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1 Title Change; Physician Associate. Amend the following RSAs by replacing "physician assistant" with "physician associate": 5-C:1, III; 5-C:1, V; 5-C:1, XXIX-a, 5-C:62, I; 5-C:62, II(e); 5-C:62, III(c); 5-C:62, III(e); 5-C:62, IV(d); the introductory paragraph of 5-C:62, V; 5-C:62, V(a); 5-C:62, VI; 5-C:63, I; 5-C:63, IV and V; 5-C:63, VIII; 5-C:64, II and III; 5-C:64, IV(a) through (c); 5-C:64, VI and VII; 5-C:64, XI through XV; 5-C:66, I and II; 5-C:74, I; 5-C:80, III and IV; 5-C:81, II; 5-C:94, II through IV; 5-C:96, I(b); 126-AA:2, III(d)(1) and (3); 126-A:3, III-a(a); 126-A:89, VIII; the introductory paragraph of 126-A:101, I; 126-X:1, VII(a)(3) and (4); the introductory paragraph of 135:21-b; 135:21-b, I; 135-C:2, XII-a; 135-C:36, I(c); 135-C:36, II; 137-J:2, V; 137-J:2, XXI; 137-J:33; 137-L:2, VI and VII; 141-G:2, I; 141-G:8, VIII; 141-G:10, III(a); 141-G:13, I through III; 141-G:19, II(i); 151:12-c, I; 153-A:11, II; the section heading of 153-A:16; 153-A:16, I and II; 167:83, II(q); 170-E:58; 200:32; 200:40-b, I(a)(3); 200-N:1, III(b); 261:88, I(c); 261:88, III; 261:88, V and VI; 290:1; 290:1-a; 313-A:31, II; 318:1, XII-a; 318:42, VII(a) and (c); the introductory paragraph of RSA 318:42, VIII; 318:47-m, I; 318:47-m, III; 318:47-m, VII; the introductory paragraph of RSA 318:52-a; 318:52-c, I; 326-E:1, VII; 326-E:1, X; the introductory paragraph of 326-E:8, I; 328-D:1, I; 328-D:1, II-c; 328-D:1, III; 328-D:2, I through III; the introductory paragraph of 328-D:3, I; 323-D:3-b, I(a) and (b); 328-D:3-b, II(c) and (d); 328-D:3-b, IV; 328-D:3-b, XIII; 328-D:3-b, XVII through XIX; 328-D:10, I(j); 328-D:12; 328-D:14; 328-D:15, I through III; 328-D:16, I and II; 328-D:17, I through III; 329:1-c; 329:1-d, III; the introductory paragraph of 329:1-g; 329:13-b, I; 329:13-b, IV(a); 329:13-b, VI; 332-I:1, II(b); 332-L:2, I; the introductory paragraph of 415:18-a, III(a); 415:18-a, IV(b)(9); 415:18-a, V(j); and 464-A:25; I(a)(2) and (6).
2 Title Change; Physician Associates. Amend the following RSAs by replacing "physician assistants" with "physician associates": 137-J:2, V; 141-F:2, IV-b; 153-A:20, XII; 167:4-d, III(f)(1); 294-A:1, VI; 304-A:2, IX; 310:7, VI; 313-A:25, I; 318:8-a; 318:42, II; 318-B:41, I(a)(1); the chapter heading for 328-D; 328-D:2-a, I through III; 328-D:3, I(a); 328-D:3-b, I(a); the introductory paragraph of 328-D:3-b, VII; 328-D:3-b, VIII through XIII; 328-D:3-b, XV through XVII; 328-D:3-b, XIX and XX; 328-D:17, I; 328-D:18; 329:2, I; 329:3; 329:9; XIV; 329:13-b, V(a); 329:21, XIII; 415:18-a, I(a)(9); 415:18-a, III(a)(9); 415-J:3, XII(a); and 516:29-c, VI(a).
3 Title Change; Physician Associate's. Amend the following RSAs by replacing "physician assistant's" with "physician associate's": the introductory paragraph of 5-C:64, IV; 5-C:64, VI; 5-C:64, XI; 5-C:94, V; the introductory paragraph of 135:21-b; 328-D:1, II-a; 328-D:3-b, I(b); 328-D:3-b, II(a) and (b); 328-D:3-b, XX; 328-D:15, I; and 329:13-b, VI.
4 Title Change; Physician Associates'. Amend the following RSA by replacing "physician assistants'" with "physician associates'": 318:14.
5 Title Change; Physician Associate. Amend the following RSAs by replacing "physician's assistant" with "physician associate": 106-L:6, VII; 214:20-l; 265-A:5, I; the introductory paragraph of 265-A:16; 328-G:9, II(e)(1); 507-C:1, II; 507-E:1, II; 508:18, I; and 623:1, I.
