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Committee approves physical therapy licensure compact to ease cross-state practice
Summary
House Bill 82 would adopt the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact so licensed physical therapists can obtain multistate practice privileges. The committee advanced the bill after testimony from PT educators, providers, and the Department of Defense on workforce shortages and military-family portability.
House Bill 82, to adopt the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact, cleared the House Health & Human Services Committee following testimony that the compact will reduce licensing lags and increase access to services, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
Stakeholders including practicing physical therapists, educators and the Department of Defense testified that the compact would speed licensure portability for practitioners and military spouses, expand telepractice options and allow quicker cross-state practitioner deployment. Witnesses said neighboring states are already members of the compact and that New Mexico’s adoption would help the state attract and retain providers.
Karen Browning, a longtime physical therapist and educator who helped develop New Mexico’s PTA program, told the committee the state’s licensing board supports the measure and that New Mexico is surrounded by compact member states.
Representative Sena Cortez moved the motion for a due pass and Representative Anaya seconded. The committee voted to advance the bill.
