The PA Licensure Compact: Identification of Significant Factors to Enacting Legislation

Virginia C. Hughes^{1, 2,}

¹Department of Medical and Molecular Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, USA

²Department Name, Organization Name, City, Country

Cite this paper:
Virginia C. Hughes. The PA Licensure Compact: Identification of Significant Factors to Enacting Legislation. American Journal of Medical Sciences and Medicine. 2025; 13(3):29-33. doi: 10.12691/ajmsm-13-3-1

Abstract

The PA Licensure Compact (PALC) is an optional agreement between states that aims to increase healthcare services for patients by allowing PA’s with a license in a compact member state to practice in any other member state. Currently nineteen states have enacted the PALC. A study was conducted assessing factors that impact a states decision to join the PALC. State population density, number of PA programs, number of medical schools, rural population, rural land area, rural population density, number of PA’s in each state, percentage of PA’s in each state, PA’s that participate in telemedicine, and number of physicians in each state with stratification into neonatal, cardiovascular, critical care, endocrinology, oncology, gastroenterology, and emergency medicine were analyzed in a logistic regression design. The number of PA Programs and PA’s in each state, number of physicians practicing in the US, and specialties cardiovascular, gastroenterology, and emergency medicine were found to be statistically significant (P<.05). This study adds to the body of knowledge regarding the PALC and future outcomes as more states pass legislation to join the compact expanding access to healthcare.

Keywords:
logistic regression telemedicine physician assistant

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

References:

[1]	Ogunfiditimi, F. The PA Licensure Compact: a commonsense step. JAAPA 2024; 37(3):16.
[2]	https://www.pacompact.org/about-pa-licensure-compact/.
[3]	https://www.arc-pa.org.
[4]	Gettel CJ, Courtney DM, Agrawl P, et al. Emergency medicine physician workforce attrition differences by age and gender. Acad Emerg Med 2023; 30(11):1092-1100.
[5]	https://medicushcs.com/resources/an-inside-look-at-the-cardiology -workforce-shortages-demand-and-strategic-responses.
[6]	Evans S. The Nurse Licensure Compact. A historical perspective. J Nurs Regul 2015; 6(3):11-16.
[7]	Federation of State Medical Boards. Report of the Special Committee on License Portability 2002 https:// www.fsmb.org/ siteasets/advocacy/policies/grpol-license-portability.pdf.
[8]	Adrian L. The Physical Therapy Compact: from development to implementation. Int J Telerehabilitation. 2017; 9(2):59-62.
[9]	Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact. History-Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT). https://psypact.site-ym.com.
[10]	Interstate Commission for EMS Personnel Practice. Compact History.2023 https://www.emscompact.gov/the-compct/compact-history.
[11]	American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact (ASLP-IC): Partners and updates.2022 https:// www.asha.org/ advocacy/ state/audiology-and-speech-language-pathology-interstate-compact-partners-and-upates/.
[12]	Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact. National Center for Interstate Compacts. The Council of State Governments. https://ddhcompact.org/2023/03/15/dentist-and-dental-hygienist-compact-finalized/.
[13]	Occupational therapy Licensure Compact. OT Compact legislation finalized 2020. https://otcompact.gov/legislation.
[14]	National Center for Interstate Compacts, The Council of State Governments. Social Worker Licensure Compact.2022 https:// naswcanews.org/ wp-content/ uploads/ 2022/06/CSG-Social-Worker- Licensure- Compact-Update_June-2022/pdf.
[15]	Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Academy to explore RDN licensure compact 2022. https://www.eatrightpro.org/neews-center/public-policy-news/academy-to-explore-rdn-licensure-compact.
[16]	Bogulski CA, Allison K, Hayes CJ et al. Trends in US State and Territory Participation in Interstate Healthcare Licensure Compacts (2015-2024). J Med Reg 2025; 111(1): 8-25.
[17]	Shaver J. The State of Telehealth Before and After the COVID-19 Pandemic. Prim Care 2022; 49(4): 517-530.
[18]	https://www.abc27.com/ business/ press-releases/ cision/ 20240509NE0975...-pas-say-the-pa-licensure-compact-is-taking-t00-long-to-implement.