Sen. Hollo files bill establishing PA licensure compact in North Carolina Senate

A new bill filed by State Sen. Mark Hollo seeks to establish a compact allowing physician assistants to practice across participating states while ensuring patient safety and regulatory oversight, according to the North Carolina State Senate.

The bill, filed as SB 190 on Feb. 26 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Physician Assistant Licensure Compact.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill establishes the PA Licensure Compact, allowing physician assistants (PAs) to practice across participating states with a qualifying license, while maintaining patient safety through mutual recognition and jurisdiction of state licensing boards. The compact enhances license portability, reduces administrative burdens for military families, and adopts PA licensure standards where practice is dictated by the state where the patient is located. States in the compact must license PAs, participate in a centralized data system, conduct criminal background checks, and facilitate complaint investigations. The compact commission will oversee implementation, promote consistent rules, and manage adverse actions, while allowing states to charge fees for compact privileges. The act is effective Oct. 1, 2025.

Of the three sponsors of this bill, Ralph Hise proposed the most bills (13) during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Hollo graduated from Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville in 1980 with a BS.

Hollo, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2025 to represent the state’s 45th Senate district, replacing previous state senator H. Dean Proctor.