Merski bill to join multistate licensure compact for physician assistants passes House
Rep. Robert Merski November 17, 2025 | 3:34 PM
HARRISBURG, Nov. 17 – With growing demand for flexible health care and expanded telehealth services across Pennsylvania, state Rep. Bob Merski, D-Erie, secured House passage of H.B. 1961, a bipartisan measure that would authorize the Commonwealth to join a multistate licensure compact for physician assistants.
House Bill 1961 would modernize Pennsylvania’s licensure system for physician assistants by streamlining portability for qualifying PAs, reducing redundant licensing applications and wait times, and making it easier for clinicians to practice across state lines and deliver telemedicine services to patients throughout the Commonwealth.
“With H.B. 1961, Pennsylvania can modernize our licensure system to meet the needs of today’s health care environment,” Merski said. “Joining this compact would make it easier for top physician assistants to practice here, broaden telemedicine access, and eliminate bureaucratic hurdles without compromising safeguards.”
Merski added that the compact would also increase the value and marketability of a Pennsylvania PA license. By making licensure more portable, graduates of Pennsylvania’s physician assistant programs would gain broader employment opportunities across multiple states, strengthening recruitment to local training programs and helping retain talent within regional health systems.
The bipartisan measure would align Pennsylvania with an interstate approach already adopted by 18 states, including neighboring jurisdictions, and enhance continuity of care for patients while creating more employment opportunities for physician assistants who wish to practice in multiple states.
The bill now heads to the state Senate for consideration.