Proposed Changes to Physician Assistant Supervision Rules

The Frame

What this does

If enacted, this change would allow PAs to independently admit, manage, and discharge patients in healthcare facilities and perform certain medical certifications, shifting the legal responsibility for these actions from supervising physicians to the individual PAs.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Physician Assistants

They gain the option to register for independent practice, which requires meeting new experience, insurance, and disclosure obligations.

Patients

They will receive written notice if their PA is practicing without physician supervision and will be treated by PAs who have met new independent practice standards.

Supervising Physicians

Their legal oversight role is modified for PAs who choose to register for independent practice.

What changed

Last recorded activity March 13, 2026.

What's next

Introduced.

Summary

This bill would allow qualified physician assistants (PAs) in Florida to practice without direct physician supervision. To qualify, PAs would need to meet specific experience and disciplinary history requirements, maintain professional liability insurance, and provide written notice to patients.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Why It Matters

If enacted, this change would allow PAs to independently admit, manage, and discharge patients in healthcare facilities and perform certain medical certifications, shifting the legal responsibility for these actions from supervising physicians to the individual PAs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will all physician assistants be allowed to practice without supervision?

No. Only those who register with the Council on Physician Assistants and meet specific criteria, including 3,000 hours of clinical experience and a clean disciplinary record, are eligible.

What happens if a PA decides to stop practicing independently?

They must notify the department and are no longer required to maintain the specific professional liability coverage mandated for independent practice.

Can an independent PA perform surgery?

They may perform minor procedures, but they are strictly prohibited from performing any surgery that goes deeper than the .