Shown verbatim: the complete text as captured from the official PDF posted by the Delaware General Assembly, fetched 2026-09-25. Page and line markers are part of the official record; nothing is edited or removed. This is the current version. The official bill page.
SPONSOR: Rep. Berry & Sen. Poore
Reps. Minor-Brown, Morrison, Neal, Romer, Gorman,
Hilovsky; Sens. Huxtable, Pinkney
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY
HOUSE BILL NO. 325
AN ACT TO AMEND THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO PHYSICIAN ASSOCIATES AND PHYSICIAN
ASSISTANTS.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:
1 Section 1. Amend Subchapter VI, Chapter 17, Title 24 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by
2 strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:
3 Subchapter VI. Physician Assistants Associates
4 § 1770. The Regulatory Council for Physician Assistants. Associates.
5 (a) The Regulatory Council for Physician Assistants Associates (Council) shall consist of 7 voting members, 1 of
6 whom is a physician member appointed by the Board, 1 of whom is a physician who regularly collaborates with physician
7 assistants associates appointed by the Board, and 1 of whom is a pharmacist appointed by the Board of Pharmacy. The
8 remaining 4 members, recommended by the Council and appointed by the Board, must be practicing physician assistants,
9 associates, subject to the same causes for removal as a physician member of the Board except that the requirement for
10 certification and registration to practice medicine is replaced by licensure to practice medicine as a physician assistant.
11 associate. The Council may elect officers as necessary and recommend Council members to the Governor for appointment
12 to the Board.
13 (b) Each Council member shall be must be appointed for a term of 3 years and may succeed oneself for 1
14 additional 3-year term. A person appointed to fill a vacancy on the Council is entitled to hold office for the remainder of the
15 unexpired term of the former member. Each term of office expires on the date specified in the appointment; however, a
16 member whose term of office has expired remains eligible to serve until replaced by the Board. A person who has never
17 served on the Council may be appointed for 2 consecutive terms, but that person is thereafter ineligible for appointment to
18 the Council except as hereinafter provided. A person who has twice been appointed to the Council or who has served on the
19 Council for 6 years within any 9-year period may not again be appointed until an interim period of at least 1 year has
20 expired since the person last served. The members of the Council are to be compensated at an appropriate and reasonable
21 level as determined by the Division of Professional Regulation and may be reimbursed for meeting-related travel expenses
HD : RW : DS Page 1 of 22 Released: 03/12/2026 12:00 PM
0161530103
22 at the State’s approved rate. A member serving on the Council may not be an elected officer or a member of the board of
23 directors of any professional association of physician assistants. associates.
24 (c) The Council, in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act [Chapter 101 of Title 29], shall promulgate
25 rules and regulations governing the practice of physician assistants, associates, subject to approval of the Board. The Board
26 must approve or disapprove any proposed rule or regulation within 60 days of submission by the Council. If the Board fails
27 to approve or disapprove the proposed rules or regulations within 60 days, the proposed rule or regulation is deemed
28 approved by the Board.
29 (d) The Council shall must meet at least on a quarterly basis and at other such times as license applications are
30 pending. The Council shall evaluate the credentials of all applications for licensure as a physician assistant associate in this
31 State, in order to determine whether the applicant meets the qualifications for licensure set forth in this chapter. The
32 Council shall present to the Board the names of individuals qualified for licensing, shall review and consider disciplinary
33 complaints and recommend disciplinary action against licensees as necessary, and shall suggest changes in operations or
34 regulations.
35 (e) The Regulatory Council for Physicians Physician Assistants, Associates, by the affirmative vote of 4 of its
36 members and with the approval of the Board within 30 days of the vote, may waive the quarterly meeting requirements of
37 this subchapter.
38 § 1770A. Physician assistants; associates; definitions.
39 For purposes of this subchapter:
40 (1) “Collaborating physician” means physicians means a physician licensed by the Board who practices with a
41 physician assistant associate using a Collaborative Agreement.
42 (2) “Collaboration” or “collaborating” means a process in which the physician who oversees patient services
43 and the physician assistant associate jointly contribute to the healthcare and medical evaluation and treatment or
44 management of patients with each performing actions the physician and physician assistant associate is individually
45 licensed for and has the education, training, and experience to perform. The collaborating physician must be available
46 for consultation with the physician assistant associate during the time of the patient encounter with the physician
47 assistant, associate, if necessary to provide advice on the ongoing care of the patient. The constant physical presence of
48 thecollaborating the collaborating physician is not required on-site in the practice setting, provided that the
49 collaborating physician is readily accessible by some form of electronic communication.
50 (3) “Collaborative agreement” means a written document expressing an arrangement of collaboration between
51 a licensed physician and a physician assistant. associate.
HD : RW : DS Page 2 of 22 Released: 03/12/2026 12:00 PM
0161530103
52 (4) “Independent practice” means practice and prescribing by a licensed physician associate who is not subject
53 to a collaborative agreement to the full extent of the physician associate’s education, training, and experience.
54 (4) (5) “Physician assistant” assistant,” “physician associate,” or “PA” means an individual who meets all of
55 the following:
56 a. Has graduated from a physician assistant assistant, physician associate, or surgeon assistant program
57 which is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA)
58 or, before 2001, by the Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation (CAHEA) of the American
59 Medical Association (AMA), or a successor agency acceptable to and approved by the Board, or has passed the
60 Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination administered by the National Commission on Certification of
61 Physician Assistants before 1986.
62 c. Has passed a national certifying examination acceptable to the Regulatory Council for Physician
63 Assistants Associates and approved by the Board.
64 d. Is licensed under this chapter to practice medicine as a physician assistant. associate.
65 f. Completes a collaborative agreement with the collaborating physician.
66 § 1771. Physician’s role in collaborating with a physician assistant. associate.
67 (a) A collaborating physician who collaborates with a physician assistant must be available for consultation with
68 the physician assistant. associate. It is the obligation of each team of physician(s) physicians and physician assistant(s)
69 associates to ensure that the physician assistant’s associate’s scope of practice is identified, and is appropriate to the
70 physician assistant’s associate’s level of education, training, and experience, that the relationship of, and access to, the
71 collaborating physician is defined, and that a process for evaluation of the physician assistant’s associate’s performance is
72 established.
