S.2859

Creates a Rhode Island specialty license for physician assistants who earn the NCCPA psychiatry CAQ, formally recognizing advanced behavioral health qualifications and supporting appropriate insurance reimbursement.

Introduced·3/4/26
Introduced Text

Rhode Island S2859 creates a specialty license for physician assistants with advanced psychiatry qualifications, recognizing their expertise and.

Rhode Island S2859 establishes a specialty license for physician assistants who have earned the psychiatry Certificate of Added Qualifications (CAQ) from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). This specialty license, titled "physician assistant - behavioral health," recognizes advanced qualifications in psychiatry and mental health. Eligible applicants must hold a current PA-C designation, complete required continuing medical education credits and clinical experience hours in psychiatry, and pass the NCCPA psychiatry specialty examination.

Included in complete analysis

  • Overview
  • Core Provisions
  • Implementation
  • Impact
  • Legal Framework
  • Critical Issues

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Where it stands

Current
Health and Human Services Committee
Next
Session adjourned — paused until it reconvenes

Sponsors

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10
0
Democratic CaucusRepublican Caucus

Roll Call Votes

Senate Committee on Health & Human Services: Be held for further study

6 Yea

DRDDDD

0 Nay

2 Absent

DD

Calendar

Mar 31

12:00 AM

Senate Health and Human Services Hearing

History

Mar 31

Senate

Committee recommended measure be held for further study

Mar 27

Senate

Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (03/31/2026)

Mar 4

Senate

Introduced, referred to Senate Health and Human Services