Bill > S3729

Introduced Session

This bill amends current law by requiring the Physician Assistant Advisory Committee and State Board of Medical Examiners (the "board") to regulate individuals seeking certification from New Jersey as orthopedic assistants. Under the bill, "orthopedic assistant" is defined as a professional physician extender who has met the criteria set forth by the National Board for Certification of Orthopaedic Physician Assistants ("NBCOPA") to sit for the orthopedic assistance certification examination; passed the certification examination; is approved by the committee for certification; and maintains certification by complying with the rules in accordance with the bylaws of the NBCOPA. The term "orthopedic assistant" can be used interchangeably to refer to individuals certified by the NBCOPA, and subsequently the State, as either orthopedic physician's assistants or orthopedic assistants. An individual certified to practice as an orthopedic assistant may use the initials "OPA-C" or "OA-C." The bill establishes the requirements an individual must meet to qualify for certification, grants the committee and board the authority to approve applications for certification, and prohibits an individual from holding themselves out or performing services as an orthopedic assistant without certification. Additionally, the certification granted under the bill is to be renewed every two years and at each renewal, an individual is to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of the NBCOPA to maintain certification as an orthopedic assistant. An orthopedic assistant is to be supervised by an orthopedic physician licensed in New Jersey. The assistant and physician are to sign a form, as prescribed by the committee, that delineates the services the assistant is to perform and notification of malpractice coverage for the orthopedic assistant. The bill forbids an orthopedic assistant from performing services for which they were not educated, trained and examined. Any update to the delineation of services is to be filed with the committee within 45 days.

Committee Categories

Owen Henry (R)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Commerce Committee (on 10/07/2024)

Official Document