Bill
AB 170
Creates a new limited license for associate physicians/osteopathic physicians to practice under supervision, with defined supervision, billing, and regulatory rules.
Status (as of 2025-04-12)
- Introduced: January 8, 2025 (prefiled Jan. 31, 2025)
- Passed Assembly: March 20, 2025 (Ayes 53, Noes 17). Sent to Senate.
- Referred in Senate to Rules/Finance/Budget committees at various dates.
- Final procedural note: Pursuant to Joint Standing Rule No. 14.3.1, no further action allowed (4/12/2025).
- Fiscal note (as filed): Effect on State: Yes. Effect on Local Government: No.
- Legislative detail: Certain sections require a two‑thirds legislative vote.
Purpose / Intent
- Establish a new limited licensure category to permit certain medical school graduates to practice medicine or osteopathic medicine under supervision as an “associate physician” or “associate osteopathic physician.” The intent is to expand supervised clinical capacity while defining supervision and scope safeguards.
Key provisions and requirements
- New limited licenses (Sections 2–9 and 14–21):
- Eligibility: Applicants who hold an MD/DO degree from approved schools and who have completed at least one year of postgraduate medical education (intern/resident) as specified.
- Licenses are limited and distinct from full physician/osteopathic physician licenses; holders do not have the same qualifications as fully licensed physicians.
- Supervision and collaborative practice agreements (Sections 3, 15, 6, 18):
- Associate physicians must practice under the supervision and control of a supervising physician/osteopathic physician.
- A written collaborative practice agreement is required; statute prescribes required elements to be included.
- Supervising physician responsibilities include oversight and maintaining malpractice insurance covering the associate’s practice.
- Supervisors may not enter agreements with more than three associate physicians.
- On‑site supervision rules:
- Supervising physician must be on the same premises and available for the first 30 days of supervision.
- In counties with population under 100,000 (statute notes currently all Nevada counties other than Clark and Washoe), the supervising physician (or designee) must be on the same premises and available at all times.
- Credentialing, billing, and public notice:
- Employers must credential and bill for associate physicians’ services in the same manner as physician assistants.
- Supervisors and associates must take measures to notify the public of their status and relationship.
- Controlled substances (Sections 7, 19, 26):
- State Board of Pharmacy may issue registration certificates allowing associate physicians to possess, administer, prescribe, or dispense controlled substances under rules similar to those governing physician assistants. The Board may adopt storage, security, and recordkeeping regulations.
- Licensing mechanics and reporting (Sections 8, 11, 20, 21, 22, 27):
- Statutes provide for license expiration/renewal.
- Supervising physicians must biennially report names of associate physicians they supervise to the relevant board.
- Boards (Board of Medical Examiners and State Board of Osteopathic Medicine) must adopt regulations to implement the program.
- Conforming and definitional changes:
- Amendments to relevant chapters clarify definitions (e.g., “supervising physician,” “associate physician”) and other cross‑references.
Who is affected
- Eligible medical school graduates who have not completed full physician licensure but meet the limited‑license requirements.
- Supervising physicians/osteopathic physicians (liability, supervision limits, insurance).
- Employers of medical providers (credentialing and billing practices).
- Board of Medical Examiners, State Board of Osteopathic Medicine, and State Board of Pharmacy (regulatory and oversight responsibilities).
- Potentially impacts access to supervised medical services in underserved counties.
Potential impacts to consider
- Workforce: Could expand supervised clinical capacity, particularly in underserved or rural areas.
- Supervision burden: Limits on number of supervisees and on‑site supervision requirements may constrain scalability.
- Liability and insurance: Supervisors required to carry malpractice coverage that covers supervisees.
- Regulatory implementation: Boards must adopt implementing regulations and the Pharmacy Board must develop registration rules before controlled‑substance authority is operational.
Notes on documents and jurisdiction
- The bill text uses Nevada statutory format (references to NRS and Nevada counties — Clark and Washoe), and has BDR 54‑840. Some floor document text also references a Budget Act intent; readers should consult the official legislative bill file for the authoritative version and jurisdictional context.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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