2026 -- S 2859

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LC005400

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS

     Introduced By: Senators DiMario, Lauria, Zurier, Murray, Valverde, Euer, Kallman,
Acosta, DiPalma, and Pearson

     Date Introduced: March 04, 2026

     Referred To: Senate Health & Human Services

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 5-54 of the General Laws entitled "Physician Assistants" is hereby

amended by adding thereto the following section:

     5-54-29. Physician assistant -- Behavioral health license.

     (a) Creation of license. There is hereby established a specialty license designation known

as "physician assistant - behavioral health" for physician assistants practicing in the field of

psychiatry or mental health.

     (b) Eligibility. An applicant for licensure as a physician assistant - behavioral health shall:

     (1) Hold a current and active license as a physician assistant in the State of Rhode Island

pursuant to this chapter; and

     (2) Hold a current certificate of added qualifications ("CAQ") in psychiatry issued by the

national commission on certification of physician assistants ("NCCPA").

     (c) Criteria. The requirements for issuance and maintenance of the physician assistant –

behavioral health license shall be satisfied upon proof that the applicant has met and continues to

meet all criteria established by the NCCPA for the psychiatry CAQ including, but not limited to:

     (1) Possession of a current PA-C designation;

     (2) Completion of required continuing medical education credits in psychiatry;

     (3) Completion of required clinical experience hours in psychiatry practice;

     (4) Attestation of competency by a collaborating or supervising physician in psychiatry;

and

     (5) Successful passage of the NCCPA psychiatry specialty examination.

     (d) Application and renewal. The department of health shall promulgate rules and

regulations governing the application, renewal, and documentation requirements for the physician

assistant - behavioral health license. Renewal of this specialty license shall require continued

maintenance of the psychiatry CAQ through the NCCPA.

     (e) Scope of practice. A physician assistant - behavioral health shall practice in accordance

with the collaborative practice provisions of this chapter and applicable regulations. This specialty

license shall not expand the scope of practice otherwise authorized under Rhode Island law but

shall recognize advanced qualifications in psychiatry and mental health.

     (f) Designation. A physician assistant issued a license pursuant to this section may use the

title "physician assistant - behavioral health" or "PA-BH" in this state.

     (g) Purpose. The specialty license created by this section is intended to formally recognize

advanced psychiatric qualifications of physician assistants and to facilitate appropriate insurance

reimbursement for behavioral health services provided within their lawful scope of practice

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS

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     This act would create a Rhode Island specialty license for physician assistants who earn

the NCCPA psychiatry CAQ, formally recognizing advanced behavioral health qualifications and

supporting appropriate insurance reimbursement.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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