South DakotaSouth Dakota adopts compact rules for physician assistants practicing across states
South Dakota has enacted a compact that would let eligible physician assistants practice in other states that join, once seven states enact it.
What it does
Eligible physician assistants could use a shared practice privilege to serve patients in states that join the compact, after meeting compact requirements and each state’s rules.
A national commission would oversee compact rules and a shared system for licenses, denials, discipline, and certain investigation information.
Argument forEligible PAs may be able to serve patients across state lines without getting a separate license in each participating state, which could widen access to care.
Argument againstPAs who do not meet the eligibility rules, or whose licenses face restrictions, may be unable to use the compact to practice in another state.
More detail
Participating states grant eligible PAs a privilege to practice across state lines. The privilege applies in another state that has joined the compact and lets the PA serve patients there under that state’s laws. A PA must meet education, certification, license, and other compact requirements, notify the Commission, and meet the remote state’s legal knowledge and fee requirements. The compact takes effect when a seventh state enacts it.
Participating states share licensing and discipline information through a national system overseen by a commission. The reporting duties cover physician assistants and license applicants in participating states. States must report license denials, disciplinary actions, and certain investigation information. Only participating states may access significant investigation information. The commission comes into existence on or after the compact takes effect.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 9Signed by the Governor Larry Rhoden on 2026-03-09 H.J. 534Became Law
- Mar 3Delivered to the Governor on 2026-03-03 H.J. 480To Governor
- Mar 2Signed by the President S.J. 434Passed Senate
- Feb 26Signed by the Speaker H.J. 462Passed House
- Feb 25Senate Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 32, NAYS 1 S.J. 402
- Vote recorded Do Pass Amended. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 24Senate Deferred to another day , Passed, S.J. 373
- Feb 23Certified uncontested, placed on consent , Passed, S.J. 20
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 23Health and Human Services Do Pass , Passed, YEAS 7, NAYS 0 S.J. 20Minor
- Feb 23Scheduled for hearing
- Feb 18First read in Senate and referred to Senate Health and Human Services S.J. 296Minor
- Feb 17House of Representatives Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 56, NAYS 10 H.J. 334
- Vote recorded Do Pass Amended. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 12House of Representatives Deferred to another day , Passed, H.J. 315
- Feb 10Health and Human Services Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 11, NAYS 1
- Vote recorded Do Pass Amended. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 10Health and Human Services Motion to amend , Passed, Amendment 1146AMajor
- Jan 27First read in House and referred to House Health and Human Services H.J. 148Introduced
Healthcare