Purpose

• To rename the professional title used for licensed physicians who work under this chapter from “physician assistant” to “physician associate” in Minnesota statutes and rules, while keeping all current rights, responsibilities, and scope of practice unchanged.

Main Provisions

• Section 1: Defines “Physician assistant associate” or “licensed physician assistant associate” as the licensed professional meeting the qualifications in statute.
• Section 2: Adds protected titles indicating that individuals may not use certain titles unless they are licensed. The protected forms include combinations like “Minnesota Licensed Physician Associate,” “Licensed Physician Associate,” “Physician Associate,” “Minnesota Licensed Physician Assistant,” “Licensed Physician Assistant,” “Physician Assistant,” and “PA” in connection with their name or insignia.
• Section 3: Adds Subdivision 5 (Title revision):
  • a) A physician assistant must now be titled a physician associate in Minnesota statutes and rules. The terms “physician associate,” “physician assistant,” and “PA” are considered synonymous.
  • b) The title change does not expand the scope of practice for anyone licensed under this chapter.
  • c) Ongoing professional relationships (with hospitals, physicians, malpractice insurers, the federal government, and third-party payors) must continue without interruption or change due to the title change.
  • d) No discrimination may occur against individuals solely because of the title change.
• Section 4: Directs the commissioners of Health and Human Services and the health-related licensing boards to promptly update guidance documents and forms to reflect the title change, and to take any further necessary action to implement it.
• Section 5: Requires the Revisor of Statutes to replace references to “physician assistant” with “physician associate” wherever they appear in statutes and rules, making any necessary grammatical adjustments.

Effects on Licensure and Practice

• Licenses and practice obligations stay the same; only the official title changes from “physician assistant” to “physician associate.”
• The change applies to all licensees and entities; it does not alter who is licensed or what they are allowed to do.
• The change is intended to be seamless for patients, employers, insurers, and other stakeholders, with no disruption to relationships or contracts.

Administrative Implementation

• State agencies and boards must update official documents, forms, and guidance to reflect the new title.
• The Revisor will update statutory and rule language to consistently use “physician associate” and related terms.

Potential Implications

• Practitioners will be referred to as “physician associate” in official contexts, but may continue to be understood as the same professionals previously known as physician assistants.
• Employers and payors must recognize the new title without affecting coverage, contracts, or scope of practice.

Important Notes

• The bill explicitly preserves the existing rights and responsibilities of licensees and does not expand their scope of practice.
• The title change is intended to be a formal naming update across Minnesota statutes and rules, not a change in professional duties.

Relevant Terms

• physician assistant
• physician associate
• PA
• professional title
• Minnesota Statutes 2024
• section 147A.01 subdivision 18
• section 147A.03 subdivision 1
• protected titles
• scope of practice
• licensure
• Minnesota Rules
• guidance documents
• Revisor of Statutes
• conforming amendments
• health and human services
• health-related licensing boards
• indemnity or malpractice insurance carriers
• third-party payors
• hospitals
• physicians
• accountability and nondiscrimination during title transition