Several licensing and compliance changes took effect or moved forward in September 2026. The Counseling Compact added states, Wisconsin began issuing Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) licenses, and the federal flexibilities for prescribing controlled substances via telemedicine remain extended through December 31, 2026.
This roundup covers licensure compacts, pending legislation, and board updates that matter to credentialing, licensing, and compliance teams.
Licensure Compacts
Counseling Compact: Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania
Tennessee became the ninth state to begin issuing privileges under the Counseling Compact on Tuesday, September 1, 2026. Oklahoma became the tenth state on Thursday, October 1, 2026.
In Pennsylvania, Governor Josh Shapiro signed legislation on July 12, 2026, enacting the Counseling Compact and making the Commonwealth the 40th member state. The law took effect 60 days after signing. Pennsylvania must still complete implementation and go live in the Compact’s data system before counselors can use privileges there.
Source: Counseling Compact news
Other Legislation
Pennsylvania
Legislation has been introduced to create a universal single-payer health care system that would guarantee health insurance to all Pennsylvania residents.
Source: Pennsylvania HB 2763
Legislation has been introduced to regulate and license medical imaging professionals under the State Board of Medicine. The licensure process would cover radiography, nuclear medicine, diagnostic sonography, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, and radiation therapy.
Source: Pennsylvania HB 2173
Legislation has been introduced to join four multi-state licensure compacts: the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, Dentist and Dental Hygienist, Physician Assistant, and Social Work compacts.
Source: Pennsylvania HB 2774
Board Updates
Alabama
The Alabama Board of Pharmacy has proposed a new rule to formally implement procedures to comply with the federal Military Spouse Licensing Relief Act. If adopted, the rule would establish the qualifications and process by which a military service-connected licensed pharmacy practitioner (a servicemember or servicemember’s spouse) would be granted a pharmacist or pharmacy technician license to practice in Alabama.
Source: Alabama Board of Pharmacy Rule 680-X-2-.51
Minnesota
Effective August 1, 2026, the postgraduate practice requirements for Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs) who qualify for licensure as Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) have been updated. Practice hour requirements were amended, and requirements based on specialty were added.
Source: Minnesota Board of Nursing news, August 21, 2026
North Carolina
The North Carolina Medical Board has issued an update on telemedicine flexibilities for prescribing controlled substances. The flexibilities created during the COVID-19 pandemic have been extended at the federal level through December 31, 2026. Under the current temporary rule, DEA-registered prescribers may continue to prescribe Schedule II-V controlled substances via telemedicine without a prior in-person medical evaluation, provided all other applicable federal and state requirements are met. The extension is intended to avoid disruptions in patient care while the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration works toward permanent telemedicine prescribing regulations.
Source: NCMB Forum newsletter, July-August 2026: Telehealth prescribing of controlled substances
The North Carolina Medical Board also approved the following rule updates, effective August 1, 2026:
- Criteria for Physician Assistant team-based practice, as authorized by legislation HB 67.
- A process for Resident Training Licensees (RTLs) in good standing who meet licensure requirements to convert their RTL license into a full medical license.
- Requirements and a process for internationally trained physicians to obtain an Internationally Trained Physician License (ITPL), as authorized by legislation HB 37.
- Authorization for pharmacists to test for and treat influenza according to Board of Pharmacy protocols.
Source: NCMB Forum newsletter, July-August 2026: Administrative rules
Washington
The Washington State Board of Nursing has opened the application process for nurses whose primary state of residence is Washington to upgrade their state license to a multi-state license.
Source: Washington Board of Nursing weekly bulletin, August 28, 2026
Effective June 30, 2027, the Washington State Board of Nursing will change the credential title of Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners (ARNPs) to Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), in compliance with state legislation HB 2416 (2024). The change does not alter the education, certification, licensure requirements, scope of practice, or authority of advanced practice nurses in Washington.
Source: Washington Board of Nursing: ARNP to APRN title transition
Wisconsin
On September 1, 2026, the Wisconsin Board of Nursing and the Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) began issuing Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) licenses. All existing Advanced Practice Nurse Prescriber (APNP) licenses were converted to APRN licenses on that date. The new APRN license requires one of four designated “Recognized Roles”: Nurse Practitioner, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, Clinical Nurse Specialist, or Certified Nurse Midwife.
Source: Wisconsin DSPS Board of Nursing
Stay Current on Licensure Changes
Verisys provides license verification and monitoring across 56 U.S. jurisdictions and 800+ provider taxonomies, helping teams catch licensure changes between credentialing cycles. Talk to a Verisys expert about keeping license data current.
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.