73 (b) Each physician-physician assistant associate team, hospital, clinic, medical group, or other healthcare facility
74 shall be is responsible for creating a written collaborative agreement, which shall must be kept on file at the primary
75 location where the physician assistant associate provides care, describing the information required by subsection (a) of this
76 section. The written collaborative agreement shall be made available to the Board or the Council upon request.
77 (e) A collaborating physician may not assign medical acts to a physician assistant associate that exceed the
78 physician’s license.
79 (f) A collaborating physician may not at any given time collaborate with more than 4 physician assistants,
80 associates, unless a regulation of the Board increases or decreases the number. This limit does not apply to physicians and
HD : RW : DS Page 3 of 22 Released: 03/12/2026 12:00 PM
0161530103
81 physician assistants associates who practice in the same physical office or facility building, such as an emergency
82 department so long as there is active, physician coverage.
83 (g) A physician who collaborates with a physician assistant associate in violation of the provisions of this
84 subchapter or of regulations adopted pursuant to this subchapter is subject to disciplinary action by the Board of Medical
85 Licensure and Discipline for permitting the unauthorized practice of medicine.
86 (h) Hospitals, clinics, medical groups and other healthcare facilities may employ physician assistants associates
87 subject to subsection (f) of this section.
88 (i) If the collaborating physician is not routinely present the physician must assure that the means and methods of
89 collaboration are adequate to assure appropriate patient care. This may include telecommunication, chart review, or other
90 methods of communication and oversight that are appropriate to the care setting and the education, training training, and
91 experience of the physician assistant. associate.
92 § 1772. Prohibited acts by a physician assistant. associate.
93 (a) A physician assistant associate may not maintain or manage a location that does not have oversight by the
94 physician assistant’s associate’s collaborating physician.
95 (e) Nothing in this chapter may be construed to authorize a physician assistant associate with less than 6,000 hours
96 of post-graduate clinical practice to practice independent of a collaborating physician.
97 (f) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter or in a medical emergency, a physician assistant associate may not
98 perform any medical act without a collaborative agreement.
99 (g) A physician assistant associate may not practice as a member of any other health profession regulated under
100 this code unless the physician assistant associate is certified, licensed, registered, or otherwise authorized to practice the
101 other profession.
102 (h) A physician associate may not practice as a member of any other health profession regulated under this code
103 unless the means and methods of collaboration are adequate to assure appropriate patient care. This may include
104 telecommunication, chart review, or other methods of communication and oversight that are appropriate to the care setting
105 and the education, training, and experience of the physician associate.
106 (i) A Delaware licensed physician associate with more than 6,000 post-graduate clinical practice hours who has
107 been granted independent practice authority is not subject to this section and must collaborate with, consult with, or refer to
108 the appropriate member of the healthcare team as indicated by the patient’s condition, and the education, experience, and
109 competency of the physician associate.
HD : RW : DS Page 4 of 22 Released: 03/12/2026 12:00 PM
0161530103
110 (j) Any Delaware licensed physician associate with more than 6,000 post-graduate clinical practice hours who
111 intends to practice without a collaborative agreement must apply to the Regulatory Council for Physician Associates for
112 independent practice authority.
113 § 1773. Regulation of physician assistants. associates.
114 (a) The Council shall must adopt rules and regulations which address the following:
115 (1) The licensing of physician assistants associates to allow: allow the following:
116 a. The practice of medicine within the education, training, and experience of physician assistants; and
117 associates.
118 b. The performance of medical services customary to the practice of the collaborating physician; services.
119 (2) Medical acts provided by physician assistants associates to include: include the following:
120 a. The performance of complete patient histories and physical examinations; examinations.
121 b. The recording of patient progress notes in an in-patient or out-patient setting; setting.
122 c. The ordering, relaying, transcribing, or executing of specific diagnostic or therapeutic orders or
123 procedures; procedures.
124 d. Medical acts of diagnosis and prescription of therapeutic drugs and treatments; and referral of patients
125 to specialists as needed; needed.
126 e. Prescriptive authority for therapeutic drugs and treatments within the scope of physician assistant
127 associate practice. The physician assistant’s associate’s prescriptive authority and authority to practice as a
128 physician assistant associate are subject to biennial renewal upon application to the Physician Assistant Associate
129 Regulatory Council; and Council.
130 f. The use of telemedicine as defined in this chapter and, as further described in regulation, the use of and
131 participation in telehealth.
132 (3) The verification of post-graduate clinical practice hours for physician associates with more than 6,000
133 post-graduate clinical practice hours.
134 (4) Creating an application for physician associates with more than 6,000 post-graduate clinical practice hours
135 to request independent practice authority. The application form for physician associates who intend to practice in a
136 setting with at least 1 licensed Delaware physician in the group, practice, or health system, must require a physician
137 associate to provide at least the physician associate's name, license number, physical location of the practice, mailing
138 address, phone number, primary area of medical practice, and proof of required post-graduate clinical practice hours.
139 The application form for a physician associate who intends to practice in a setting without at least 1 licensed Delaware
HD : RW : DS Page 5 of 22 Released: 03/12/2026 12:00 PM
0161530103
140 physician in the group, practice, or health system must require a physician associate to provide at least the physician
141 associate's name, license number, physical location of the practice, mailing address, phone number, primary area of
142 medical practice, proof of required post-graduate clinical practice hours, and proof that they have had training which
143 aligns to their practice areas.
144 (5) Creating a process for physician associates who are practicing in a setting without at least 1 licensed
145 Delaware physician in the group, practice, or health system, and have been granted independent practice authority, to
146 notify the Physician Associates Regulatory Council prior to a change of the physician associate’s practice area and
147 provide proof the physician associate has had training which aligns to the new practice area.
148 (6) The conditions under which a physician associate who is denied a waiver of the collaborative agreement
149 requirement may reapply.
