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Senators debate listing of PA certification body in rule; substitute to remove organization fails, original approval passes
Summary
Committee members debated whether to list the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) in physician assistant rules. A motion to strike the specific organizational reference failed 6–3 on a roll call; the committee then approved the pending PA rule chapter as presented.
The Senate Health and Welfare Committee debated whether to name the certifying organization for physician assistants in rule, a dispute that prompted a roll-call vote and a subsequent voice vote approving the pending PA rule chapter.
Nikki Chopsky presented docket 24-3302-2401 (physician assistant licensure rules) and said the division and board conducted five open public meetings, two negotiated-rulemaking sessions and one public hearing; she told the committee the Idaho Academy of Physician Assistants and the Idaho Medical Association participated. "The division and board held 5 open public meetings, 2 negotiated rule making hearings, and 1 public hearing," Chopsky said.
Senator Lenny moved to approve the pending docket while striking a new line (100.01) that included the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) as the acceptable examination body. He said he objected to including the organization’s name because of concerns about content on the NCCPA website and broader views on diversity, equity and inclusion. "I find this troubling that it's included," Lenny said, criticizing the organizational reference.
Chopsky replied that the committee's and board’s intent was to list the exam itself and that the change responded to a statutory expectation to name the acceptable examination. "So the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants is the certifying body for the PA program," she said, noting the board's effort was to identify the exam in rule. Senator Wintrow argued the exam requirement is an important licensure safeguard and urged the committee to approve the pending rules so PAs continue to be certified consistently.
The substitute motion to strike the organizational reference (100.01) was put to a roll call and failed, recorded in the transcript as 6 nays and 3 ayes. The committee then approved the original motion to adopt the pending PA rule chapter on a voice vote.
What this means: The committee left the pending PA rule language as presented (which identifies the acceptable examination and lists the certifying body in the redline); a late substitute to remove the organizational reference did not carry.
Votes at a glance
- Substitute motion to approve docket 24-3302-2401 while striking 100.01 (removing the NCCPA reference): moved by Senator Lenny; result: roll call vote failed (6 nays, 3 ayes).
- Original motion to approve docket 24-3302-2401 (pending PA rule chapter): voice vote; outcome: approved.
Key context
- Docket number: 24-3302-2401 (IDAPA 24.33.02, rules for licensure of physician assistants). - Legal context: Chopsky said statute requires listing the acceptable examination in rule and the board sought to fill that gap.
Sources: Committee transcript; presentations and debate by Nikki Chopsky, Senator Lenny and Senator Wintrow.
