TRENTON, N.J. – The New Jersey Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee has advanced legislation that would allow the state to join an interstate compact making it easier for physician assistants to practice across state lines.
The committee voted on May 19 to approve Senate Bill No. 3560 with amendments, paving the way for New Jersey to enter the Interstate Physician Assistant Licensure Compact. The measure is designed to streamline licensing for physician assistants (PAs) who work in multiple states, expanding patient access to care while maintaining consistent professional standards.
Under the proposal, states participating in the compact must meet several criteria, including licensing physician assistants, conducting background checks, maintaining systems for sharing disciplinary and investigative information, and participating in a centralized data system managed by the Compact Commission. Member states would also be required to recognize a national certification exam, such as the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE), as part of the licensing process.
To qualify for compact privileges, PAs must hold a valid license in a participating state, be graduates of an accredited PA program, and maintain current national certification. They cannot have felony or misdemeanor convictions, nor any history of disciplinary restrictions or revoked controlled substance licenses.
Once admitted to the compact, licensees would be able to practice in other member states by obtaining a “compact privilege” rather than applying for a new license in each state, provided they meet local jurisprudence requirements.
As of May 2025, 16 states had enacted the compact, including Virginia, Ohio, Colorado, Minnesota, and Delaware.
The committee made technical and formatting amendments to the bill before advancing it.
A Senate committee voted to approve legislation allowing New Jersey to join an interstate licensure compact for physician assistants.