SB515,19,1111 Physician assistants
SB515,19,12 12461.01 Definitions. In this chapter, unless the context requires otherwise:
SB515,19,13 13(1) “Board" means the physician assistant examining board.
SB515,19,16 14(2) “Disease” means any pain, injury, deformity, or physical or mental illness
15or departure from complete health or the proper condition of the human body or any
16of its parts.
SB515,19,17 17(3) “Physician assistant” means a person licensed under this chapter.
SB515,19,18 18(4) “Podiatrist” has the meaning given in s. 448.60 (3).
SB515,19,19 19(5) “Podiatry” has the meaning given in s. 448.60 (4).
SB515,19,20 20(6) “Practice of medicine and surgery” has the meaning given in s. 448.01 (9).
SB515,20,3 21461.03 License required; exceptions. (1) Except as provided in subs. (2)
22and (3), no person may represent himself or herself as a “PA,” “ physician assistant,"
23“physician associate,” or “associate physician,” use or assume the title “PA,”
24“physician assistant," “physician associate,” or “associate physician,” or append to
25the person's name the words or letters “physician assistant," “physician associate,”

1“associate physician,” “PA," “PA-C,” or any other titles, letters, or designation that
2represents or may tend to represent the person as a physician assistant, unless he
3or she is licensed by the board under this chapter.
SB515,20,4 4(2) Subsection (1) does not apply with respect to any of the following:
SB515,20,85 (a) An individual employed and duly credentialed as a physician assistant or
6physician associate by the federal government while performing duties incident to
7that employment, unless a license under this chapter is required by the federal
8government.
SB515,20,129 (b) A person who satisfies the requirement under s. 461.07 (1) (a) 3. but who
10is not licensed under this chapter. This paragraph does not allow such a person to
11practice medicine and surgery in violation of s. 448.03 (1) (a) or to practice podiatry
12in violation of s. 448.61.
SB515,20,14 13(3) A student who is enrolled in an accredited physician assistant educational
14program may use the title “physician assistant student,” “PA student,” or “PA-S.”
SB515,20,15 15461.035 Expedited partner therapy. (1) In this section:
SB515,20,1616 (b) “Antimicrobial drug" has the meaning given in s. 448.035 (1) (b).
SB515,20,1717 (c) “Expedited partner therapy" has the meaning given in s. 448.035 (1) (c).
SB515,21,3 18(2) Notwithstanding the requirements of s. 461.40, a physician assistant may
19provide expedited partner therapy if a patient is diagnosed as infected with a
20chlamydial infection, gonorrhea, or trichomoniasis and the patient has had sexual
21contact with a sexual partner during which the chlamydial infection, gonorrhea, or
22trichomoniasis may have been transmitted to or from the sexual partner. The
23physician assistant shall attempt to obtain the name of the patient's sexual partner.
24A prescription order for an antimicrobial drug prepared under this subsection shall
25include the name and address of the patient's sexual partner, if known. If the

1physician assistant is unable to obtain the name of the patient's sexual partner, the
2prescription order shall include, in ordinary, bold-faced capital letters, the words,
3“expedited partner therapy" or the letters “EPT."
SB515,21,7 4(3) The physician assistant shall provide the patient with a copy of the
5information sheet prepared by the department of health services under s. 46.03 (44)
6and shall request that the patient give the information sheet to the person with
7whom the patient had sexual contact.
SB515,21,11 8(4) (a) Except as provided in par. (b), a physician assistant is immune from civil
9liability for injury to or the death of a person who takes any antimicrobial drug if the
10antimicrobial drug is prescribed, dispensed, or furnished under this section and if
11expedited partner therapy is provided as specified under this section.
SB515,21,1412 (b) The immunity under par. (a) does not extend to the donation, distribution,
13furnishing, or dispensing of an antimicrobial drug by a physician assistant whose act
14or omission involves reckless, wanton, or intentional misconduct.
SB515,21,16 15461.037 Prescriptions for and delivery of opioid antagonists. (1) In this
16section:
SB515,21,1717 (a) “Administer" has the meaning given in s. 450.01 (1).
SB515,21,1818 (b) “Deliver" has the meaning given in s. 450.01 (5).
