods of heightened need. For PAs, the compact represents an opportunity to expand their career mobility, allowing them to practice in multiple states without the regulatory burden of obtaining a new license for each state.