150 (b) (1) The Board, in conjunction with the Regulatory Council for Physician Assistants, Associates, shall must
151 suspend, revoke, or restrict the license of a physician assistant associate or take disciplinary action or other action against a
152 physician assistant associate for engaging in unprofessional conduct as defined in § 1731(b) of this title; or for the inability
153 to render medical acts with reasonable skill or safety to patients because of the physician assistant’s associate’s physical,
154 mental, or emotional illness or incompetence, including but not limited to: deterioration through the aging process, or loss
155 of motor skills, or excessive use of drugs, including alcohol; or for representing oneself as a physician, or for knowingly
156 allowing oneself to be represented as a physician; for failing to report in writing to the Board within 30 days of becoming
157 aware of any physician, physician assistant, associate, or healthcare provider who the licensee reasonably believes has
158 engaged in unprofessional conduct as defined in § 1731(b) of this title or is unable to act with reasonable skill or safety to
159 patients because of the physician’s, physician assistant’s, associate’s, or other healthcare provider’s physical, mental, or
160 emotional illness or incompetence, including but not limited to deterioration through the aging process, or loss of motor
161 skills, or excessive use of drugs, including alcohol alcohol, or for failing to report child abuse and neglect as required by §
162 903 of Title 16. The license of any physician assistant associate who is convicted of a felony sexual offense shall must be
163 revoked. Disciplinary action or other action undertaken against a physician assistant associate must be in accordance with
164 the procedures, including appeal procedures, applicable to disciplinary actions against physicians pursuant to subchapter IV
165 of this chapter, except that a hearing panel for a complaint against a physician assistant associate consists of 3 unbiased
166 members of the Regulatory Council, the 3 members being 2 physician assistant associate members and 1 physician or
167 pharmacist member if practicable.
168 A person reporting or testifying in any proceeding as a result of making a report pursuant to this section is
169 immune from claim, suit, liability, damages, or any other recourse, civil or criminal, so long as the person acted in
HD : RW : DS Page 6 of 22 Released: 03/12/2026 12:00 PM
0161530103
170 good faith and without gross or wanton negligence; good faith being presumed until proven otherwise, and gross or
171 wanton negligence required to be shown by the complainant.
172 (2) a. If the Board or the Regulatory Council for Physician Assistants Associates receives a formal or informal
173 complaint concerning the activity of a physician assistant associate and the Regulatory Council members reasonably
174 believe that the activity presents a clear and immediate danger to the public health, the Regulatory Council may issue
175 an order temporarily suspending the physician assistant’s associate’s license to practice pending a hearing upon the
176 written order of the Secretary of State or the Secretary’s designee, with the concurrence of the Council Chair or the
177 Chair’s designee. An order temporarily suspending a license to practice may not be issued by the Council unless the
178 physician assistant associate or the physician assistant’s associate’s attorney received at least 24 hours’ written or oral
179 notice prior to the temporary suspension so that the physician assistant associate or the physician assistant’s associate’s
180 attorney can be heard in opposition to the proposed suspension. An order of temporary suspension pending a hearing
181 may remain in effect for no longer than 60 days from the date of the issuance of the order unless the temporarily
182 suspended physician assistant associate requests a continuance of the hearing date. If the physician assistant associate
183 requests a continuance, the order of temporary suspension remains in effect until the hearing panel convenes and a
184 decision is rendered.
185 b. A physician assistant associate whose license to practice has been temporarily suspended pursuant to
186 this section must be notified of the temporary suspension immediately and in writing. Notification consists of a
187 copy of the complaint and the order of temporary suspension pending a hearing personally served upon the
188 physician assistant associate or sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the physician assistant’s
189 associate’s last known address.
190 c. A physician assistant associate whose license to practice has been temporarily suspended pursuant to
191 this section may request an expedited hearing. The Council shall schedule the hearing on an expedited basis,
192 provided that the Council receives the request within 5 calendar days from the date on which the physician
193 assistant associate received notification of the decision of the Council, with the approval of the Board, to
194 temporarily suspend the physician assistant’s associate’s license to practice.
195 d. As soon as possible after the issuance of an order temporarily suspending a physician assistant’s
196 associate’s license to practice pending a hearing, the Executive Director shall must appoint a 3-member hearing
197 panel. After notice to the physician assistant associate pursuant to subsection (b) paragraph (b)(2)b. of this section,
198 the hearing panel shall convene within 60 days of the date of the issuance of the order of temporary suspension to
199 consider the evidence regarding the matters alleged in the complaint. If the physician assistant associate requests in
HD : RW : DS Page 7 of 22 Released: 03/12/2026 12:00 PM
0161530103
200 a timely manner an expedited hearing, the hearing panel shall convene within 15 days of the receipt of the request
201 by the Council. The 3-member panel shall must proceed to a hearing and shall render a decision within 30 days of
202 the hearing.
203 e. In addition to making findings of fact, the hearing panel shall also determine whether the facts found
204 by it constitute a clear and immediate danger to public health. If the hearing panel determines that the facts found
205 constitute a clear and immediate danger to public health, the order of temporary suspension must remain in effect
206 until the Board deliberates and reaches conclusions of law based upon the findings of fact made by the hearing
207 panel. An order of temporary suspension may not remain in effect for longer than 60 days from the date of the
208 decision rendered by the hearing panel unless the suspended physician assistant associate requests an extension of
209 the order pending a final decision of the Board. Upon the final decision of the Board, an order of temporary
210 suspension is vacated as a matter of law and is replaced by the disciplinary action, if any, ordered by the Board.
211 (c) The Board or the Regulatory Council for Physician Assistants Associates may not impose any sanction
212 pursuant to under subsection (b) of this section for the performance, recommendation, or provision of any healthcare
213 service that is lawful in this State even if such performance, recommendation, or provision is for a person who resides in a
214 state where such performance, recommendation, or provision is illegal or considered to be unprofessional conduct or the
215 unauthorized practice of a physician assistant. associate.
216 (d) A physician associate may be designated as the primary care provider by an insurer or health-care services
217 corporation.
218 (e) A physician associate must collaborate with, consult with, and refer to the appropriate member of the
219 healthcare team as indicated by the patient’s condition, and the education, experience, and competencies of the physician
220 associate.
221 (f) Payment for services within the physician associate’s scope of practice must be made when ordered or
222 performed by the physician associate, if the same service would have been covered if ordered or performed by a physician.
223 Payment for services must be based on the services provided and not on the health care professional who delivered the
224 service. Physician associates must be authorized to bill for and receive direct payment for the medically necessary services
225 they deliver.
226 (1) To ensure accountability and transparency for patients, payers, and the healthcare system, when
227 appropriate, a physician associate must also be identified as the rendering professional in the billing and claims process
228 when the physician associate delivers medical or surgical services to patients.
