New licensing agreement removes administrative barriers for PAs seeking to work in multiple states.
By Patricia Nguyen | The Commonwealth Wire
Virginia has joined the Physician Assistant Licensure Compact, becoming one of 24 states to adopt an interstate agreement that allows certified physician assistants to practice across state lines without obtaining separate licenses in each state.
The compact, which Virginia’s General Assembly approved during its most recent session, is designed to address healthcare workforce shortages by reducing administrative barriers that previously limited where physician assistants could work. Under the new system, PAs licensed in their home state can obtain expedited licenses to practice in other compact states.
“This is about expanding access to healthcare for Virginians, particularly in underserved areas,” said Dr. Sarah Mitchell, president of the Virginia Academy of Physician Assistants, based in Richmond. “When we remove bureaucratic hurdles, we can get qualified healthcare providers to where they’re needed most.”
The timing proves significant for Virginia’s healthcare landscape. Rural areas across Southwest Virginia, the Northern Neck, and Southside have faced persistent physician shortages. The compact could help fill gaps in communities like Wise County, where the ratio of healthcare providers to patients falls well below state averages.
Alabama and Maine also recently joined the compact, bringing the total participating states to 24. The agreement requires participating states to maintain uniform licensing standards while allowing PAs to move more freely between states for temporary assignments, disaster relief, or permanent relocations.
For Virginia-based healthcare systems like VCU Health in Richmond, Sentara in Norfolk, and Carilion Clinic in Roanoke, the compact offers new flexibility in staffing. Systems can now more easily deploy PAs to temporary assignments or bring in specialists from other compact states during staffing shortages.
The Virginia Board of Medicine will oversee implementation of the compact within the commonwealth. PAs seeking to practice under the compact must maintain active licenses in their home states and meet continuing education requirements.
“We’re seeing increased demand for physician assistant services across all specialties,” said Dr. James Rodriguez, a family medicine physician in Virginia Beach who works with several PAs. “This compact helps ensure we can meet that demand while maintaining high standards of care.”
The compact includes safeguards for patient safety. Each participating state retains authority to investigate complaints and take disciplinary action against PAs practicing within their borders, regardless of where the PA holds their primary license.
Virginia’s participation becomes effective immediately, though individual PAs must still apply for compact privileges through their state licensing boards. The Virginia Academy of Physician Assistants estimates the change could affect approximately 3,200 licensed PAs currently practicing throughout the commonwealth.
Other compact states include Texas, Florida, Colorado, and North Carolina. The agreement does not affect nurse practitioners or other healthcare professionals, who operate under separate licensing frameworks.
Key Facts
- Virginia joins 24 states in the PA Licensure Compact, allowing physician assistants to practice across state lines
- The compact aims to address healthcare workforce shortages in rural Virginia areas like Southwest Virginia and the Northern Neck
- Approximately 3,200 licensed physician assistants currently practice throughout Virginia
- Alabama and Maine also recently joined the compact alongside Virginia
- Each state retains authority to investigate complaints and discipline PAs practicing within their borders
