Five states advanced healthcare licensing and compliance measures in August 2026. Pennsylvania and Virginia moved to join new interstate licensure compacts, Virginia adopted a program for military-trained medical personnel, and Kentucky, New Jersey, and Oregon each advanced board-level rules affecting physicians, physician assistants, and other licensees. Details on each state are below.
Licensure Compacts
Pennsylvania moves to join the Podiatric Medical Licensure Compact
Pennsylvania lawmakers introduced House Bill 2745, legislation that would add the state to the Interstate Podiatric Medical Licensure Compact. Compact legislation typically takes effect once enough states join to meet a participation threshold. Current participation and compact status are tracked on the Interstate Podiatric Medical Licensure Compactwebsite.
Virginia joins the Athletic Trainer Compact
Virginia passed House Bill 574, adding the state to the Athletic Trainer Compact. As with other interstate compacts, the law takes effect once the required number of participating states have joined. Participation status is available on the Athletic Trainer Compact website.
Virginia joins the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact
Virginia also passed House Bill 575, joining the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact. The law becomes effective once the compact reaches its participation threshold. Current state participation is listed on the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact website.
Other Legislation
Virginia creates a pathway for military-trained medical personnel
Virginia passed House Bill 523, directing the Department of Veterans Services to establish a program allowing qualifying military medical personnel to practice in delegated medical roles under supervision. The law applies to veterans discharged under conditions other than dishonorable who have completed the required technical training or certifications. It also creates a work group tasked with recommending how the state recognizes military training, builds pathways to licensure, registration, or certification, and grants academic credit through the Virginia Community College System toward related education requirements.
Board Updates
Kentucky advances SB 116 implementation for physician assistants
Following Senate Bill 116, effective July 15, 2026, the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure has drafted a standardized supervising agreement form for physician assistants. The board plans to notify physicians and physician assistants once the Physician Assistant Advisory Committee approves the form and the board finalizes it. In the meantime, Kentucky has released an updated application for prescriptive authority. Details appear in the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure’s summer newsletter (page 3).
New Jersey proposes stronger investigation protections
The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs proposed rules that would bar licensees from using confidentiality or non-disparagement agreements to prevent victims and witnesses from testifying in board investigations. The proposed rules would also authorize disciplinary action against licensees who obstruct a board’s ability to gather information during an investigation. Public comment remains open through October 16, 2026, according to the division’s August 17, 2026 press release.
Oregon proposes a licensure pathway for internationally trained physicians
The Oregon Medical Board proposed a rule implementing 2025’s Senate Bill 476, which would grant provisional licenses to qualified internationally trained physicians. Under the proposal, provisional licensees would practice under the supervision of an Oregon-licensed physician for four years before becoming eligible to apply for full licensure. Details are available on the Oregon Medical Board’s rules page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a licensure compact?
A licensure compact is an agreement between states that allows a licensed professional to practice across member states without obtaining a separate license in each one. Most compacts take effect once a set number of states have joined and enacted the compact’s model legislation.
How often does Verisys publish compliance updates?
Verisys publishes a healthcare compliance update each month, covering new legislation, board rules, and interstate compacts that affect provider licensing and credentialing.
Tracking Compliance Changes Across States
State licensing requirements change frequently, and a rule or compact that takes months to pass can affect credentialing timelines and provider eligibility as soon as it takes effect. Verisys monitors licensure and disciplinary data across all 56 U.S. jurisdictions, helping healthcare organizations catch these changes as they happen rather than at the next renewal cycle. Learn more about Verisys License Verification and Monitoring.
Disclaimer: This information has been gathered from a variety of sources. Verisys makes every effort to provide complete, accurate, and up-to-date information but makes no warranties, express or implied, regarding its accuracy or reliability. Regulatory information is fluid and evolving, and Verisys assumes no liability for errors or omissions in this resource.