6 Title Change; Physician Associates'. Amend the following RSA by replacing "physician's assistants" with "physician associates'": the introductory paragraph of 326-D:2, V.
7 Title Change; January 1, 2027. Amend the following RSA by replacing "physician assistant" with "physician associate": 328-D:3-b, I.
8 Title Change; January 1, 2027. Amend the following RSA by replacing "physician assistants" with "physician associates": 328-D:3-b, I.
9 Physician Associate; Rulemaking. Amend RSA 328-D:10, I(m) to read as follows:
(m) Continuing medical education ("CME") requirements for those physician assistants that have received their National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants ("NCCPA") certification, but have chosen not to maintain their certification.
10 New Section; Physician Associates; Applicability of Name Change. Amend RSA 328:D by inserting after section 18 the following new section:
328-D:19 Effect of Name Change From Physician Assistant to Physician Associate.
I. As of the effective date of this section, the title of "physician assistant" in New Hampshire is changed to "physician associate." This change is not intended to change any rights or privileges of those who have been or continue to hold themselves out to be a "physician assistant" and anywhere in the law that says, "physician associate" shall also mean "physician assistant."
II. This name change shall not alter, affect, or impact any billing, reimbursement, or payment policies currently in place for physician assistants. All billing practices, insurance reimbursement policies, and agreements that apply to physician assistants shall continue to apply in the same manner to physician associates. No insurer shall deny reimbursement for services rendered by a physician associate solely as a result of this name change.
III. No regulatory changes shall be made solely as a result of this name change that would modify the scope of practice or any other professional obligations currently applicable to physician assistants.
11 Physician Associates; Penalty. Amend RSA 328-D:13 to read as follows:
328-D:13 Penalty.
I. Any person who, not being licensed or otherwise authorized according to the law of this state, shall advertise oneself or hold oneself out as a physician assistant,or any person who does such act after receiving notice that such person's license has been revoked, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
II. Any person who shall practice or attempt to practice as a physician assistant in this state without a license shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor if a natural person or guilty of a felony if any other person.
12 Effective Date.
I. Sections 7 and 8 of this act shall take effect January 1, 2027.
II. The remainder of this act shall take effect upon its passage.
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1 Title Change; Physician Associate. Amend the following RSAs by replacing "physician assistant" with "physician associate": 5-C:1, III; 5-C:1, V; 5-C:1, XXIX-a, 5-C:62, I; 5-C:62, II(e); 5-C:62, III(c); 5-C:62, III(e); 5-C:62, IV(d); the introductory paragraph of 5-C:62, V; 5-C:62, V(a); 5-C:62, VI; 5-C:63, I; 5-C:63, IV and V; 5-C:63, VIII; 5-C:64, II and III; 5-C:64, IV(a) through (c); 5-C:64, VI and VII; 5-C:64, XI through XV; 5-C:66, I and II; 5-C:74, I; 5-C:80, III and IV; 5-C:81, II; 5-C:94, II through IV; 5-C:96, I(b); 126-AA:2, III(d)(1) and (3); 126-A:3, III-a(a); 126-A:89, VIII; the introductory paragraph of 126-A:101, I; 126-X:1, VII(a)(3) and (4); the introductory paragraph of 135:21-b; 135:21-b, I; 135-C:2, XII-a; 135-C:36, I(c); 135-C:36, II; 137-J:2, V; 137-J:2, XXI; 137-J:33; 137-L:2, VI and VII; 141-G:2, I; 141-G:8, VIII; 141-G:10, III(a); 141-G:13, I through III; 141-G:19, II(i); 151:12-c, I; 153-A:11, II; the section heading of 153-A:16; 153-A:16, I and II; 167:83, II(q); 170-E:58; 200:32; 200:40-b, I(a)(3); 200-N:1, III(b); 261:88, I(c); 261:88, III; 261:88, V and VI; 290:1; 290:1-a; 313-A:31, II; 318:1, XII-a; 318:42, VII(a) and (c); the introductory paragraph of RSA 318:42, VIII; 318:47-m, I; 318:47-m, III; 318:47-m, VII; the introductory paragraph of RSA 318:52-a; 318:52-c, I; 326-E:1, VII; 326-E:1, X; the introductory paragraph of 326-E:8, I; 328-D:1, I; 328-D:1, II-c; 328-D:1, III; 328-D:2, I through III; the introductory paragraph of 328-D:3, I; 323-D:3-b, I(a) and (b); 328-D:3-b, II(c) and (d); 328-D:3-b, IV; 328-D:3-b, XIII; 328-D:3-b, XVII through XIX; 328-D:10, I(j); 328-D:12; 328-D:14; 328-D:15, I through III; 328-D:16, I and II; 328-D:17, I through III; 329:1-c; 329:1-d, III; the introductory paragraph of 329:1-g; 329:13-b, I; 329:13-b, IV(a); 329:13-b, VI; 332-I:1, II(b); 332-L:2, I; the introductory paragraph of 415:18-a, III(a); 415:18-a, IV(b)(9); 415:18-a, V(j); and 464-A:25; I(a)(2) and (6).
