Healthcare (Medical Licensing)

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SB 2436: Insurance, Health, Accident - As introduced, requires a health insurance entity to approve a healthcare provider's completed credentialing application within two weeks of receipt when the healthcare provider is credentialed by the health insurance entity and relocates to a new practice group or facility that is also credentialed by the same health insurance entity. - Amends TCA Title 56, Chapter 7.

SB 2436 requires Tennessee health insurance companies to approve a healthcare provider’s credentialing application within two weeks when the provider relocates to a new practice group or facility that is already credentialed by the same insurer. This applies specifically to providers who were previously approved at their prior location and move to a new location within the insurer’s network. The bill creates a new rule (Section 56-7-1001(j)) that shortens the approval timeline for these specific relocation cases. It directly affects healthcare providers seeking to change practice locations within the same insurer’s network and the insurers themselves. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, for applications submitted on or after that date.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires insurers to approve provider credentialing within 2 weeks for internal relocations, improving patient access to care without delays.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medical Licensing

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 2579: Dieticians and Nutritionists - As enacted, enacts the "Dietetics and Nutrition Practice Act." - Amends TCA Title 4 and Title 63.

SB 2579, the "Dietetics and Nutrition Practice Act," establishes new licensure requirements for dietitians and nutritionists in Tennessee, replacing current standards. It defines key terms like "medical nutrition therapy" (for treating health conditions) versus "general non-medical nutrition information," and creates distinctions between "complex" (high-acuity medical cases) and "non-complex" care. The bill expands the governing board from five to nine members and sets minimum education and competency standards for licensed practitioners. This directly affects dietitians, nutritionists, and the public seeking these services, clarifying who can provide medical nutrition care versus general dietary advice.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes clearer licensure standards for dietitians/nutritionists, defines medical vs. non-medical services, and expands oversight to ensure qualified care for patients.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 17, 2026

SB 2307: Hospitals and Health Care Facilities - As introduced, enacts the "The Frank J. Lake III Act"; requires a long-term care ombudsman for an assisted-care living facility to notify all residents of such facility if the facility contacts the ombudsman; directs the health facilities commission to post a certain specified notice on the commission's website if an assisted-care living facility is placed on probation; makes other related changes. - Amends TCA Title 68, Chapter 11.

SB 2307, known as "The Frank J. Lake III Act," requires assisted-care living facilities in Tennessee to notify all residents or their representatives if the facility contacts the long-term care ombudsman. It also mandates the state health facilities commission to post a specific notice on its website when a facility is placed on probation or if disciplinary action is pending, clarifying that the notice does not admit any deficiency. Additionally, facilities must provide residents with a website link showing their current licensure status and any history of disciplinary actions before admission or contract signing. These provisions aim to increase transparency about facility oversight for residents and their families.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires facilities to notify residents of ombudsman contact and post probation notices, enhancing transparency and resident rights in care facilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Medical Licensing

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 17, 2026

SB 2243: Medical Occupations - As introduced, reduces from 45 to 35 days, the amount of time the board of physician assistants has to either render a decision on a licensure application submitted by an individual licensed, registered, or certified as a physician assistant in another jurisdiction or inform the licensure applicant from another jurisdiction of the need to appear before the board. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 7; Title 24; Title 33; Title 38; Title 49; Title 53; Title 55; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68; Title 71 and Chapter 1042 of the Public Acts of 2024.

SB 2243 shortens the timeframe for Tennessee's Board of Physician Assistants to review licensure applications from out-of-state applicants. It reduces the decision period from 45 to 35 days for applicants already licensed in another state. This change directly affects physician assistants seeking to practice in Tennessee who hold credentials from other jurisdictions. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, applying to applications submitted on or after that date.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareShortens licensure review time for out-of-state physician assistants, improving healthcare access and provider availability by reducing administrative delays.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 18, 2026

SB 2366: Physicians and Surgeons - As enacted, requires the board of medical examiners to issue a provisional foreign training license of two years, which may be extended for an additional one year, to an internationally trained physician who has successfully completed the examination described in current law upon finding sufficient evidence that the internationally trained physician has met certain listed criteria; makes related changes. - Amends TCA Title 63.

SB 2366 creates a two-year provisional license for internationally trained physicians in Tennessee who pass U.S. medical licensing exams and meet specific criteria, including proof of medical education, postgraduate training, legal presence in the U.S., and good moral character. To qualify, applicants must secure employment at approved facilities like federally qualified health centers, rural clinics, or accredited training programs, and pay a $300 fee. During the provisional period, physicians can only work at these designated employers under supervision, and after two years of satisfactory practice, they may earn full licensure by passing all U.S. medical exams. The bill requires the medical board to track data on this pathway to assess its effectiveness.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates pathway for internationally trained physicians to work in underserved areas (rural clinics, FQHCs), increasing healthcare access and provider availability in critical communities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SB 2345: Boards and Commissions - As introduced, creates a rebuttable presumption that a license or renewal should be denied by the board of nursing if the applicant or licensee has a conviction for certain alcohol-related offenses that involved injury to another person. - Amends TCA Title 63.

