Virginia Law

A. For the purposes of this section:

"Attestation" means a written certification, signed and stated by a physician licensed by the Board, affirming that the physician assistant completed the equivalent of at least three years of full-time clinical experience in a specific clinical specialty or practice area in collaboration and consultation with the physician, practiced in accordance with applicable standards of care, had on-call experience as applicable, and has the necessary experience to fulfill the duties set forth in subsection F.

"Clinical experience" means the postgraduate delivery of health care directly to patients pursuant to a practice agreement with a patient care team physician.

"Full-time clinical experience" means 1,800 hours per year of clinical experience.

B. A physician assistant who has completed the equivalent of at least three years of full-time clinical experience may practice within the specific clinical specialty or practice area of that experience without a written or electronic practice agreement upon receipt by the physician assistant of an attestation from the patient care team physician or patient care team podiatrist who provided collaboration and consultation to the physician assistant on a patient care team pursuant to subsection A of § 54.1-2952 stating:

1. That the patient care team physician or patient care team podiatrist has served as a patient care team physician or patient care team podiatrist, respectively, on a patient care team with the physician assistant pursuant to a practice agreement meeting the requirements of §§ 54.1-2952 and 54.1-2952.1;

2. That while a party to such practice agreement, the patient care team physician or patient care team podiatrist routinely practiced with a patient population and in a practice area included within the physician assistant's scope of practice; and

3. The period of time for which the patient care team physician or patient care team podiatrist practiced with the physician assistant under such a practice agreement.

C. A copy of the attestation required pursuant to subsection B shall be submitted to the Board together with a fee established by the Board. A physician assistant may submit attestations from more than one patient care team physician with whom the physician assistant practiced during the equivalent of three years of full-time clinical experience required pursuant to subsection B, provided that all attestations are submitted to the Board at the same time. Upon receipt of such attestation or attestations and verification that a physician assistant satisfies the requirements of this section, the Board shall issue to the physician assistant a new license that includes a designation indicating that the physician assistant is authorized to practice without a practice agreement.

D. In the event that a physician assistant is unable to obtain the attestation required by subsection B, the Board may accept other evidence demonstrating that the physician assistant has met the requirements of subsection B in accordance with regulations adopted by the Board.

E. A physician assistant who obtains licensure by endorsement pursuant to § 54.1-2951.1 or who exercises a privilege to practice pursuant to the Physician Assistant Licensure Compact (§ 54.1-2953.1) shall only be authorized to practice without a practice agreement pursuant to the requirements of this section if he submits an attestation to the Board confirming he has completed the equivalent of three years of full-time clinical experience in a specific clinical specialty or practice area as required pursuant to this section. A physician assistant who does not meet the specific requirement of this section for independent practice in the Commonwealth shall remain subject to the practice agreement requirement of § 54.1-2952 regardless of his independent status in another jurisdiction.

F. A physician assistant authorized to practice without a practice agreement pursuant to this section shall:

1. Practice (i) within the scope of the physician assistant's clinical and professional training, (ii) within the limits of the physician assistant's knowledge and experience, and (iii) in a manner consistent with the applicable standards of care;

2. Consult and collaborate with other health care providers based on the clinical conditions of the patient to whom health care is provided; and

3. Establish a plan for referral of complex medical cases and emergencies to physicians or other appropriate health care providers.

2026, c. 418.