‘Healthcare Workforce Reforms’ bill will impact physician, PA licensure, create new pathways to practice
Gov. Josh Stein recently signed Session Law 2025-37/HB 67, Healthcare Workforce Reforms, into law.
The new law paves the way for new licensure pathways for physicians and PAs and authorizes “team-based practice” for experienced PAs. Most changes authorized by Session Law 2025-37 (SL 2025-37) will not be in effect until 2026.
Provisions that impact licensure and practice requirements include:
- Allowing the state of North Carolina to join both the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact and the Physician Assistant Interstate Licensure Compact, providing a pathway for physicians and PAs licensed in other Compact states to practice in our state. For general information about the IMLC as well as eligibility requirements, click here.
- Creation of a new licensure pathway for internationally trained physicians who have an offer of full-time employment at an NC licensed hospital or a medical practice in certain rural counties where an NC licensed physician is physically practicing on-site. See FAQs here.
- Authorizing “team-based practice” for experienced PAs.
- Setting practice criteria for Clinical Pharmacist Practitioners, including the requirement to practice under the supervision of a licensed physician.
Find detailed summaries of these provisions in NCMB’s summary of SL 2025-37.