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Michigan PA Licensure Compact FAQ

Michigan has passed HB 4309, joining the PA Licensure Compact. This is an important step forward for Michigan PAs, healthcare employers, and patients who benefit from improved licensure portability and workforce mobility.

The PA Licensure Compact is a multistate agreement that allows eligible physician associates/assistants (PAs) who hold a qualifying license in one participating state to apply for a compact privilege to practice in other participating compact states, rather than obtaining a separate full license in each state.

Michigan’s legislation has now passed the House and Senate, and the Governor is expected to sign it into law. After enactment, the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) will have 12 months upon the completion of the PA Compact Commission’s data system to implement the compact in Michigan.

Because the operational details of the compact are developed at the national level through the PA Compact Commission, MAPA encourages members to use the official PA Compact website for the most current national guidance, rules, timelines, and FAQs.

Official PA Compact resources


Frequently Asked Questions

1) What is the PA Licensure Compact?

The PA Licensure Compact is an interstate licensure compact for physician associates/ assistants (PAs). It is designed to improve licensure portability, allowing eligible PAs to obtain a compact privilege to practice in other participating compact states without needing to secure a separate full license in every state.

The compact is intended to:

  • Improve access to care for patients
  • Support workforce mobility
  • Help PAs who practice across state lines, including telehealth and certain multi-state practice models
  • Assist military service members and spouses who relocate frequently
  • Maintain public protection through shared standards and coordinated oversight among participating states

2) Does Michigan’s passage of HB 4309 mean I can apply for a compact privilege right now?

No — not yet.

Michigan’s passage of HB 4309 means the state has joined the compact framework, but the compact still must be implemented operationally in Michigan. Under the legislation, once the PA Compact Commission’s data system is completed, LARA has 12 months to implement the compact in the state.

In addition, the PA Compact Commission is responsible for many of the operational decisions at the national level, including rules, systems, and processes that govern compact privileges across participating states.

3) When will compact privileges actually be available?

The current projected timeline from the national PA Compact is that compact privileges are expected to become available in early 2027, though timelines can change as implementation progresses.

MAPA will continue to share updates, but the most current source for timing is the official PA Compact website.

4) What does Michigan’s 12-month implementation period mean?

Michigan’s law gives the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) up to 12 months after completion of the PA Compact Commission data system to implement the PA Compact in Michigan.

That implementation work may include:

  • Administrative and regulatory preparation
  • Coordination with the national compact infrastructure
  • Internal processes related to licensure and compact participation
  • Alignment with the PA Compact Commission’s operational requirements

During this implementation period, Michigan PAs should not assume compact privileges are immediately available.

5) Who decides the rules for the compact?

The compact is governed nationally by the PA Compact Commission. The Commission is responsible for rulemaking, operational oversight, and implementation decisions that affect how the compact works across participating states.

That means key issues such as:

  • eligibility criteria
  • application processes
  • fees
  • data sharing and compliance requirements
  • privilege issuance and oversight

are primarily determined through the national compact structure, not by MAPA.

For that reason, MAPA’s Michigan resource page should be viewed as a state-specific overview, while the official national compact website remains the best source for operational details.

6) Will a compact privilege replace my Michigan PA license?

No, you must still hold a license in a qualifying state to access compact privileges in other states (e.g., your Michigan license can allow you to get a compact privilege in other compact member states).

In general, the compact allows an eligible PA to use a qualifying license from a participating state and then obtain compact privileges in other participating states. The compact does not eliminate the need for a qualifying state license, nor does it replace each state’s authority to regulate practice within that state.

The compact is optional - you may continue to utilize the traditional licensure system, use the compact to apply for privileges to practice, or use a mix of the two.

7) Who will be eligible for a compact privilege?

Eligibility is determined by the terms of the compact and the rules adopted by the PA Compact Commission. MAPA does not set those standards.

For the most up-to-date eligibility requirements, please review the official PA Compact FAQ.

8) How much will a compact privilege cost?

The cost of a compact privilege is not set by MAPA and is determined through the national compact implementation process.  Michigan law does include a $50 fee payable to LARA.

For the latest information on fees and cost, please refer to the official PA Compact FAQ.

9) Will the compact allow Michigan PAs to practice in every state?

No. The compact only applies among participating compact states.

A PA may only seek a compact privilege in states that have enacted the PA Compact and are participating in the operational compact system. The list of participating states will continue to evolve as additional states enact compact legislation and implementation moves forward. You must apply for a compact privilege in each state in which you would like to practice.

For the current map and participating state list, visit: https://www.pacompact.org/

10) Will the compact help with telehealth?

Potentially, yes. One of the major benefits of interstate licensure compacts is improved flexibility for cross-state practice, which may support telehealth models when all compact requirements are met and the PA holds the appropriate compact privilege in the state where the patient is located.

PAs should still follow all applicable state laws, scope requirements, and practice rules in the state where care is being delivered.

11) What does this mean for Michigan employers and health systems?

The compact may create important long-term benefits for Michigan employers, including:

  • easier recruitment of qualified PAs from compact states
  • improved staffing flexibility across state lines
  • better support for regional and specialty coverage models
  • increased access to care in rural and underserved communities
  • improved continuity for telehealth and multistate service delivery

However, those benefits will depend on the pace of implementation and the final operational processes adopted through the compact.

12) What should Michigan PAs do right now?

For now, the most important steps are:

1. Stay informed
MAPA will continue to share Michigan-specific updates as LARA implementation moves forward.

2. Use the official PA Compact website for national updates
The national compact website is the best source for:

  • current timeline updates
  • eligibility criteria
  • Commission rulemaking
  • frequently asked questions
  • participating state information

3. Avoid assuming immediate availability
Although HB 4309 is a major milestone, compact privileges are not automatically active upon passage of the bill.

13) Where should I go for official compact information?

For the most current and authoritative information, please visit the official PA Compact resources:

MAPA’s Role

MAPA strongly supports licensure portability that improves patient access, supports Michigan PAs, and strengthens the healthcare workforce. We will continue to monitor Michigan’s implementation of HB 4309 and share state-specific updates with our members as they become available.

For operational questions about compact privileges, application details, fees, and national rules, members should rely on the official PA Compact website and the PA Compact Commission materials.

7-7-2026