HD : RW : DS Page 8 of 22 Released: 03/12/2026 12:00 PM
0161530103
229 (2) No insurance company or third-party payer may impose a practice, education, or collaboration requirement
230 that is inconsistent with or more restrictive than existing physician associate state law or regulation.
231 § 1773A. Participation in disaster or emergency care.
232 (a) A physician assistant associate licensed in this State or licensed or authorized to practice in any other U.S.
233 jurisdiction or credentialed as a physician assistant associate by a federal employer who is responding to a need for medical
234 care created by an emergency or a state or local disaster (excluding an emergency which occurs in that person’s place of
235 employment or practice) may render such care that the physician assistant associate is able to provide without collaboration
236 pursuant to § 1770A of this title or with such collaboration as is available.
237 (b) Any physician who collaborates with a physician assistant associate providing medical care in response to such
238 an emergency or state or local disaster shall not be required to meet the requirements set forth in this subchapter for a
239 collaborating physician.
240 (c) A person licensed as a physician assistant associate under this chapter who, in good faith and without gross or
241 wanton negligence, renders emergency care at the scene of an emergency, excluding an emergency which occurs in that
242 person’s place of employment or practice, shall not be liable for civil damages as a result of any acts or omissions in
243 rendering the emergency care.
244 § 1774. Temporary licensing of physician assistants. associates.
245 (a) Notwithstanding any provision of this subchapter to the contrary, the Executive Director, with the approval of a
246 Council member, may grant a temporary license to an individual who has graduated from a physician or surgeon assistant
247 or associate program which has been accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician
248 Assistant (ARC-PA) or, prior to 2001, by the Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation (CAHEA) of the
249 American Medical Association (AMA) or a successor agency and who otherwise meets the qualifications for licensure but
250 who has not yet taken a national certifying examination, provided that the individual is registered to take and takes the next
251 scheduled national certifying examination. A temporary license granted pursuant to this subsection is valid until the results
252 of the examination are available from the certifying agency. If the individual fails to pass the national certifying
253 examination, the temporary license granted pursuant to this subsection must be immediately rescinded until the individual
254 successfully qualifies for licensure pursuant to this subchapter.
255 (b) An individual who is temporarily licensed pursuant to this section may not have a prescriptive practice and
256 may not perform medical acts except in the physical presence of the individual’s collaborating physician.
257 § 1774A. Fees set by Board.
HD : RW : DS Page 9 of 22 Released: 03/12/2026 12:00 PM
0161530103
258 The Division of Professional Regulation shall establish fees for licensing physician assistants, associates, for
259 renewing licenses on a biennial basis, and for other regulatory purposes. The fees must approximate the costs reasonably
260 necessary to defray the actual expenses of the Board and the regulatory council, as well as the proportional expenses
261 incurred by the Division in administering the issuance and renewal of licenses, and other regulation of physician assistants.
262 associates.
263 § 1774B. Prohibited acts; penalties; enforcement.
264 (a) A person may not practice as a physician assistant associate, physician assistant, or PA in this State or represent
265 that the person is a physician assistant associate, physician assistant, or PA or knowingly allow himself or herself to be
266 represented as a physician assistant associate, physician assistant, or PA unless the person is licensed under this subchapter,
267 except as otherwise provided in this chapter.
268 (b) A person who, contrary to the provisions of this subchapter, practices or attempts to practice as a physician
269 assistant associate, physician assistant, or PA within the State or represents that the person is a physician assistant associate,
270 physician assistant, or PA or knowingly allows himself or herself to be represented as a physician assistant associate,
271 physician assistant, or PA shall be fined not less than $500 nor more than $2,000 or imprisoned not more than 1 year, or
272 both.
273 (c) The Attorney General of this State or a deputy attorney general shall enforce the provisions of this subchapter.
274 § 1774C. Procedure or action not prescribed.
275 This subchapter governs the practice of physician assistants. associates. If a procedure or action is not specifically
276 prescribed in this subchapter, but is prescribed in the subchapters relating to the practice of medicine, and the procedure or
277 action would be useful or necessary for the regulation of physician assistants, associates, the Board or Council may, in its
278 discretion, proceed in a manner prescribed for physicians in the practice of medicine.
279 § 1774D. Inactive license; return to clinical practice.
280 (a) Any physician assistant associate who notifies the Board in writing on forms prescribed by the Board may elect
281 to place that physician assistant’s associate’s license on inactive status. A physician assistant associate whose license is
282 inactive shall be excused from payment of renewal fees and shall not practice as a physician assistant. associate. Any
283 licensee who engages in practice while that licensee’s license is inactive shall be considered to be practicing without a
284 license, which shall be grounds for discipline under § 1774B of this title. A physician assistant associate whose license has
285 been inactive for 3 years or less may reactivate the license by paying the renewal fee pursuant to § 1774A of this title and
286 meeting the requirements for ordinary license renewal as determined by the Board.
HD : RW : DS Page 10 of 22 Released: 03/12/2026 12:00 PM
0161530103
287 (b) If a physician assistant associate whose license has been on inactive status for in excess of 3 years and who has
288 not practiced as a physician assistant associate in any jurisdiction of the United States for over 3 years requests to reactivate
289 the license, the Board may grant a re-entry license and may, after consultation with the Council, impose additional practice
290 and collaboration requirements for the re-entry license. A re-entry license granted under this subsection shall be valid for no
291 longer than 6 months and may be renewed only once at the Board’s discretion. In the month immediately preceding the
292 month during which the re-entry license will expire, a physician assistant associate may apply to the Board for a full license
293 as a physician assistant. associate. The Board shall grant a full license to a physician assistant associate who meets all
294 qualifications for licensure and whom the Board determines is qualified to practice. If the Board determines that a physician
295 assistant associate is still not qualified to receive a full license at the conclusion of the re-entry license period, the Board
296 may only once renew the re-entry license. If the Board elects to renew a re-entry license instead of issuing a full license, the
297 Board shall provide to the physician assistant associate a written explanation for that decision when issuing the renewed re-
298 entry license.
299 Additional practice requirements that the Board may choose to impose as a condition of a re-entry license may
300 include: include any of the following:
301 (1) Requiring the collaborating physician to be physically on-site while the physician assistant associate is
302 practicing; practicing.
