Virginia is the seventh state to enact legislation regarding the PA Licensure Compact. The process to operationalize the compact will take anywhere from 18 to 24 months. Once operationalized, eligible PAs can then complete a single application to receive a compact privilege (which is equivalent to a license) from each compact state in which they intend to practice.
Category: Legislative Update
VAPA’s 2024 Legislation (SB 133)
Effective July 1, 2024, PAs employed by hospitals and certain other institutions will be permitted to practice as part of a patient care team without a practice agreement as long as they have a delineation of privileges.
SB 133 (Senator Head).
VAPA 2022 Legislation Signed By Governor Youngkin
On April 7th, Governor Youngkin signed HB 145 in to law. The legislation permits a PA appointed as a medical examiner to practice without a practice agreement; allows a PA working in the field of orthopedics to use fluoroscopy, provided other requirements are met; and adds PA to the list of hospice personnel who may be part of a medically directed interdisciplinary team
The new language will take effect July 1, 2022. Please find the text of the new law here.
Executive Order 16
Governor Youngkin’s Executive Order 16 permits physician assistants licensed in Virginia with two or more years of clinical experience to practice in their area of knowledge and expertise and prescribe without a written or electronic practice agreement. It will expire on March 22nd unless amended or rescinded.
Executive Order 11
Governor Youngkin’s Executive Order 11 permits physician assistants licensed in Virginia with two or more years of clinical experience to practice in their area of knowledge and expertise and prescribe without a written or electronic practice agreement. It will expire on February 21st unless amended or rescinded.
AAPA HOD Title Change Information
As a result of Monday’s announcement from AAPA’s House of Delegates (HOD) about the PA title change, AAPA has updated the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the Title Change Investigation web page. This page will be regularly updated with new information as it becomes available.
Updated PA Regulations (3-16-21)
2021 Legislation – PA Scope of Practice
On March 18th, Governor Northam signed HB 2039 in to law. Among other things, the new and amended provisions clarify aspects of a practice agreement, and further define the relationship between a PA and the other members of the patient care team. A key provision is the removal of a patient care team physician’s vicarious liability for the action/inaction of the PA.
The new language will take effect July 1, 2021. Please find the text of the new law here.
2020 Legislation – Capacity Determinations
Effective July 1, 2020, PAs will be included on the list of mental health service providers who are permitted to make a determination that a patient is incapable of making informed decisions or lacks capacity. Please find the text of the new law here.
COVID-19 RESOURCES
*Telemedicine – Virginia PAs are permitted to practice telemedicine, but there are restrictions on teleprescribing. Please refer to 54.1-3303 of Virginia Code.
Websites:
Virginia Governor Ralph Northam – Executive Actions
Virginia.gov Coronavirus Website
Virginia Department of Health (VDH)
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)
World Health Organization (WHO)
Articles:
Internet Book of Critical Care – COVID-19
EB Medicine – COVID-19 Overview
Trackers:
