RIAPA Advocacy Milestones

For nearly 50 years, RIAPA has advanced the PA profession in Rhode Island, helping create one of the nation's most progressive practice environments. The following timeline highlights key legislative, regulatory, and professional achievements that have expanded PA practice and improved patient access to care. 

1976

RIAPA is founded as a chartered constituent organization of the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA). That same year, the Rhode Island General Assembly enacts RIGL 5-54, formally authorizing PA practice in Rhode Island. 

1978

The Rhode Island Medical Society accepts PAs as members, recognizing their growing role in healthcare delivery. 

1982

RIGL 5-54 is amended to address technical issues that had impeded PA registration by the Department of Health. 

1988

State law is amended to remove the requirement that a supervising physician be physically present in the facility at all times. 

1991

PAs gain prescriptive authority for all legend medications and Schedule V controlled substances. Restrictions limiting physicians to supervising only two PAs in hospital settings are also removed. 

1995

The definition of supervision is modernized, and the PA credential is changed from registration to licensure. 

1996

Continuing Medical Education (CME) requirements are added for PA licensure. 

1998

PAs are granted authority to prescribe Schedule II-V controlled substances, and standards regarding unprofessional conduct are established in law. 

1999

Restrictions limiting physicians to supervising two PAs are eliminated in all practice settings. PAs are also added to the Professional Corporations Act, allowing them to establish professional corporations and partner with physicians, PAs, and other healthcare professionals. Professional misconduct provisions are further revised to allow non-judicial disciplinary action by the board. 

Historic Achievement

Rhode Island becomes the first state to achieve all six of AAPA's Key Elements of a Modern PA Practice Act, years before the framework was formally defined. 

2003

RIAPA successfully opposes proposed hospital regulations that would have prohibited PAs from administering anesthesia, including local anesthesia, in hospital settings. 

2004

The Radiologic Technology Act is amended to exempt PAs from radiologic technologist licensure requirements, allowing them to perform fluoroscopy within their scope of practice and expertise. 

2005

PA regulations are amended to separate licensure from employment status. 

Later that year, RIAPA successfully opposes legislation that would have granted surgical technologists a scope of practice comparable to that of PAs, excluding only prescriptive authority. 

2008

The Rhode Island Medical Society creates a dedicated PA seat on its Governing Council. 

2011

Legislation is enacted allowing PAs to provide care during emergencies and disasters without traditional supervision requirements, while also providing flexibility for physicians during emergency response situations. 

2019

The PA Modernization Act of 2019 is enacted, bringing sweeping changes to Rhode Island law, including: 

• Transitioning from a supervisory model to a collaborative practice model. 
• Relieving physicians of full responsibility for every act performed by a PA. 
• Eliminating the requirement for a written practice agreement. 
• Clarifying physician liability related to PA practice. 
• Establishing that a PA's scope of practice is determined at the practice level based on education, training, experience, and demonstrated competence. 

2020

When Rhode Island declared a state of emergency due to COVID-19, provisions secured through RIAPA's 2011 advocacy efforts allowed PAs to respond with greater flexibility, helping meet the healthcare needs of Rhode Islanders during the public health crisis. 

2021

RIAPA successfully petitions the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) for regulatory changes authorizing PAs to order home health care services. 

2026 

Rhode Island becomes the 25^th state to join the PA Interstate licensing compact

RIAPA joins with several other healthcare organizations to defeat a proposed bill that would have severely restricted the ability of PAs to provide moderate sedation.

RIAPA successfully lobbied against a Bill that would have required PAs practicing in psychiatry to hold dual licenses as well as a CAQ in psychiatry.

Looking Ahead

RIAPA continues to advocate for legislation and regulatory reforms that strengthen PA practice, expand patient access to care, and advance the profession throughout Rhode Island. Visit our Advocacy & Government Affairs page to learn more about our current initiatives and priorities. 

State Advocacy Center