303 (2) Requiring the collaborating physician to review and countersign a portion of patient charts for patients
304 seen by the physician assistant; associate.
305 (3) Requiring the physician assistant to possess current certification from the NCCPA; NCCPA.
306 (4) Requiring the physician assistant to take a review course or to complete a specified amount of Category 1
307 CME, as determined by the Council and agreed upon by the Board as appropriate; and appropriate.
308 (5) Requiring documentation of a specific minimum number of clinical practice hours performed under the re-
309 entry license.
310 (6) Requiring the physician associate to have a collaborative agreement with a physician for a specified
311 number of hours.
312 (c) The above subsection Subsection (b) of this section shall also apply applies to a physician assistant associate
313 who has not placed the physician assistant’s associate’s license on inactive status in this State but who has previously
314 practiced as a physician assistant associate in another jurisdiction of the United States and has not actively engaged in
315 clinical practice for a period in excess of 3 years immediately prior to applying for a license under this subchapter.
316 § 1774E. Participation in charitable and voluntary care.
HD : RW : DS Page 11 of 22 Released: 03/12/2026 12:00 PM
0161530103
317 A physician assistant associate licensed in this State, or licensed or authorized to practice in any other U.S.
318 jurisdiction, or who is credentialed by a federal employer or meets the licensure requirements of their requisite federal
319 agency as a physician assistant associate may volunteer to render such medical care the physician assistant associate is able
320 to provide at public or community events and facilities without a collaborating physician as defined in this chapter or with
321 such collaborating physicians as may be available. Such medical care must be rendered without compensation or
322 remuneration.
323 § 1774F. Physician associates; applicability of name change.
324 (a) As of the [effective date of this Act], the title of “physician assistant” in Delaware is changed to “physician
325 associate.” This change is not intended to change any rights or privileges of those who have been or continue to hold
326 themselves out to be a “physician assistant” and any provision of law that says “physician assistant” also means “physician
327 associate.”
328 (b) This name change does not alter, affect, or impact any billing, reimbursement, or payment policies currently in
329 place for a physician assistant. All billing practices, insurance reimbursement policies, and agreements that apply to
330 physician assistants continue to apply in the same manner to physician associates. No insurer may deny reimbursement for
331 services rendered by a physician associate solely as a result of this name change.
332 Section 2. Amend § 2501M, Title 6 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and
333 insertions as shown by underline as follows:
334 § 2501M. Definitions.
335 As used in this chapter:
336 (2) “Licensed medical provider” means a physician, physician assistant, associate, advanced practice
337 registered nurse, radiologist, or ultrasound technician, each of whom is licensed or certified in this State and is
338 practicing within the provider’s scope of practice.
339 Section 3. Amend § 302, Title 14 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and
340 insertions as shown by underline as follows:
341 § 302. Definitions.
342 As used in this chapter:
343 (10) “Health-care provider” means a physician, a physician assistant, associate, an advanced practice
344 registered nurse, or another licensed health-care professional, each of whom is trained and experienced in the
345 evaluation, management, and care of concussions.
346 (15) “Physician assistant” “Physician associate” means as defined in § 1770A of Title 24.
HD : RW : DS Page 12 of 22 Released: 03/12/2026 12:00 PM
0161530103
347 Section 4. Amend § 305, Title 14 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and
348 insertions as shown by underline as follows:
349 § 305. Board composition.
350 (a) The Board of Directors consists of 17 members, 15 of whom are voting members. The membership is
351 composed as follows:
352 (5) One of the following professionals, who is knowledgeable about sports medicine:
353 a. A physician.
354 b. A physician assistant. associate.
355 c. An advanced practice registered nurse.
356 Section 5. Amend § 802D, Title 16 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and
357 insertions as shown by underline as follows:
358 § 802D. Definitions.
359 As used in this chapter:
360 (1) “Perinatal health-care provider” means a physician, midwife, advanced practice registered nurse,
361 registered nurse, physician assistant, associate, or other health-care practitioner acting within the lawful scope of
362 practice while attending a person who presents in pregnancy or the postpartum period.
363 Section 6. Amend § 2504, Title 16 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and
364 insertions as shown by underline as follows:
365 § 2504. Presumption of capacity; overcoming presumption.
366 (b) Subject to §§ 2505 and 2506 of this title and subsection (c) of this section, a presumption under subsection (a)
367 of this section may be rebutted by a finding that the individual lacks capacity:
368 (1) Made on the basis of a contemporaneous examination by any of the following individuals who must be
369 licensed or otherwise authorized to practice in this State and must have training and expertise in the finding of lack of
370 capacity:
371 c. A physician assistant. associate.
372 Section 7. Amend § 3002G, Title 16 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and
373 insertions as shown by underline as follows:
374 § 3002G. Definitions.
375 For purposes of this chapter:
376 (1) “Health-care practitioner” means an individual licensed under Title 24 as any of the following:
HD : RW : DS Page 13 of 22 Released: 03/12/2026 12:00 PM
0161530103
377 a. A physician.
378 b. An advanced practice registered nurse.
379 c. A physician assistant. associate.
380 Section 8. Amend § 3003L, Title 16 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and
381 insertions as shown by underline as follows:
382 § 3003L. Definitions.
383 For purposes of this chapter:
384 (6) “Health-care provider” means a licensed physician (doctor of medicine or doctor of osteopathic medicine),
385 a physician assistant, associate, or an advanced practice registered nurse, who is trained and experienced in the
386 evaluation, management, and care of concussions, or such other licensed health-care professional who is trained and
387 experienced in the evaluation, management, and care of concussions, as defined by the Division.
388 Section 9. Amend § 4902A, Title 16 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and
389 insertions as shown by underline as follows:
390 § 4902A. Definitions [For application of this section, see 82 Del. Laws, c. 246, § 5].
391 For purposes of this chapter:
392 (8) “Health-care practitioner” means an individual who is licensed and authorized to write medical orders
393 under Title 24 as a physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant, associate, except as otherwise
394 provided in this paragraph. If the qualifying patient is younger than 18 years of age, the health-care practitioner must
395 be a physician who is a pediatric neurologist, pediatric gastroenterologist, pediatric oncologist, pediatric psychiatrist,
396 developmental pediatrician, or pediatric palliative care specialist.
397 Section 10. Amend § 5001, Title 16 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and
398 insertions as shown by underline as follows:
399 § 5001. Definitions.