SB515,21,1919 (c) “Dispense" has the meaning given in s. 450.01 (7).
SB515,21,2020 (d) “Opioid antagonist" has the meaning given in s. 450.01 (13v).
SB515,21,2121 (e) “Opioid-related drug overdose" has the meaning given in s. 256.40 (1) (d).
SB515,21,2222 (f) “Standing order" has the meaning given in s. 450.01 (21p).
SB515,21,23 23(2) (a) A physician assistant may do any of the following:
SB515,22,424 1. Prescribe an opioid antagonist to a person in a position to assist an individual
25at risk of undergoing an opioid-related drug overdose and may deliver the opioid

1antagonist to that person. A prescription order under this subdivision need not
2specify the name and address of the individual to whom the opioid antagonist will
3be administered, but shall instead specify the name of the person to whom the opioid
4antagonist is prescribed.
SB515,22,65 2. Issue a standing order to one or more persons authorizing the dispensing of
6an opioid antagonist.
SB515,22,137 (b) A physician assistant who prescribes or delivers an opioid antagonist under
8par. (a) 1. shall ensure that the person to whom the opioid antagonist is prescribed
9has or has the capacity to provide the knowledge and training necessary to safely
10administer the opioid antagonist to an individual undergoing an opioid-related
11overdose and that the person demonstrates the capacity to ensure that any
12individual to whom the person further delivers the opioid antagonist has or receives
13that knowledge and training.
SB515,22,19 14(3) A physician assistant who, acting in good faith, prescribes or delivers an
15opioid antagonist in accordance with sub. (2) or who, acting in good faith, otherwise
16lawfully prescribes or dispenses an opioid antagonist shall be immune from criminal
17or civil liability and may not be subject to professional discipline under s. 461.30 for
18any outcomes resulting from prescribing, delivering, or dispensing the opioid
19antagonist.
SB515,22,21 20461.05 Powers and duties of board. (1) (a) The board shall promulgate
21rules implementing s. 461.40.
SB515,22,2322 (b) The board shall promulgate rules establishing continuing education
23requirements for physician assistants.
SB515,22,2524 (c) The board may promulgate other rules to carry out the purposes of this
25chapter, including any of the following:
SB515,23,2
11. Rules defining what constitutes unprofessional conduct for physician
2assistants for purposes of s. 461.30 (2) (d).
SB515,23,33 2. Rules under s. 461.12 (2).
SB515,23,7 4(2) The board shall include in the register the board maintains under s. 440.035
5(1m) (d) the names of all persons whose licenses issued under this chapter were
6suspended or revoked within the past 2 years. The register shall be available for
7purchase at cost.
SB515,23,11 8461.07 License; renewal. (1) (a) Except as provided in par. (b), the board
9shall grant an initial license to practice as a physician assistant to any applicant who
10is found qualified by three-fourths of the members of the board and satisfies all of
11the following requirements, as determined by the board:
SB515,23,1412 1. The applicant submits an application on a form provided by the department
13and pays the initial credential fee determined by the department under s. 440.03 (9)
14(a).
SB515,23,1515 2. The applicant is at least 18 years of age.
SB515,23,1616 3. The applicant provides evidence of one of the following:
SB515,23,2117 a. That the applicant has successfully completed an educational program for
18physician assistants or physician associates that is accredited by the Accreditation
19Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant or its successor or,
20prior to 2001, by the Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation or the
21Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.
SB515,23,2522 b. If the applicant does not satisfy subd. 3. a., that the applicant, prior to
23January 1, 1986, successfully passed the Physician Assistant National Certifying
24Examination administered by the National Commission on Certification of
25Physician Assistants.
SB515,24,2
14. The applicant passes the National Commission on Certification of Physician
2Assistants examination or an equivalent national examination adopted by the board.
SB515,24,43 5. The applicant provides a listing with all employers, practice settings,
4internships, residencies, fellowships, and other employment for the past 7 years.
SB515,24,65 6. Subject to ss. 111.321, 111.322, and 111.335, the applicant does not have an
6arrest or conviction record.
