PA Compact Updates

What Is the PA Licensure Compact?

The PA Licensure Compact is an interstate agreement that allows physician assistants (PAs) to obtain a multistate “compact privilege” to practice in participating states without needing to apply for separate licenses in each one. The Compact supports greater mobility, streamlined licensing, and access to care—especially for military spouses, telemedicine providers, and PAs practicing near state borders.

This does not change or override individual state practice laws. PAs must still follow the rules and scope-of-practice laws in each state where they practice.

18 States Have Enacted the PA Compact (as of June 2025)

1. Arkansas

2. Colorado

3. Delaware

4. Iowa

5. Kansas

6. Maine

7. Minnesota

8. Montana

9. Nebraska

10. Ohio

11. Oklahoma

12. Tennessee

13. Utah

14. Virginia

15. Washington

16. West Virginia

17. Wisconsin

18. Connecticut (joined June 27, 2025)

The Compact became active after the 7th state passed legislation in 2024. The Compact Commission is now responsible for creating the infrastructure to verify credentials, process applications, and manage compact privileges. Full application functionality is expected in early 2026.

Who’s Eligible for a Compact Privilege?

To qualify, a PA must meet all of the following:

• Hold an active, unencumbered PA license in a Compact member state

• Graduate from an ARC-PA accredited PA program

• Hold current certification from the NCCPA

• Have no felony convictions or significant disciplinary history

• Have no encumbrances on any license or DEA registration

• Provide a unique identifier (assigned by the Compact Commission)

• Pay required fees and complete jurisprudence requirements for each remote state

• Notify the Commission of any disciplinary actions in non-Compact states

How to Apply

The Compact application system is not yet open, but here’s what to expect when it is:

1. Apply through the Compact Commission portal (expected in 2026)

2. Choose which Compact states you want to practice in

3. Submit your verification documents

4. Pay any state-specific fees

5. Complete state-required exams or attestations, if applicable

6. Receive a Compact Privilege that allows practice in those states

Connecticut Joins as 18th State

As of June 27, 2025, Connecticut became the 18th state to enact the PA Licensure Compact, signaling growing national momentum. Connecticut’s addition supports interstate practice in the Northeast and opens up opportunities for PAs practicing in cross-border regions or delivering virtual care.

What’s Next?

• The Compact Commission continues developing the technology and legal framework for credentialing

• States that have passed legislation will finalize implementation rules

• More states are likely to introduce or reintroduce Compact legislation in 2025–2026

• Compact privileges will likely begin to be issued in early 2026

Sources

• American Academy of PAs (AAPA) – Connecticut Becomes 18th State to Join PA Licensure Compact

• PA Compact Official Site – PA Licensure Compact Overview

• AAPA Advocacy Central – What You Should Know About the Compact