400 Except where the context indicates otherwise, as used in this chapter:
401 (12) “Licensed independent practitioner” means employees of designated psychiatric treatment facilities, in
402 addition to psychiatrists, who hold credentials and privileges to admit persons into care and write orders to treat said
403 persons in that facility. Licensed independent practitioners can include but are not limited to staff that hold licenses as
404 psychologists, advanced practices nurses, and physician assistants associates or such other health-care providers as may
405 be designated to work independently pursuant to the regulations of the Department.
HD : RW : DS Page 14 of 22 Released: 03/12/2026 12:00 PM
0161530103
406 Section 11. Amend § 9302, Title 16 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and
407 insertions as shown by underline as follows:
408 § 9302. Definitions.
409 The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in
410 this section, except where the context indicates a different meaning:
411 (4) “Health-care facility” shall include hospital, nursing home, freestanding birthing center, freestanding
412 surgical center, freestanding acute inpatient rehabilitation hospital, and freestanding emergency center, whether or not
413 licensed or required to be licensed by the State, whether operated for profit or nonprofit and whether privately owned
414 or operated or owned or operated by a unit of State or local government. The term also includes continual care
415 communities and any other nontraditional, long-term care facilities identified by the Department of Health and Social
416 Services or the Delaware Health Care Commission. The term does not include Christian Science sanatoriums operated
417 or listed and certified by the First Church of Christ Scientist, Boston, Massachusetts. The term shall not include any
418 physician’s office, whether an individual or group practice, any independent clinical laboratory or any radiology
419 laboratory. The term shall also not include the office of any other licensed health-care provider, including, but not
420 limited to, physical therapist, dentist, physician assistant, associate, podiatrist, chiropractor, an independently
421 practicing nurse or nurse practitioner, optometrist, pharmacist or psychologist. The term also shall not include any
422 dispensary or first aid station located within a business or industrial establishment maintained solely for the use of
423 employees, provided that the facility does not contain inpatient beds, nor shall it apply to any first aid station or
424 dispensary or infirmary offering non-acute services exclusively for use by students and employees of a school or
425 university or by inmates and employees of a prison, provided that services delivered therein are not the substantial
426 equivalent of hospital services in the same area or community. Further:
427 a. “Freestanding acute inpatient rehabilitation hospital” shall mean a facility that satisfies, or is expected
428 by the person who will construct, develop or establish the facility to satisfy, the requirements of 42 C.F.R. §
429 412.23(b); provided that, if such facility is not paid under the prospective payment system specified in 42 C.F.R. §
430 412.1(a)(3) within 24 months after accepting its first patient, then it shall not be considered a freestanding acute
431 inpatient rehabilitation hospital under this section.
432 b. “Freestanding birthing center” shall mean any facility licensed as such pursuant to Chapter 1 of this
433 title and more particularly in the Department of Health and Social Services Regulations.
434 c. “Freestanding emergency center” shall mean any facility licensed as such pursuant to Chapter 1 of this
435 title and more particularly 16 DE Admin. Code 3340.
HD : RW : DS Page 15 of 22 Released: 03/12/2026 12:00 PM
0161530103
436 d. “Freestanding surgical center” shall mean any facility licensed as such pursuant to Chapter 1 of this
437 title and more particularly in the Department of Health and Social Services Regulations.
438 e. “Hospital” shall mean any nonfederal facility licensed as such pursuant to Chapter 10 of this title and
439 more particularly 16 DE Admin. Code 3370.
440 f. “Nursing home” shall mean any nonfederal facility licensed as such pursuant to Chapter 11 of this title
441 and more particularly 16 DE Admin. Code 3201.
442 Section 12. Amend § 9817, Title 16 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and
443 insertions as shown by underline as follows:
444 § 9817. Mobile-integrated healthcare and community paramedicine programs [For application of section, see 84
445 Del. Laws, c. 419, § 6].
446 (g) An individual employed to work in a mobile-integrated healthcare or community paramedicine program shall
447 meet the requirements for certification or licensure imposed by this State and the organization employing the individual.
448 (1) A mobile-integrated healthcare or community paramedicine program may include physicians, nurse
449 practitioners, advanced practice registered nurse, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, physician assistants,
450 associates, physical or occupational therapists, mental health providers, paramedics, or other emergency medical
451 services providers.
452 Section 13. Amend § 9903, Title 16 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and
453 insertions as shown by underline as follows:
454 § 9903. Duties and authority of the Commission.
455 (j) The Commission shall be responsible for the administration of a Health Care Provider Loan Repayment
456 Program (HCPLRP). The HCPLRP must be administered consistent with all of the following guidelines:
457 (4) The award of health care provider loan repayment grants must be limited to the recruitment and retention
458 of new primary care or dental providers in ambulatory and outpatient settings. For purposes of this paragraph (j)(4), a
459 “new primary care or dental provider” means any of the following providers who have completed graduate education
460 within 2 years of the application for a health care provider loan repayment grant being submitted:
461 a. Physicians practicing family medicine (including osteopathic general practice), internal medicine,
462 pediatrics, obstetrics/ gynecology, geriatrics, and psychiatry.
463 b. Nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, clinical nurse specialists, licensed psychologists,
464 licensed professional counselors of mental health, masters of psychology, licensed clinical social workers, and
HD : RW : DS Page 16 of 22 Released: 03/12/2026 12:00 PM
0161530103
465 physician assistants associates practicing adult medicine, family medicine, pediatrics, psychiatry/mental health,
466 geriatrics, and women’s health.
467 c. Dental clinicians possessing a DDS or DMD and practicing general, pediatric, or public health
468 dentistry.
469 Section 14. Amend § 3370J, Title 18 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and
470 insertions as shown by underline as follows:
471 § 3370J. Pharmacist services reimbursement.
472 (b) For any individual insurance policy, contract, or certificate that is delivered, issued for delivery, renewed,
473 extended, or modified in this State after January 1, 2025, a carrier must provide reimbursement to a pharmacist for a service
474 or procedure at a rate not less than that provided to other nonphysician practitioners if the service or procedure is all of the
475 following:
476 (1) Within the scope of practice of a pharmacist.
477 (2) Would otherwise be covered under the policy, plan, or contract if the service or procedure is provided by
478 any health-care service provider or practitioner, including a physician, advance practice registered nurse, or physician
479 assistant. associate.
