Shown verbatim: the complete text as captured from the official PDF posted by the Rhode Island General Assembly, fetched 2026-07-29. Page and line markers are part of the official record; nothing is edited or removed. The official bill page.
S2859 2026 -- S 2859 ======== LC005400 ======== STATE OF RHODE ISLAND IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026 ____________ 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: 1 SECTION 1. Chapter 5-54 of the General Laws entitled Physician Assistants is hereby 2 amended by adding thereto the following section: 3 5-54-29. Physician assistant -- Behavioral health license. 4 (a) Creation of license. There is hereby established a specialty license designation known 5 as physician assistant - behavioral health for physician assistants practicing in the field of 6 psychiatry or mental health. 7 (b) Eligibility. An applicant for licensure as a physician assistant - behavioral health shall: 8 (1) Hold a current and active license as a physician assistant in the State of Rhode Island 9 pursuant to this chapter; and 10 (2) Hold a current certificate of added qualifications ( CAQ ) in psychiatry issued by the 11 national commission on certification of physician assistants ( NCCPA ). 12 (c) Criteria. The requirements for issuance and maintenance of the physician assistant – 13 behavioral health license shall be satisfied upon proof that the applicant has met and continues to 14 meet all criteria established by the NCCPA for the psychiatry CAQ including, but not limited to: 15 (1) Possession of a current PA-C designation; 16 (2) Completion of required continuing medical education credits in psychiatry; 17 (3) Completion of required clinical experience hours in psychiatry practice; 18 (4) Attestation of competency by a collaborating or supervising physician in psychiatry; 19 and 1 (5) Successful passage of the NCCPA psychiatry specialty examination. 2 (d) Application and renewal. The department of health shall promulgate rules and 3 regulations governing the application, renewal, and documentation requirements for the physician 4 assistant - behavioral health license. Renewal of this specialty license shall require continued 5 maintenance of the psychiatry CAQ through the NCCPA. 6 (e) Scope of practice. A physician assistant - behavioral health shall practice in accordance 7 with the collaborative practice provisions of this chapter and applicable regulations. This specialty 8 license shall not expand the scope of practice otherwise authorized under Rhode Island law but 9 shall recognize advanced qualifications in psychiatry and mental health. 10 (f) Designation. A physician assistant issued a license pursuant to this section may use the 11 title physician assistant - behavioral health or PA-BH in this state. 12 (g) Purpose. The specialty license created by this section is intended to formally recognize 13 advanced psychiatric qualifications of physician assistants and to facilitate appropriate insurance 14 reimbursement for behavioral health services provided within their lawful scope of practice 15 SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. ======== LC005400 ======== LC005400 - Page 2 of 3 EXPLANATION BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF A N A C T RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS *** 1 This act would create a Rhode Island specialty license for physician assistants who earn 2 the NCCPA psychiatry CAQ, formally recognizing advanced behavioral health qualifications and 3 supporting appropriate insurance reimbursement. 4 This act would take effect upon passage. ======== LC005400 ======== LC005400 - Page 3 of 3
Every fact on this page links to its source, starting with the official bill record.