Committee approves amendment to allow nurse practitioners and physician assistants to serve as ringside medical professionals

The House Professional Licensure Committee reported House Bill 1161 as amended to expand which medical professionals may serve as the on-site medical professional at professional wrestling competitions and exhibitions.

Committee staff explained the bill, saying it “allows certified registered nurse practitioners to act as the as an on-site medical professional in addition to physicians supervising professional wrestling competitions and exhibitions.” Representative Guzman, who spoke in favor of the bill, said the legislation “modernizes the requirement” and noted that allowing certified registered nurse practitioners (CRNPs) and physician assistants will make it easier for promoters, particularly in smaller or rural communities, to comply with safety rules while maintaining medical oversight.

An amendment offered by Representative Guzman (A01748) added physician assistants to the list of qualifying on-site professionals while retaining CRNPs. The committee agreed to amendment A01748 by voice vote; no negative votes were recorded in the transcript. The committee then reported the bill as amended.

The transcript contains no further recorded debate or roll-call vote for this bill; committee action was by voice and the bill was moved forward for further consideration.