480 (c) Whenever a service is performed by a licensed pharmacist and reimbursed by a carrier, the licensed pharmacist
481 must be granted such rights of participation, plan admission, and registration as may be granted by the carrier to any health-
482 care service provider or practitioner, including a physician, advance practice registered nurse, or physician assistant
483 associate performing such a service.
484 Section 15. Amend § 3571CC, Title 18 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and
485 insertions as shown by underline as follows:
486 § 3571CC. Pharmacist services reimbursement.
487 (b) For all group and blanket insurance policies, contracts, or certificates that are delivered, issued for delivery,
488 renewed, extended, or modified in this State after January, 1, 2025, a carrier must provide reimbursement to a pharmacist
489 for a service or procedure at a rate not less than that provided to other nonphysician practitioners if the service or procedure
490 is all of the following:
491 (1) Within the scope of practice of a pharmacist.
492 (2) Would otherwise be covered under the policy, plan, or contract if the service or procedure is provided by
493 any health-care service provider or practitioner, including a physician, advance practice registered nurse, or physician
494 assistant. associate.
HD : RW : DS Page 17 of 22 Released: 03/12/2026 12:00 PM
0161530103
495 Section 16. Amend § 3132, Title 20 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and
496 insertions as shown by underline as follows:
497 § 3132. Definitions.
498 For purposes of this subchapter:
499 (5) “Health care provider” means any person or entity who provides health care services, including, but not
500 limited to, hospitals, medical clinics and offices, special care facilities, medical laboratories, physicians, pharmacists,
501 dentists, physician assistants, associates, nurse practitioners, registered and other nurses, paramedics, emergency
502 medical or laboratory technicians, and ambulance and emergency medical workers.
503 Section 17. Amend § 101, Title 21 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and
504 insertions as shown by underline as follows:
505 § 101. Words and phrases [For application of this section, see 85 Del. Laws, c. 40, § 15].
506 For the purposes of this title, unless the context otherwise clearly indicates:
507 (34) “Licensed practitioner” means a physician, physician assistant associate (PA), or APRN licensed under
508 Title 24.
509 Section 18. Amend § 2134, Title 21 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and
510 insertions as shown by underline as follows:
511 § 2134. Special license plates for persons with disabilities which limit or impair the ability to walk; parking;
512 penalties.
513 (a) The owner of a vehicle registered in Delaware and described in subsection (b) of this section may apply to the
514 Department for the issuing to the vehicle a special license plate for persons with disabilities which limit or impair the ability
515 to walk if a licensed physician, a physician assistant associate who is supervised by a licensed physician, or an advanced
516 practice nurse who is employed by or who has a collaborative agreement with a licensed physician, certifies that the
517 applicant or a household member has 1 or more of the following disabilities that are permanent with no prognosis for
518 improvement:
519 (1) Cannot walk 200 feet without stopping to rest;
520 (2) Cannot walk safely without the use of or assistance from a brace, cane, crutch, another person, prosthetic
521 device, wheelchair or other assistive device;
522 (3) Is restricted by lung disease to such an extent that the applicant’s or household member’s forced
523 (respiratory) expiratory volume for 1 second, when measured by spirometry, is less than 1 liter or the arterial oxygen
524 tension is less than 60 mm/hg on room air at rest;
HD : RW : DS Page 18 of 22 Released: 03/12/2026 12:00 PM
0161530103
525 (4) Uses portable oxygen;
526 (5) Has a cardiac condition to the extent that the applicant’s or household member’s functional limitations are
527 classified in severity as Class III or Class IV according to standards set by the American Heart Association; or
528 (6) Is severely limited in that person’s own ability to walk due to an arthritic, neurological or orthopedic
529 condition.
530 (c) A special license plate may be issued under this section only if the applicant submits proof satisfactory to the
531 Department that the applicant or a household member has a disability that is permanent with no prognosis for improvement
532 as described in paragraphs (a)(1)-(6) of this section. Satisfactory proof prior to issuance must include the signature of a
533 licensed physician, a physician assistant associate who is supervised by a licensed physician, a physician associate who has
534 been granted independent practice authority, or an advanced practice nurse who is employed by or who has a collaborative
535 agreement with a licensed physician, on a Department special disabled license plate or placard applicant form on which the
536 physician, a physician assistant associate who is supervised by a licensed physician, a physician associate who has been
537 granted independent practice authority, or an advanced practice nurse who is employed by or who has a collaborative
538 agreement with a licensed physician, certifies the applicant’s or household member’s permanent disability. Renewal of the
539 registration for the vehicle to which the special license plate is assigned shall require the applicant to submit a written
540 certification that the applicant continues to require the special license plate for the reason or reasons it was initially issued; a
541 new certification is not required. The issuance of a special license plate does not preclude the issuance of 1 removable
542 windshield placard pursuant to § 2135 of this title.
543 (g) (1) A person who intentionally presents false information to a licensed physician, a physician assistant
544 associate who is supervised by a licensed physician, a physician associate who has been granted independent practice
545 authority, or an advanced practice nurse who is employed by or who has a collaborative agreement with a licensed
546 physician, or to the Department in an attempt to obtain a special license plate under this section shall be guilty of an
547 unclassified misdemeanor. For the first offense, the person shall receive a mandatory fine of $100. For each subsequent like
548 offense, the person shall receive a mandatory fine of $200 or be imprisoned for not less than 10 nor more than 30 days, or
549 both. Any other violation of this section is a violation. Justices of the peace have jurisdiction over violations of this section.
550 (2) A summons may be attached to an unattended vehicle found in violation of any of the provisions of this
551 section by any police officer or State Police Academy cadet authorized to issue a summons for a violation of this
552 section. It is prima facie evidence that the person in whose name the unattended vehicle is registered is responsible for
553 the violation.
HD : RW : DS Page 19 of 22 Released: 03/12/2026 12:00 PM
0161530103
554 Section 19. Amend § 2603, Title 21 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and
555 insertions as shown by underline as follows:
556 § 2603. Definitions.
