Healthcare (Medical Licensing)

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 9, 2026

SSB 3017: A bill for an act relating to the licensure of anesthesiologist assistants, and making penalties applicable.

This bill establishes a licensing requirement for anesthesiologist assistants in Iowa. It requires individuals to complete an accredited education program, pass a certification exam, and obtain a license from the Board of Medicine to practice or use the title "anesthesiologist assistant." The law prohibits unlicensed practice and defines key terms like "supervising anesthesiologist" and "assist" to clarify the scope of work. This directly affects anesthesiologist assistants seeking to legally provide anesthesia care under physician supervision in Iowa.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes licensing standards for anesthesiologist assistants, clarifying scope of practice and ensuring qualified personnel, which strengthens patient safety and medical care standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 12, 2026

HF 2108: A bill for an act relating to discipline for nurses unable to speak English proficiently.

HF 2108 would allow Iowa's Board of Nursing to suspend or revoke a nursing license if a licensed nurse cannot speak English proficiently. This bill directly affects licensed nurses in Iowa who lack sufficient English language skills. The key provision amends licensing rules to add "inability to speak English proficiently" as a grounds for disciplinary action by the nursing board. The bill creates a specific policy change regarding language requirements for nursing licensure without specifying additional requirements or penalties.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareSets language requirement for nurses to ensure patient safety and communication, supporting healthcare quality standards in medical professions.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing

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died · Iowa · Senate Mar 26, 2025

SF 312: A bill for an act enacting the physician assistant licensure compact.

SF 312 would create a physician assistant licensure compact, allowing licensed physician assistants from participating states to practice in Iowa without obtaining a separate license. It requires physician assistants to follow the licensing rules of the state where the patient is located during care, not where they are licensed. The compact also enables military personnel and their spouses to use an existing license from another participating state to practice in Iowa. This bill was introduced in Iowa but was withdrawn on March 26, 2025, after being attached to another bill.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves licensing barriers for physician assistants, enabling cross-state practice and improving healthcare access in Iowa per bill's compact provisions.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly allows military personnel and spouses to practice without separate licensure, facilitating healthcare access for veterans through military-connected providers.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SF 399: A bill for an act relating to the licensure of medical cannabidiol dispensaries.

SF 399 increases Iowa's maximum number of licensed medical cannabidiol dispensaries from five to ten. It removes a requirement that dispensaries must begin operations by December 1, 2018, and specifies that the Iowa Department of Health will accept applications for new or renewed licenses by April 1 each year, with final licensing decisions by December 1. This bill directly affects medical cannabis dispensaries seeking to operate in Iowa and the state department responsible for issuing licenses. The changes simplify the licensing process by expanding capacity and eliminating a specific start-date deadline.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands medical cannabis access by increasing dispensary licenses, improving patient access to healthcare services per bill's intent.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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signed · Iowa · House May 27, 2025

HF 300: A bill for an act enacting the physician assistant licensure compact.

HF 300 creates a multi-state agreement (compact) allowing physician assistants licensed in one participating state to practice in other compact states without needing separate licenses. It directly affects physician assistants seeking to work across state lines and healthcare facilities in participating states. The key provision establishes a standardized licensing process where a license issued by one compact state is recognized by all others in the agreement. This reduces administrative barriers for physician assistants and expands their ability to provide care in multiple states without reapplying for licenses. The bill was signed into law by the Governor on May 27, 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves licensing barriers for physician assistants across states, improving healthcare access and provider mobility without additional requirements.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 29, 2025

SF 103: A bill for an act relating to the adoption of the American medical association’s code of medical ethics by the board of medicine.

SF 103 requires Iowa's Board of Medicine to adopt the most recent version of the American Medical Association's Code of Medical Ethics through formal rules by July 1, 2026. This bill directly affects physicians and medical practitioners in Iowa, as it mandates the state board to formally incorporate the AMA's established ethics standards into its regulations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandating adoption of AMA ethics code strengthens medical practice standards, protecting patient rights and ensuring ethical care under healthcare governance.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 5, 2025

SF 210: A bill for an act relating to the licensing, regulation, and discipline of licensed health professionals.

This Iowa bill (SF 210) requires health licensing boards to check national databases (including child abuse and sex offender registries) before issuing licenses, denying licenses if matches are found. It mandates creation of a public online database tracking disciplinary actions, especially for sexual misconduct, substance use, or medical malpractice. The bill requires immediate license suspension for sexual misconduct or assault allegations and a 10-year waiting period plus treatment for those with founded cases. It directly affects all health professionals (doctors, nurses, etc.) seeking or holding licenses in Iowa by tightening background checks, reporting duties, and disciplinary timelines.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStrengthens healthcare professional oversight via mandatory background checks, public disciplinary database, and immediate suspension for misconduct, protecting patient safety and professional standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 13, 2025

SF 117: A bill for an act relating to the prescribing, ordering, dispensing, and administering authority of pharmacists and practitioners.

This bill (SF 117) protects pharmacists and licensed healthcare practitioners (like doctors, nurses, and dentists) from employer or licensing board restrictions that interfere with their professional judgment when prescribing, dispensing, or administering medications. It prohibits boards or employers from creating rules that deter professionals from using treatments they deem appropriate based on their expertise and scope of practice. Any such restriction - whether in contracts, handbooks, or policies - is declared unenforceable and cannot lead to disciplinary action. The bill ensures professionals using medication decisions within their scope and best judgment cannot face license discipline for those choices.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects pharmacists/practitioners' autonomy in prescribing, enabling treatment decisions based on expertise without restrictive barriers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 17, 2026

HF 409: A bill for an act relating to the licensing of, and granting of clinical privileges to, certain health care professionals.

HF 409 prohibits hospitals and health care licensing boards in Iowa from asking applicants about past mental illness, substance use disorders, or other behavioral health diagnoses on clinical privilege or license applications. It allows questions only about current, untreated conditions that could impair safe, professional practice. The bill directly affects health care professionals applying for hospital clinical privileges or state licenses. It requires the state department to create rules enforcing these changes, focusing on current safety concerns rather than historical health conditions. The bill is currently under review by the House Health and Human Services subcommittee.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits licensing barriers for healthcare professionals with past mental health conditions, protecting access to practice and advancing mental health parity in healthcare workforce regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Medical Licensing

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Mar 4, 2025

SF 467: A bill for an act relating to the licensure of anesthesiologist assistants, and making penalties applicable.

SF 467 establishes licensing requirements for anesthesiologist assistants in Iowa. The bill requires individuals to complete an accredited education program, pass a certification exam, and obtain a license from the Board of Medicine to practice or use the title "anesthesiologist assistant" (including abbreviations "A.A." or "C.A.A."). It defines key terms like "anesthesiologist assistant" and "supervising anesthesiologist," and creates a new section (148K) outlining the board's authority to grant, deny, and renew licenses. This directly affects anesthesiologist assistants seeking to legally practice in Iowa and ensures standardized training and oversight.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes licensing standards for anesthesiologist assistants, ensuring qualified practitioners and patient safety under healthcare professional regulation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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