Committee hears bill to join physical therapy licensure compact; supporters cite access for veterans and rural patients

Assemblymember Elaine Marzola, sponsor of Assembly Bill 248, told the Senate committee that the bill would ratify Nevada’s entry into the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact, a multistate agreement that allows eligible physical therapists and physical therapist assistants to obtain a "compact privilege" to practice in member states without a separate state license process.

"By enacting the physical therapy licensure compact, AB248 will bring high quality PTs and PTAs to Nevada," Marzola said, adding that the compact preserves state licensure while creating a faster pathway for practice across member states.

Jeff Rosa, compact administrator for the Physical Therapy Compact Commission, said the commission has 38 member states plus the District of Columbia and that compact privileges can be purchased for specific remote states; the compact has been used to accelerate cross-state practice for telehealth, travel therapists and military families.

Kelli Mae Douglas of the Department of Defense said compacts ease relicensing burdens on military spouses who move frequently: "These policies facilitate greater career sustainability for military spouses, improving their family's financial security and overall resilience." Supporters including the American Physical Therapy Association, university programs and clinics from across Nevada spoke in favor, saying the compact will expand provider options, reduce wait times and support a planned doctor of physical therapy program at the University of Nevada.

Questions from senators addressed scope: a compact privilege is available nationwide among active compact states; member states are represented on the compact commission and Nevada would send a delegate from its physical therapy board. Jeff Rosa said the compact has been in operation for nearly a decade, is low-cost (compact privilege fees support commission operations) and has not required annual assessments of member boards to date.

No opposition testimony was recorded. Several callers and in-person witnesses representing Nevada schools, clinics and the APTA Nevada chapter testified in support. The committee closed the hearing; the bill was not voted on in this hearing. If enacted, the compact would become an alternate pathway to practice and is already active in most states.

Why it matters: Sponsors and stakeholders said the compact will improve access to physical therapy in rural and underserved areas of Nevada, assist military families and offer a faster regulatory pathway for providers.

What's next: The committee closed the hearing on AB248; the bill may be scheduled for subsequent committee action and a floor vote if advanced.