PA Compact Newsletter
Published August 28, 2026.Chair Corner
It sometimes feels like I am a broken record, but the PA Compact just keeps growing. Two more jurisdictions have joined since the last newsletter, and we are up to 29 members. This number should stay steady for a while as the majority of legislative sessions have wrapped up for the year.
PA Compact Commission committees and their members have remained busy, and we look forward to sharing that work at the Full Commission meeting on September 18. The work of those committees keeps the PA Compact moving forward and preparing it for when the data system is created.
Though the start of data system development has been delayed, the PA Compact staff and Executive Committee have worked closely with both the Commission’s funding partners and the vendor, and we hope to start work on the database by the end of August. If that happens, the PA Compact plans to have a viable database in early 2027, which is in line with our previous projections.
Similar to other compact data system projects, the initial database project is just the start. There will need to be future contracts with vendors to maintain and improve the database and onboard states. This will also require time and funds and, until states are onboarded and the system is being used regularly, the PA Compact remains dependent on the support of outside entities. The Commission appreciates this support as it prevents assessing a fee on Member States. If you are aware of funding opportunities that may help us reach that goal more quickly, please contact us at pacompact@csg.org.
As we continue to move forward, I would like to take a moment to look back and thank one of the original commission members, Larry Marx, from the state of Utah. Larry was present at the original PA Compact Commission meeting and was elected to serve as Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Committee. Larry has provided two annual budgets and worked to ensure that the funds currently available to the PA Compact are used wisely. In addition, Larry set the groundwork for the process of determining what administrative fees are charged to PAs. This is a complicated process, with many variables, and Larry has proceeded with thoughtful deliberation and concern for both the PA Compact and the PAs who will use the PA Compact.
Larry is beginning a new chapter, and I want to offer him my personal thanks as well as the appreciation and good wishes from the PA Compact Executive Committee. Thank you for all your contributions. We wish you well.
– Tim Terranova, Compact Commission Chair
Legislative Update
As of August 28, 2026, there are 29 Compact Member States. Legislation to enact the Compact is currently filed in 2 states—Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. No states are actively issuing privileges yet. Click here to view a map of legislation in each state.
|
State |
Act/Bill number |
Enactment date1 |
Effective date2 |
|
Utah |
14-Mar-2023 |
3-May-2023 |
|
|
Delaware |
21-Jul-2023 |
21-Jul-2023 |
|
|
Wisconsin |
7-Dec-2023 |
8-Dec-2023 |
|
|
Minnesota |
24-May-2024 |
25-May-2024 |
|
|
Washington |
13-Mar-2024 |
6-Jun-2024 |
|
|
West Virginia |
9-Mar-2024 |
6-Jun-2024 |
|
|
Virginia |
4-Apr-2024 |
1-Jul-2024 |
|
|
Maine |
23-Apr-2024 |
16-Jul-2024 |
|
|
Colorado |
17-May-2024 |
7-Aug-2024 |
|
|
Post-Inaugural Meeting |
|||
|
Ohio |
24-Jul-2024 |
24-Oct-2024 |
|
|
Oklahoma |
18-Apr-2024 |
1-Nov-2024 |
|
|
Nebraska |
2-Apr-2024 |
1-Jan-2025 |
|
|
Tennessee |
28-May-2024 |
1-Jan-2025 |
|
|
Kansas |
8-Apr-2025 |
1-Jul-2025 |
|
|
Montana |
3-Apr-2025 |
1-Jul-2025 |
|
|
Iowa |
27-May-2025 |
1-Jul-2025 |
|
|
Connecticut |
30-Jun-2025 |
1-Jul-2025 |
|
|
Arkansas |
18-Mar-2025 |
1-Oct-2025 |
|
|
North Carolina |
1-Jul-2025 |
1-Apr-2026 |
|
|
New Jersey |
9-Jan-2026 |
9-Jan-2026 |
|
|
North Dakota |
23-Jan-2026 |
23-Jan-2026 |
|
|
Arizona |
20-Feb-2026 |
24-Jul-2026 |
|
|
South Dakota |
9-Mar-2026 |
1-Jul-2026 |
|
|
Alabama |
20-Apr-2026 |
1-Oct-2026 |
|
|
Rhode Island |
12-Jun-2026 |
1-Jul-2026 |
|
|
Alaska |
22-Jun-2026 |
20-Sept-2026 |
|
|
Missouri |
13-Jul-2026 |
28-Aug-2026 |
|
|
New Hampshire |
15-Jul-2026 |
13-Sep-2026 |
|
|
Michigan |
21-Jul-2026 |
20-Oct-2026 |
|
- The enactment date refers to when a state's compact legislation was signed into law.
