PA Licensure Compact

The PA Licensure Compact lets physician assistants (PAs) work across member states under one compact privilege, rather than applying for a full license in each state. The compact reached the seven-state threshold needed for implementation and is now in active rollout — member states are progressively standing up privilege-issuance portals.

Who can apply

The PA Compact is open to PAs holding the PA or PA-C credential with an active, unencumbered license in a member state. Applicants must hold current NCCPA certification, have completed an ARC-PA accredited PA program, have no current disciplinary action or license restriction, and have no disqualifying criminal history.

The privilege is tied to the home state of legal residence. PAs with primary residency outside a member state cannot use the compact.

Member states

The PA Compact has been enacted in 24 jurisdictions as of 2026-06, but no state is currently issuing privileges. State onboarding is targeted for January 2027.

Members: Colorado, Delaware, Maine, Michigan, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming.

last_verified: 2026-05 · sourced from data/compacts.json

How to apply

Applications will go through the PA Compact Commission's portal as each member state stands up its issuance process. You verify your home state PA license, confirm NCCPA certification, complete a background check, and request privileges in the member states where you want practice rights.

Apply via the PA Compact →

Fees and processing time

The compact privilege fee varies by state and is set during operational rollout. Processing time depends on home-state implementation status. Confirm current fees and timing directly with the PA Compact. last_verified: 2026-05.

How TeleVerify uses the PA Compact

When your NPI lookup returns a PA or PA-C credential, TeleVerify auto-detects PA Compact eligibility and asks you to confirm your home state and which member-state privileges you've activated. Once confirmed, sessions where the patient is in a privileged member state are tagged compliant_compact. Because the compact is in active rollout, we recommend quarterly profile updates to add newly available states. PAs in non-member states continue to need individual state licenses for cross-state practice.

Frequently asked questions

Does the PA Compact include prescriptive authority?
Prescriptive authority follows the underlying state's PA scope-of-practice law. The compact does not expand or restrict prescriptive authority — it only extends geographic practice rights.
How is the PA Compact different from the IMLC?
The IMLC covers physicians (MD, DO) only. The PA Compact covers physician assistants (PA, PA-C) only. They are independent compacts with different member-state lists, fees, and eligibility rules.
When will my state start issuing PA Compact privileges?
Implementation timing varies by member state. Some states have launched issuance portals; others are still in the regulatory setup phase. Check pacompact.org for the latest per-state status.
What if I move my home state of residence to a non-member state?
Your compact privileges end the day your primary residence changes. You must obtain individual state PA licenses for any cross-state practice.
How does TeleVerify know I have compact privileges?
You confirm in your provider profile which member states you've activated privileges in. We attest the list at signup and on every profile update.
Does NCCPA certification need to stay current?
Yes. The PA Compact requires continuous NCCPA certification as a condition of the privilege. Lapsed certification ends the compact privilege.
Does the PA Compact override state-specific PA practice rules (e.g., physician supervision)?
No. The compact extends geographic reach but does not change each state's scope-of-practice rules. A PA practicing under a Virginia privilege still operates under Virginia's PA supervision requirements.
⚖️ Reference information — not legal advice. Always confirm current requirements with your compliance officer, state licensing board, or a telehealth attorney before relying on this for clinical or business decisions.

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