SB515,24,137 (b) Paragraph (a) 3. does not apply to an applicant if the applicant provides
8evidence that he or she is licensed as a physician assistant or physician associate in
9another state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin
10Islands, or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United
11States and the board determines that the requirements for obtaining the license in
12that state or territory are substantially equivalent to the requirements under par.
13(a).
SB515,24,16 14(2) (a) The renewal date for a license issued under this chapter is specified
15under s. 440.08 (2) (a), and the renewal fees for such licenses are determined by the
16department under s. 440.03 (9) (a). Renewal of a license is subject to par. (b).
SB515,24,2117 (b) An applicant for the renewal of a license under this chapter shall submit
18with his or her application for renewal proof of having satisfied the continuing
19education requirements imposed by the board under s. 461.05 (1) (b). This paragraph
20does not apply to an applicant for renewal of a license that expires on the first
21renewal date after the date on which the board initially granted the license.
SB515,24,25 22(3) Notwithstanding sub. (1), an individual who, on the effective date of this
23subsection .... [LRB inserts date], was licensed by the medical examining board as
24a physician assistant under subch. II of ch. 448, 2017 stats., shall be considered to
25have been licensed under sub. (1) for purposes of this chapter.
SB515,25,4
1461.10 Practice and employment. (1) (a) Subject to the limitations and
2requirements under sub. (2); the physician assistant's experience, education, and
3training; and any rules promulgated under sub. (5), a physician assistant may do any
4of the following:
SB515,25,65 1. Examine into the fact, condition, or cause of human health or disease, or
6treat, operate, prescribe, or advise for the same, by any means or instrumentality.
SB515,25,87 2. Apply principles or techniques of medical sciences in the diagnosis or
8prevention of any of the conditions described in subd. 1. and in s. 461.01 (2).
SB515,25,99 3. Penetrate, pierce, or sever the tissues of a human being.
SB515,25,1110 4. Offer, undertake, attempt, or hold oneself out in any manner as able to do
11any of the acts described in this paragraph.
SB515,25,1512 (b) Subject to any rules promulgated by the board and consistent with his or
13her experience, education, and training, a physician assistant may order, prescribe,
14procure, dispense, and administer prescription drugs, medical devices, services, and
15supplies.
SB515,25,1916 (c) A physician assistant may practice in ambulatory care, acute care,
17long-term care, home care, or other settings as a primary, specialty, or surgical care
18provider who may serve as a patient's primary care provider or specialty care
19provider.
SB515,25,22 20(2) (a) 1. Except as provided in subd. 3. and sub. (5) (a) or (b), a physician
21assistant who provides care to patients shall maintain and provide to the board upon
22request one of the following:
SB515,26,423 a. Evidence that, pursuant to the physician assistant's employment, there is
24a physician who is primarily responsible for the overall direction and management
25of the physician assistant's professional activities and for assuring that the services

1provided by the physician assistant are medically appropriate. In this subd. 1. a.,
2“employment” includes an arrangement between the physician assistant and a 3rd
3party in which the 3rd party receives payment for services provided by the physician
4assistant.
SB515,26,75 b. A written collaborative agreement with a physician that describes the
6physician assistant's individual scope of practice and that includes other information
7as required by the board.
SB515,26,118 c. If the physician assistant's practice is limited to the practice of podiatry, a
9written collaborative agreement with a podiatrist or physician that describes the
10physician assistant's individual scope of podiatry practice and that includes other
11information as required by the board.
SB515,26,1312 2. Subdivision 1. does not require the physical presence of a physician or
13podiatrist at the time and place a physician assistant renders a service.
SB515,26,1614 3. Subdivision 1. does not apply with respect to a physician assistant who is
15employed by the federal government as a civilian or member of the uniformed
16services while performing duties incident to that employment or service.
SB515,26,1817 (b) A physician assistant shall limit his or her practice to the scope of his or her
18experience, education, and training.
SB515,26,2019 (c) No physician assistant may provide medical care, except routine screening
20and emergency care, in any of the following:
SB515,26,2121 1. The practice of dentistry or dental hygiene within the meaning of ch. 447.
SB515,26,2222 2. The practice of optometry within the meaning of ch. 449.