2 Title Change; Physician Associates. Amend the following RSAs by replacing "physician assistants" with "physician associates": 137-J:2, V; 141-F:2, IV-b; 153-A:20, XII; 167:4-d, III(f)(1); 294-A:1, VI; 304-A:2, IX; 310:7, VI; 313-A:25, I; 318:8-a; 318:42, II; 318-B:41, I(a)(1); the chapter heading for 328-D; 328-D:2-a, I through III; 328-D:3, I(a); 328-D:3-b, I(a); the introductory paragraph of 328-D:3-b, VII; 328-D:3-b, VIII through XIII; 328-D:3-b, XV through XVII; 328-D:3-b, XIX and XX; 328-D:17, I; 328-D:18; 329:2, I; 329:3; 329:9; XIV; 329:13-b, V(a); 329:21, XIII; 415:18-a, I(a)(9); 415:18-a, III(a)(9); 415-J:3, XII(a); and 516:29-c, VI(a).
3 Title Change; Physician Associate's. Amend the following RSAs by replacing "physician assistant's" with "physician associate's": the introductory paragraph of 5-C:64, IV; 5-C:64, VI; 5-C:64, XI; 5-C:94, V; the introductory paragraph of 135:21-b; 328-D:1, II-a; 328-D:3-b, I(b); 328-D:3-b, II(a) and (b); 328-D:3-b, XX; 328-D:15, I; and 329:13-b, VI.
4 Title Change; Physician Associates'. Amend the following RSA by replacing "physician assistants'" with "physician associates'": 318:14.
5 Title Change; Physician Associate. Amend the following RSAs by replacing "physician's assistant" with "physician associate": 106-L:6, VII; 214:20-l; 265-A:5, I; the introductory paragraph of 265-A:16; 328-G:9, II(e)(1); 507-C:1, II; 507-E:1, II; 508:18, I; and 623:1, I.
6 Title Change; Physician Associates'. Amend the following RSA by replacing "physician's assistants" with "physician associates'": the introductory paragraph of 326-D:2, V.
7 Title Change; January 1, 2027. Amend the following RSA by replacing "physician assistant" with "physician associate": 328-D:3-b, I.
8 Title Change; January 1, 2027. Amend the following RSA by replacing "physician assistants" with "physician associates": 328-D:3-b, I.
9 Physician Associate; Rulemaking. Amend RSA 328-D:10, I(m) to read as follows:
(m) Continuing medical education ("CME") requirements for those physician associates that have received their National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants ("NCCPA") certification, but have chosen not to maintain their certification.
10 New Section; Physician Associates; Applicability of Name Change. Amend RSA 328:D by inserting after section 18 the following new section:
328-D:19 Effect of Name Change From Physician Assistant to Physician Associate.
I. As of the effective date of this section, the title of "physician assistant" in New Hampshire is changed to "physician associate." This change is not intended to change any rights or privileges of those who have been or continue to hold themselves out to be a "physician assistant" and anywhere in the law that says, "physician associate" shall also mean "physician assistant."
II. This name change shall not alter, affect, or impact any billing, reimbursement, or payment policies currently in place for physician assistants. All billing practices, insurance reimbursement policies, and agreements that apply to physician assistants shall continue to apply in the same manner to physician associates. No insurer shall deny reimbursement for services rendered by a physician associate solely as a result of this name change.
III. No regulatory changes shall be made solely as a result of this name change that would modify the scope of practice or any other professional obligations currently applicable to physician assistants.
11 Physician Associates; Penalty. Amend RSA 328-D:13 to read as follows:
328-D:13 Penalty.
I. *Any person who, not being licensed or otherwise authorized according to the law of this state, shall advertise oneself or hold oneself out as a physician assistant,* physician associate, or PA, or any person who does such act after receiving notice that such person's license has been revoked, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
II. Any person who shall practice or attempt to practice as a physician assistant , physician associate, or PA in this state without a license shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor if a natural person or guilty of a felony if any other person.
12 Effective Date.
I. Sections 7 and 8 of this act shall take effect January 1, 2027.
II. The remainder of this act shall take effect upon its passage.