Tennessee PAs Achieve Collaboration

May 17, 2018

Tennessee PAs are celebrating the enactment of SB 1515  (companion bill HB 2239) which was signed by Gov. Bill Haslam on April 2. The legislation changes the terminology used to describe the manner in which PAs and physicians practice together from “supervision” to “collaboration.” The legislation was supported by the Tennessee Academy of PAs (TAPA) to modernize the state’s PA practice act by using a term that more accurately and best describes PA-physician team practice and to maintain parity in the job market for PAs and NPs (the terminology was changed for NPs last year).

With the enactment of this bill, six states now use a term other than “supervision” to describe how PAs and physicians work together. The legislation becomes effective July 1, 2018.

For more information on SB 1515 or PA practice in Tennessee, contact Stephanie Radix, senior director, constituent organization outreach and advocacy.