Healthcare (Medical Licensing)

signed · Tennessee · House Apr 8, 2025

HB 62: Athletic Trainers - As enacted, authorizes athletic trainers to use dry needling to carry out the practice of prevention, recognition, evaluation, management, disposition, treatment, or rehabilitation of athletic injuries; requires the board of athletic trainers to establish minimum competency requirements for an athletic trainer to demonstrate in order to practice dry needling. - Amends TCA Title 49 and Title 63.

HB 62 authorizes Tennessee athletic trainers to use dry needling for preventing, treating, and rehabilitating athletic injuries, directly affecting licensed athletic trainers in the state. The bill requires the Board of Athletic Trainers to establish minimum competency standards that practitioners must demonstrate to safely perform dry needling. It clarifies that this practice does not constitute acupuncture under existing law. The policy change expands athletic trainers' scope of practice with specific safety safeguards, effective March 28, 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands scope of practice for licensed athletic trainers to provide dry needling for injury treatment, improving access to non-acupuncture healthcare services without restricting coverage.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 922: Health, Dept. of - As introduced, directs the commissioner to conduct a study on creating new or streamlining existing pathways to careers as primary care providers in this state for individuals who have medical training as noncommissioned officers in the armed forces of the United States; requires the commissioner to conduct the study using existing department resources; requires the commissioner to deliver findings and recommendations from the study to the chief clerk of the senate, chief clerk of the house of representatives, and the legislative librarian no later than December 31, 2025. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 33; Title 63 and Title 68.

SB 922 requires Tennessee's Health Commissioner to study ways to help veterans with military medical training (like medics or corpsmen) become primary care providers in Tennessee, such as doctors, nurses, or physician assistants. The study must identify barriers in current laws, find where military training counts toward licensure, and suggest new or streamlined career pathways. It directs the commissioner to use existing department resources and report findings and recommendations to lawmakers by December 31, 2025. This bill does not change laws immediately but aims to create future options for veteran healthcare workers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStudies pathways for veterans to become primary care providers, aiming to expand healthcare workforce and improve access to services.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill studies pathways for veterans with military medical training to become primary care providers, directly supporting veteran employment in healthcare careers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Primary Care Veteran Education Veteran Employment Veteran Healthcare

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 18, 2026

SB 502: Athletic Trainers - As enacted, expands the scope of practice for athletic trainers by authorizing them to treat conditions that limit or prevent a person's participation in certain physical activities rather than just treating injuries that limit or prevent such participation; makes related changes. - Amends TCA Title 63, Chapter 24.

SB 502 expands the scope of practice for licensed athletic trainers in Tennessee. It changes the definition of "athletic injury" to include any condition limiting physical activity participation (not just injuries), allowing trainers to treat such conditions under physician supervision. The bill also explicitly clarifies that athletic trainers are healthcare providers and lists specific procedures they may perform, such as blood glucose monitoring, injections, and wound closure. This directly affects licensed athletic trainers by broadening their treatment authority while maintaining requirements for physician oversight and board certification.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands athletic trainers' scope to treat conditions limiting activity (not just injuries), designates them as healthcare providers, and authorizes medical procedures like blood glucose monitoring, improving access to preventive care services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing

in committee · Tennessee · House May 13, 2025

HB 1203: Medical Occupations - As enacted, authorizes a healthcare provider’s licensing board to issue a license subject to a private advocacy order that requires the applicant to participate in a peer assistance program approved by the board; designates private advocacy orders as confidential and not public records, as long as the provider does not fail to maintain participation in the peer assistance program and requires the initiation of disciplinary proceedings by the board. - Amends TCA Title 63.

HB 1203 allows Tennessee healthcare licensing boards to issue licenses with conditions requiring applicants to participate in a board-approved peer assistance program. This applies to healthcare providers whose medical conditions might affect their ability to practice competently, but the "private advocacy order" itself is not considered a license restriction. The order is confidential and not a public record, unless the provider fails to maintain participation, triggering disciplinary action. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 63 to establish this process for conditional licensing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill enables peer assistance programs for healthcare providers' licensing, promoting safe practice through confidentiality and support, aligning with patient safety and provider competence.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 387: Medical Occupations - As introduced, prohibits a healthcare provider from inquiring as to a patient's ownership, possession of, or access to firearm ammunition or firearm accessories; subjects the healthcare provider to disciplinary action and a fine of $1,000 if the healthcare provider makes such inquires. - Amends TCA Title 63 and Title 68.

HB 387 prohibits Tennessee healthcare providers from asking patients about firearm ammunition or accessory ownership, possession, or access. It also bans denying treatment or discriminating against patients based on firearm ownership, and requires written notice if an inquiry occurs. Violations result in disciplinary action by the provider’s licensing board and a $1,000 fine per violation. The law applies to most healthcare providers (excluding psychiatrists/psychologists) and takes effect July 1, 2025. It directly affects patient-provider interactions in medical settings across Tennessee.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits healthcare providers from inquiring about firearm ownership/access, preventing discrimination and protecting patient rights in healthcare settings per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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signed · Tennessee · House May 27, 2025

HB 979: Health Care - As enacted, establishes licensure of anesthesiologist assistants; revises provisions authorizing hospitals to employ certain licensed physicians for certain medical services. - Amends TCA Title 47; Title 63 and Title 68.

HB 979 establishes a new licensure process for anesthesiologist assistants in Tennessee, directly affecting these healthcare professionals and hospitals that employ them. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 63-1-160(g) and related provisions in Titles 47, 63, and 68, removing restrictions that previously limited hospitals from employing certain licensed physicians for specific medical services. This change updates hospital staffing rules to align with current healthcare practices. The law became effective on July 1, 2025, following the Governor's signature on May 21, 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes licensure for anesthesiologist assistants and removes hospital employment restrictions, improving staffing flexibility and access to care per amended health codes.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Medical Licensing

in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 13, 2025

HB 758: Medical Occupations - As introduced, establishes the scope of practice for anesthesiologist assistants, subject to regulatory oversight by the board of medical examiners as part of such practice. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 63 and Title 68.

HB 758 establishes a licensing system for anesthesiologist assistants in Tennessee, requiring them to complete accredited education, pass a certification exam, and obtain licensure from the Board of Medical Examiners. The bill mandates that these assistants practice only under the direct supervision of a licensed anesthesiologist, who delegates specific tasks. It also makes practicing without a license a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by fines up to $1,000 or up to one year in jail. This legislation directly affects anesthesiologist assistants and the Board of Medical Examiners, creating new regulatory requirements for their scope of practice.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes licensing and supervision requirements for anesthesiologist assistants, enhancing patient safety and professional standards within healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing

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