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Committee approves PA licensure rule but removes explicit NCCPA reference after DEI debate
Summary
The committee approved pending rules for physician-assistant licensure but removed a line listing the NCCPA as the certifying body after senators raised concerns about diversity, equity and inclusion references on the organization's website.
The Idaho Senate Health and Welfare Committee approved pending rules for physician-assistant licensure (docket 24-3302-2401) but removed a provision that listed the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) by name after a contentious exchange about the certifying body's public statements.
Nikki Chopsky, bureau chief of health professions for the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses and executive officer for the Idaho Board of Medicine, presented the PA advisory committee’s recommendations. She said the division and board held five public meetings, two negotiated-rulemaking hearings and one public hearing and that the Idaho Academy of Physician Assistants and the Idaho Medical Association participated in the process.
The rule package removed redundancy with statute and clarified licensure, scope of practice and continuing-education requirements. Chopsky told the committee the board added language related to "the acceptable examination as required by statute," and that the intent was to list the exam used for PA certification.
Senator Lenny asked that language listing the NCCPA be struck, saying he had reviewed the NCCPA website and found material related to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) he found objectionable. "I find this unnecessary," Lenny said, urging the committee to remove the organizational reference while keeping the requirement that PAs take the statutory exam.
Senator Wintrow moved a substitute motion to approve the docket without removing the NCCPA reference; that substitute motion failed on a roll-call vote (six nays, three ayes). The original motion — to approve the docket while striking rule 100.01 (the line naming NCCPA) — then carried on a voice vote. Committee members and staff noted that the exam itself is required by statute and that PAs have been taking it regardless of whether the organization is named in rule.
Why it matters: the change preserves the statutory requirement that physician assistants pass the accepted certification exam while removing an explicit organizational reference that drew political objections in committee. The decision affects how licensure rules identify certification mechanisms for PAs in Idaho.
What the record shows: Chopsky said the board intended to “get the name of the exam in the rules.” She also told senators that the NCCPA and the certifying exam had been used historically even if not previously spelled out in rule. Senator Lenny emphasized the political concern that prompted his motion; Senator Wintrow argued the exam requirement should be documented in rule and that debate about outside organizations’ public materials was not relevant to the certification requirement.
Ending: The committee approved the pending PA licensure chapter with the NCCPA organizational reference removed and directed the board and division to proceed with the finalized rule language.
