Bill > H67

This bill implements comprehensive healthcare workforce reforms for the state of North Carolina across multiple areas. It establishes an Interstate Medical Licensure Compact to streamline medical licensing across participating states, allowing physicians to more easily obtain medical licenses in multiple states while maintaining patient safety. The bill creates an internationally-trained physician employee license pathway for foreign-trained physicians to practice in rural or hospital settings, with specific requirements for education, experience, and background checks. It reforms regulations for physician assistants by introducing a team-based practice model that allows more independent practice after gaining significant clinical experience. The legislation also expands pharmacists' collaborative practice abilities, allowing them to perform additional healthcare services under physician agreements, and permits pharmacists to order and perform certain CLIA-waived tests like influenza testing. Additionally, the bill includes provisions for surgical smoke evacuation in hospitals and ambulatory surgical facilities, enhances community college behavioral health workforce definitions, and modifies marriage and family therapy licensure reciprocity requirements. The bill aims to address healthcare workforce shortages, improve access to care, and modernize professional practice regulations across various healthcare professions.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs, Health and Social Services, Justice

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/H67