557 Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, the following definitions apply to this chapter:
558 (34) “Medical examiner” for purposes of conducting U.S. Department of Transportation physical examination
559 for CMV certification means a person who is licensed, certified, and/or registered, in accordance with applicable state
560 laws and regulations, to perform physical examinations. The term includes but is not limited to, doctors of medicine,
561 doctors of osteopathy, physician assistants, associates, advanced practice nurses, and doctors of chiropractic. For
562 medical examinations conducted on and after May 21, 2014, a medical examiner must be certified by FMCSA and
563 listed on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners as defined in this section.
564 Section 20. Amend § 1319, Title 22 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and
565 insertions as shown by underline as follows:
566 § 1319. Termination of services to a dwelling unit.
567 (d) In no event may such termination occur if an occupant of a dwelling unit is so ill that the termination of service
568 will adversely affect the occupant’s health or recovery, which has been certified by a signed statement from a duly licensed
569 physician, physician assistant, associate, or advanced nurse practitioner, of this State or of a state with similar accreditation
570 and received by any employee or officer of an electric company. Signed statements from a licensed physician, physician
571 assistant, associate, or advanced nurse practitioner, obtained pursuant to this section are effective for 120 days. Signed
572 statements may be renewed by means of a new signed statement to prevent termination only if a customer makes a good
573 faith effort to make payments towards the electric company. The electric company must create a dispute resolution process
574 where disputes under this section may be reviewed. While such dispute is pending, an electric company must continue to
575 provide utility service to the customer until the dispute is resolved. When possible, no termination under this section may
576 occur without advance notice to any known case manager or coordinator of an occupant in an affected dwelling unit.
577 Section 21. Amend § 117, Title 26 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and
578 insertions as shown by underline as follows:
579 § 117. Termination of service or sale to a dwelling unit.
580 (d) In no event may such termination occur if an occupant of a dwelling unit is so ill that the termination of such
581 sale or service will adversely affect the occupant’s health or recovery, which has been so certified by a signed statement
582 from a licensed physician, physician assistant, associate, or advanced nurse practitioner, of this State or of a state with
583 similar accreditation and received by any employee or officer of such person engaging in the distribution or sale of gas,
HD : RW : DS Page 20 of 22 Released: 03/12/2026 12:00 PM
0161530103
584 water, or electricity. Signed statements from a licensed physician, physician assistant, associate, or advanced nurse
585 practitioner, obtained pursuant to this section are effective for 120 days. Signed statements may be renewed by means of a
586 new signed statement to prevent termination only if a customer makes a good faith effort to make payments towards the
587 utility service being provided. The Delaware Public Service Commission may promulgate regulations defining “good faith
588 effort to make payments.” If a utility is subject to the jurisdiction of the Delaware Public Service Commission, that utility
589 or a customer of the utility may petition the Delaware Public Service Commission for review of any dispute under this
590 section. While such dispute is pending, a utility must continue to provide utility service to the customer until a final
591 Commission adjudication on the petition is issued. When possible, no termination under this section may occur without
592 advance notice to any known case manager or coordinator of an occupant in an affected dwelling unit.
593 Section 22. Amend § 5220, Title 29 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and
594 insertions as shown by underline as follows:
595 § 5220. Pharmacist services reimbursement.
596 (a) The plan must provide reimbursement to a pharmacist for a service or procedure at a rate not less than that
597 provided to other nonphysician practitioners if the service or procedure is all of the following:
598 (1) Within the scope of practice of a pharmacist.
599 (2) Would otherwise be covered under the policy, plan, or contract if the service or procedure is provided by
600 any health-care service provider or practitioner, including a physician, advance practice registered nurse, or physician
601 assistant. associate.
602 (b) Whenever a service is performed by a licensed pharmacist and reimbursed by the plan, the licensed pharmacist
603 must be granted such rights of participation, plan admission, and registration as may be granted by the plan to any health-
604 care service provider or practitioner, including a physician, advance practice registered nurse, or physician assistant
605 associate performing such a service.
606 Section 23. This Act is effective immediately and is to be implemented the earlier of the following:
607 (1) One year from the date of the Act’s enactment.
608 (2) When the Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline approves the enabling regulations promulgated by
609 the Regulatory Council of Physician Associates.
SYNOPSIS
This Act changes the title of “physician assistant” to “physician associate” in Title 24, as well as changes the
references from physician assistant to physician associate throughout the Delaware Code. It does not change any rights or
privileges of those who have been or continue to hold themselves out to be a “physician assistant.”
Current law provides that a physician associate may not maintain or manage a location that does not have
oversight by the physician associate’s collaborating physician. This Act provides that a licensed physician associate with
more than 6,000 post-graduate clinical practice hours who intends to practice without a collaborative agreement must apply
to the Regulatory Council for Physician Assistants for independent practice authority.
HD : RW : DS Page 21 of 22 Released: 03/12/2026 12:00 PM
0161530103
This Act also provides that the Regulatory Council for Physician Associates must adopt rules and regulations to
address the following: (1) the verification of post-graduate clinical practice hours for physician associates with more than
6,000 post-graduate clinical practice hours; (2) creating an application for physician associates with more than 6,000 post-
graduate clinical practice hours to request independent practice authority; (3) creating a process for physician associates
who practice without at least 1 licensed Delaware physician in the group, practice, or health system, and have been granted
independent practice authority, to notify the Physician Associates Regulatory Council prior to a change of their practice
area and provide proof they have had training which aligns to the new practice area; and (4) the conditions under which a
physician associate may be denied independent practice authority and how to reapply.
The Act also provides that a physician associate is considered to be a primary care provider when practicing in the
medical specialties for a physician to be a primary care provider. Payment for services within the physician associate’s
scope of practice must be made when ordered or performed by the physician associate, if the same service would have been
covered if ordered or performed by a physician. Payment for services must be based on the services provided and not on the
health care professional who delivered the service. Physician associates must be authorized to bill for and receive direct
payment for the medically necessary services they deliver.
The Act also provides that a physician associate who has independent practice authority may sign the special
disabled license plate or placard applicant form certifying that a person is disabled, for use in an application to receive a
special license plate.
This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative
Drafting Manual.
This Act is effective immediately and to be implemented the earlier of : (1) One year from the date of the Act’s
enactment; or (2) When the Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline approves the enabling regulations promulgated by
the Regulatory Council of Physician Associates.
HD : RW : DS Page 22 of 22 Released: 03/12/2026 12:00 PM
0161530103Every fact on this page links to its source, starting with the official bill record.