1. (a)

   1. (1) The board, subject to the rules adopted by the board, may issue a temporary license to an assistant to physician applicant who is relocated to or stationed in this state under official military orders and who satisfies any of the following:

      1. a. Is an active duty, reserve, or transitioning member of a branch of the United States Armed Forces, including the National Guard.
      2. b. Is the spouse of an active duty, reserve, or transitioning member of a branch of the United States Armed Forces, including the National Guard.
      3. c. Is the surviving spouse of a service member who, at the time of his or her death, was serving on active duty.
   2. (2) For the purposes of this section, a transitioning service member is a member of the United States Armed Forces, including the National Guard, on active duty status or on separation leave who is within 24 months of retirement or 12 months of separation.

2. (b) An assistant to physician may receive a temporary license issued under subsection (a) if he or she satisfies the requirements of subsection (a), to the satisfaction of the board, and presents evidence satisfactory to the board of all of the following:

   1. (1) Possession of a full and unrestricted license to practice as an assistant to physician issued by the appropriate licensing board of another state, the District of Columbia, a territory of the United States, or a province of Canada.
   2. (2) Completion of a training program accredited by the Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation (CAHEA), the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA), or the Accreditation Review Committee for the Anesthesiologist Assistant (ARC-AA), or their successor agencies.
   3. (3) Completion of the Physician Assistant National Certification Examination (PANCE) as administrated by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) or the National Certifying Examination for Anesthesiologist Assistants (NCEAA) as administered by the National Commission for Certification of Anesthesiologist Assistants (NCCAA).
   4. (4) Has never been convicted, received adjudication, community supervision, or deferred disposition of any felony offense or any crime related to fraud, violence, sexual violations, or related to health care.
   5. (5) Has never had his or her license to practice as an assistant to physician subjected to discipline by a licensing agency in any state, federal, or foreign jurisdiction, excluding any action related to the nonpayment of fees related to a license.
   6. (6) Has never had a controlled substance license or permit suspended or revoked by a state or the United States Drug Enforcement Administration.
   7. (7) Is not currently under investigation by a licensing agency or law enforcement authority in any state, federal, or foreign jurisdiction.
   8. (8) Is a United States citizen, a national of the United States, or an alien lawfully present in the United States.

3. (c) An assistant to physician who is issued a temporary license under this section shall apply for a license to practice as an assistant to physician pursuant to Section 34-24-297 within 12 months after the issuance of a temporary license.

   1. (1) A temporary license issued under subsection (a) shall expire 12 months after the date of issuance if an application for a license to practice as an assistant to physician pursuant to Section 34-24-297 is not received by the board.
   2. (2) An assistant to physician who applies for a license pursuant to Section 34-24-297 and the rules adopted by the board within 12 months after issuance of a temporary license may practice as an assistant to physician under a license issued by the board under this section until such time as the application is acted upon by the board.
4. (d) The board may adopt rules to implement this section and to permit the expedited processing of applications for a temporary license to practice as an assistant to physician.
5. (e) A temporary license shall clearly indicate that it is a temporary license for military service members or their spouses.
6. (f) Any assistant to physician issued a temporary license under this section shall be subject to having his or her license suspended or revoked by the board for the same causes or reasons, and in the same manner, as provided by law for other assistants to physicians licensed pursuant to this chapter.

(Act 2021-100, §2.)