- The effective date refers to when a state’s compact legislation becomes effective. This is also when a participating state may begin exercising their voting power as a member of the Commission.
Meeting Synopsis
Full Commission
The Full Commission will meet on Friday, September 18, 2026, at 11 a.m. ET to review and approve the following items: FY27 budget, draft Rule 5 – Joint Investigations, draft Rule 7 – State Compliance, and draft bylaw amendments.
Executive Committe
The PA Compact Executive Committee met August 12, 2026, to conduct an additional review of the draft budget for FY27 prior to transmitting the budget to the Full Commission for adoption. The committee also reviewed the draft agenda for the September meeting of the Full Commission. After reviewing draft Rule 8 – Records Exempt from Disclosure and Rule 2 – Definitions, the committee voted to move both rules to public comment.
The Executive Committee convened on July 8, 2026, and reviewed the draft budget for FY27. The committee elected to revisit the budget during its August meeting to allow additional time for discussion.
The Executive Committee met June 10, 2026, and moved bylaw amendments drafted by the Rules Committee to public comment. The committee also approved a memo on subpoena authority and the joint investigations process under the PA Compact for publication on the PA Compact website. Jennifer Kolb joined the committee as the interim ex-officio for the American Academy of Physician Associates.
Communications Committee
The PA Compact Commission Communications Committee convened August 20, 2026, to draft and approve the September quarterly newsletter. The committee also drafted Frequently Asked Questions on the compact privilege process.
Finance Committee
The PA Compact Finance Committee reconvened June 9, 2026, and completed its third quarterly budget review, along with discussing data on potential commission fees, compact participation rates, and budget projections to determine the Commission’s privilege fee.
The Finance Committee convened on March 10, 2026, to conduct a quarterly budget review. The committee also began the process of determining the Commission’s compact privilege fee, which included reviewing data on the number of PAs licensed in the U.S., the prevalence of multiple license holders within the profession, and commission fees set by other occupational licensure commissions.
Rules Committee
The PA Compact Commission Rules Committee met on August 10, 2026, and reviewed the following draft policies: Policy 1 – Policy on Policies, Policy 2 – Code of Conduct, Policy 3 – Virtual Meetings, and Policy 4 – Policy on Public Communications. The committee approved all policies for transmission to the Executive Committee for review and adoption.
The Rules Committee met on July 20, 2026, and reviewed public comments on draft Rules 5 and 7 received from the licensing boards in Alabama, North Dakota, and Maine. The committee made several non-substantive changes based on comments and committee member discussion, and both rules were approved for transmission to the Full
Commission. The committee transmitted draft bylaw amendments to the Full Commission after receiving no public comments. The committee then reviewed draft Rule 8 – Records Exempt from Disclosure and draft Rule 2 – Definitions and approved both rules for transmission to the Executive Committee. Due to time constraints, the committee tabled reviewing draft Policy 1 – Policy on Policies and draft Policy 2 – Code of Conduct until its August meeting.
State Readiness – Preparing for Compact Activation
In anticipation of compact activation, Member States must ensure compliance with all compact requirements. The PA Compact Commission’s State Preparation Guidelines cover administrative tasks Member States should consider prior to the launch of the Commission’s data system.
Implementation of an FBI Criminal Background Check for PA licensure and setting a state privilege fee are two tasks of particular importance to a state’s participation in the Compact that may require extended time to complete.
