A new Alabama law creates rules for multi-state PA employment—and it includes a criminal history requirement that affects hiring decisions.
Most construction and trades business owners don't realize that changes to how physician assistants are licensed across state lines could affect their own hiring and credentialing practices—especially if they employ healthcare workers or contract with occupational health providers.
Alabama's HB156, which establishes an interstate licensure compact for physician assistants, includes a provision that's easy to miss but important to understand: any PA working under the compact privilege must have no felony or misdemeanor convictions on record.
A physician assistant compact allows PAs licensed in one state to practice in another without obtaining a separate license in each state. It's designed to make it easier for healthcare providers to move across state lines and for small practices to hire talent from out of state.
But there's a catch. Under Section 4(a)(3) of HB156 (found on page 6 of the bill), any PA seeking to hold a compact privilege—the credential that lets them practice across state lines—cannot have any felony conviction or misdemeanor conviction. Even one conviction disqualifies them.
For small healthcare practices, occupational health clinics, or any business that employs or contracts with PAs, this creates a clear requirement: before bringing a PA on board under the compact privilege, you need to verify they have no criminal convictions. This applies whether the PA is new to your practice or transferring from another state.
If you run a small healthcare operation or an occupational health clinic that serves construction and trades workers, you likely rely on multi-state hiring flexibility. The compact makes that easier—but only for PAs who meet the criminal history standard.
This affects your hiring decisions, credentialing process, and staffing plans. Before you contract with or employ a PA under compact privileges, you'll need to confirm they meet this requirement. It's not optional; it's a condition of the compact privilege itself.
If a PA has any felony or misdemeanor conviction, they cannot hold compact privileges. They might still be able to practice in Alabama under a standard state license, but they won't have the multi-state flexibility the compact provides.
HB156 becomes effective on October 1, 2026. That gives practices time to understand the new rules before the compact goes into effect, but it's worth getting familiar with the requirement now—especially if you're planning to hire or contract with PAs in the coming months.
The criminal history requirement is in Section 4(a)(3) of the bill. If you employ or work with PAs, it's worth having your HR or legal team review the full text so your credentialing process is ready by the effective date.
For a detailed, business-specific guide to HB156 and other Alabama healthcare licensing changes affecting small employers, contact your local trade association or chamber of commerce.