SB 2345 creates a rebuttable presumption that the Tennessee Board of Nursing must deny a nursing license application or refuse to renew a license for applicants or licensees convicted within the last five years of specific alcohol-related offenses causing injury to others. These offenses include DUI (with blood alcohol at least twice the legal limit), vehicular assault, or similar crimes where injury occurred. The board may override this presumption only by providing written justification for approval or renewal. This bill directly affects nursing professionals seeking initial licensure or renewal who have recent convictions meeting these criteria. The law applies specifically to nursing licensure under Title 63 of Tennessee law.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRestricts nursing licenses for alcohol-related offenses involving injury, limiting healthcare professional access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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in committee · Tennessee · House May 5, 2026

HB 2562: Boards and Commissions - As enacted, requires at least one hour of the board of medical examiners' required continuing education hours to be completed on topics related to nutrition; requires the same of the board of osteopathic examination. - Amends TCA Title 63, Chapter 6 and Title 63, Chapter 9.

HB 2562 requires medical and osteopathic license holders in Tennessee to complete at least one hour of annual continuing education on nutrition topics. This applies to all physicians licensed under the Board of Medical Examiners (Title 63, Chapter 6) and osteopathic physicians licensed under the Board of Osteopathic Examination (Title 63, Chapter 9). The bill amends existing education requirements to mandate this specific nutrition focus, replacing previous general education rules. The change would take effect on January 1, 2028, pending legislative approval.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates nutrition education for medical license holders, enhancing provider knowledge on a key health topic per amended education requirements.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 23, 2026

SB 2548: Medical Occupations - As enacted, allows a physician assistant to delegate medication administration to a certified medical assistant; adds categories of medications to the list of medications that a certified medical assistant is authorized to administer or prepare, and makes other related changes. - Amends TCA Title 63; Title 68, Chapter 11, Part 2 and Chapter 1042 of the Public Acts of 2024.

SB 2548 allows physician assistants (PAs) to delegate medication administration to certified medical assistants (CMAs) under specific conditions. It expands the list of medications CMAs can administer - including vaccines, topical treatments, oral medications, and certain injectables like transdermal anesthetics - while requiring clinics to verify CMA competency for these tasks. The bill mandates that PAs must collaborate with a physician, follow approved protocols, and cannot delegate tasks requiring clinical judgment (e.g., adjusting patient care plans). This directly affects PAs, CMAs, and ambulatory clinics in Tennessee, updating their scope of practice under state law.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands CMA scope to administer vaccines, oral/topical meds under PA supervision, boosting patient access to care without additional physician visits.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing

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in committee · Tennessee · House May 5, 2026

HB 1952: Optometry - As enacted, redefines the practice of optometry. - Amends TCA Title 63, Chapter 8.

HB 1952 expands the scope of practice for Tennessee optometrists by allowing them to perform certain surgical procedures for eye conditions, subject to board approval and specific training. The bill permits optometrists to conduct minor surgeries like eyelid lesion removals, abscess drainage, or simple laceration repairs (e.g., excising small non-cancerous growths or repairing small eyelid cuts), but explicitly prohibits procedures such as cataract surgery, LASIK, corneal transplants, or retina operations. It requires optometrists using local anesthetics for these procedures to meet board certification standards and provide proof of training. This change directly affects licensed optometrists in Tennessee, enabling them to provide more comprehensive primary eye care within defined limits.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands optometrists' scope to perform minor eye surgeries, improving patient access to eye care services without requiring ophthalmologist referrals for minor procedures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 27, 2026

SB 2055: Local Education Agencies - As enacted, requires LEAs and public charter schools to allow a private pay provider who is under contract with a parent or legal guardian of a student with autism spectrum disorder or developmental delays who is enrolled in the LEA or public charter school, access to the student during the school day to provide the student with private pay services in educational settings as long as the educational settings in which private pay services are provided do not conflict with the student's educational placement; makes other related changes. - Amends TCA Title 49; Title 68 and Title 71.

SB 2055 requires Tennessee public schools and charter schools to permit private pay providers (licensed behavior analysts hired by families) to deliver applied behavior analysis services to students with autism or developmental delays during school hours. The bill mandates that schools allow access to students in classroom or educational settings, provided the services align with the student's individualized education plan (IEP) and parental consent is obtained. Schools must coordinate with IEP teams, ensure services don't disrupt classrooms, and cannot charge fees or block access to private providers. The law also requires private providers to comply with background checks and licensure standards, while prohibiting schools from discriminating against students receiving these services.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands educational access for students with autism/developmental delays by requiring schools to allow private pay providers during school hours per IEP, enhancing service availability in educational settings.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires schools to permit private pay ABA healthcare services for autism/developmental delays during school hours, improving access to specialized medical care within educational settings per IEP.92% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice Special Education Medical Licensing