SB515,26,2323 3. The practice of chiropractic within the meaning of ch. 446.
SB515,26,2424 4. The practice of acupuncture within the meaning of ch. 451.
SB515,27,2
1(3) (a) It shall be the obligation of a physician assistant to ensure all of the
2following:
SB515,27,43 1. That the scope of the practice of a physician assistant is identified and is
4appropriate with respect to his or her experience, education, and training.
SB515,27,65 2. For purposes of sub. (2) (a) 1. b. and c., that the relationship with and access
6to a collaborating physician or podiatrist by the physician assistant is defined.
SB515,27,87 3. That the requirements and standards of licensure under this chapter are
8complied with.
SB515,27,139 4. That consultation with and referral to other licensed health care providers
10with a scope of practice appropriate for a patient's care needs occurs when the
11patient's care needs exceed the physician assistant's experience, education, or
12training. A physician assistant shall ensure that he or she has awareness of options
13for the management of situations that are beyond the physician assistant's expertise.
SB515,27,1514 (b) A physician assistant is individually and independently responsible for the
15quality of the care he or she renders.
SB515,27,20 16(4) A physician assistant may delegate a care task or order to another clinically
17trained health care worker if the physician assistant is competent to perform the
18delegated task or order and has reasonable evidence that the clinically trained
19health care worker is minimally competent to perform the task or issue the order
20under the circumstances.
SB515,27,22 21(5) The board shall promulgate any rules necessary to implement this section,
22including rules to do any of the following:
SB515,27,2523 (a) Allow for temporary practice, specifically defined and actively monitored by
24the board, in the event of an interruption of a collaborative relationship under sub.
25(2) (a) 1. b. or c.
SB515,28,4
1(b) Allow a physician assistant, in the absence of an employment or
2collaborative relationship under sub. (2) (a) 1., to provide medical care at the scene
3of an emergency, during a declared state of emergency or other disaster, or when
4volunteering at sporting events or at camps.
SB515,28,10 5(6) The practice permissions provided in this section are permissions granted
6by the state authorizing the licensed practice of physician assistants. Nothing in this
7section prohibits an employer, hospital, health plan, or other similar entity
8employing or with a relationship with a licensed physician assistant from
9establishing additional requirements for a licensed physician assistant as a
10condition of employment or relationship.
SB515,28,12 11461.11 Civil liability. No physician assistant shall be liable for any civil
12damages for either of the following:
SB515,28,16 13(1) Reporting in good faith to the department of transportation under s. 146.82
14(3) a patient's name and other information relevant to a physical or mental condition
15of the patient that in the physician assistant's judgment impairs the patient's ability
16to exercise reasonable and ordinary control over a motor vehicle.
SB515,28,20 17(2) In good faith, not reporting to the department of transportation under s.
18146.82 (3) a patient's name and other information relevant to a physical or mental
19condition of the patient that in the physician assistant's judgment does not impair
20the patient's ability to exercise reasonable and ordinary control over a motor vehicle.
SB515,28,24 21461.12 Malpractice liability insurance. (1) Except as provided in subs. (2)
22and (3), no physician assistant may practice as authorized under s. 461.10 unless he
23or she has in effect malpractice liability insurance coverage evidenced by one of the
24following:
SB515,29,2
1(a) Personal liability coverage in the amounts specified for health care
2providers under s. 655.23 (4).
SB515,29,43 (b) Coverage under a group liability policy providing individual coverage for the
4physician assistant in the amounts under s. 655.23 (4).
SB515,29,10 5(2) The board may promulgate rules requiring a practicing physician assistant
6to have in effect malpractice liability insurance coverage in amounts greater than
7those specified in sub. (1) (a) or (b) or (4). If the board promulgates rules under this
8subsection, no physician assistant may practice as authorized under s. 461.10 unless
9he or she has in effect malpractice liability insurance coverage as required under
10those rules, except as provided in sub. (3).
SB515,29,14 11(3) A physician assistant who is a state, county, or municipal employee, or
12federal employee or contractor covered under the federal tort claims act, as amended,
13and who is acting within the scope of his or her employment or contractual duties is
14not required to maintain in effect malpractice insurance coverage.
Loading...
Loading...