Criminal Background Check
The PA Compact requires that those who obtain privileges must have an FBI criminal background check (CBC), which state administrators must review when making a compact eligibility decision. Member States must fully implement an FBI Criminal Background Check requirement pursuant to the Compact, which may require legislative enactment. The results of a CBC can never be reported to the Commission. The qualifying state that is reviewing the FBI CBC alone determines compact eligibility of the PA.
Setting a State Privilege Fee
Prior to issuing privileges, Member States must determine their state privilege fee. Member States should consider setting a fee that, when added to the commission fee, does not exceed the current single state licensure fee.
Setting a privilege fee may require licensing boards to promulgate a rule or specify the fee in their state’s statute. Once the fee has been set, Member States should notify the Commission of the fee amount. Member States should also consider if military-affiliated practitioners will have a reduced fee.
Compact Development Timeline
– Updates since the last newsletter.|
Summer 2019 |
Compact project started. |
|
Fall 2019 |
FSMB convenes meeting with state regulatory boards to discuss outline of compact. |
|
November 2022 |
Compact legislation finalized and made available for state adoption. |
|
April 2024 |
The compact activation threshold of seven participating states is met. |
|
September 2024 |
Compact Commission holds its inaugural meeting. |
|
October 2024 |
Executive, Rules, Finance, and Communications Committees convene and begin developing compact infrastructure. |
|
April 2025 |
Data System RFI responses received and reviewed. |
|
May 2025 |
Executive Committee begins developing Data System RFP. |
|
October 20, 2025 |
Executive Committee releases Data System RFP. |
|
November 14, 2025 |
Deadline for questions from vendors on the Data System RFP. |
|
December 10, 2025 |
Executive Committee moves Draft Rules 3 and 4 to public comment period. |
|
December 16, 2025 |
Draft Rule 3 – Compact Privilege and Draft Rule 4 – Data System are posted for public comment. |
|
December 19, 2025 |
Submission deadline for data system proposals. |
|
January 14, 2026 |
Executive Committee review data system proposals and identify candidates for interviews. |
|
January 16, 2026 |
Public comment period closes on Draft Rules 3 and 4. |
|
February 9, 2026 |
Rules Committee reviews public comments on Draft Rules 3 and 4 and determines no substantive changes are necessary. |
|
February 11, 2026 |
Executive Committee interviews data system vendors. |
|
February 25, 2026 |
Executive Committee votes to accept data system proposal from Focus Consulting LLC. |
|
March 11, 2026 |
Executive Committee requests nominations from Member States for volunteers to serve on the Technology Subcommittee. |
|
April 6, 2026 |
Full Commission adopts Rule 3 – Compact Privilege and Rule 4 – Compact Data System, Confidentiality, and Information Sharing. |
|
April 8, 2026 |
Executive Committee reviews Draft Rule 6 - Fees and holds rule in committee pending data system development and commission privilege fee determination by Finance Committee. |
|
May 29, 2026 |
Draft Rule 5 – Joint Investigations and Draft Rule 7 – State Compliance are released for public comment. |
|
June 10, 2026 |
|
|
June 28, 2026 |
Public comment period closes on draft Rules 5 and 7. |
|
July 10, 2026 |
Public comment period closes on draft bylaw amendments. |
|
July 20, 2026 |
|
|
August 10, 2026 |
Rules Committee transmits the following policies to Executive Committee for approval:
|
|
August 12, 2026 |
|
|
Ongoing |
Commission and committee meetings; rule and policy development; onboarding of new Member States. |
|
Current – 2026 |
Development and implementation of Data System. |
|
Early 2027 (projected) |
Compact Commission begins granting compact privileges to practice. |
Q. Are PAs with misdemeanor or felony convictions eligible to utilize the compact?
- No. A PA who has a misdemeanor or felony conviction or pled guilty or no contest to a misdemeanor or felony charge is ineligible for participation. However, practitioners may contact the licensing authority for the state wherein they wish to practice for alternate pathways to licensure, such as a single-state license.
Questions?
See the PA Compact FAQs, or email pacompact@csg.org.
Download Newsletters