(b) Paragraph (a) 3. does not apply to an applicant if the applicant provides evidence that he or she is licensed as a physician assistant or physician associate in another state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States and the board determines that the requirements for obtaining the license in that state or territory are substantially equivalent to the requirements under par. (a).

(2) (a) The renewal date for a license issued under this subchapter is specified under s. 440.08 (2) (a), and the renewal fees for such licenses are determined by the department under s. 440.03 (9) (a). Renewal of a license is subject to par. (b).

(b) An applicant for the renewal of a license under this subchapter shall submit with his or her application for renewal proof of having satisfied the continuing education requirements imposed by the board under s. 448.973 (1) (b). This paragraph does not apply to an applicant for renewal of a license that expires on the first renewal date after the date on which the board initially granted the license.

(3) Notwithstanding sub. (1), an individual who, on the effective date of this subsection .... [LRB inserts date], was licensed by the medical examining board as a physician assistant under subch. II of ch. 448, 2019 stats., shall be considered to have been licensed under sub. (1) for purposes of this subchapter.

448.975 Practice and employment. (1) (a) Subject to the limitations and requirements under sub. (2); the physician assistant's experience, education, and training; and any rules promulgated under sub. (5), a physician assistant may do any of the following:

1. Examine into the fact, condition, or cause of human health or disease, or treat, operate, prescribe, or advise for the same, by any means or instrumentality.

2. Apply principles or techniques of medical sciences in the diagnosis or prevention of any of the conditions described in subd. 1. and in s. 448.971 (2).

3. Penetrate, pierce, or sever the tissues of a human being.

4. Offer, undertake, attempt, or hold himself or herself out in any manner as able to do any of the acts described in this paragraph.

(b) 1. Subject to subd. 2. and any rules promulgated by the board and consistent with his or her experience, education, and training, a physician assistant may order, prescribe, procure, dispense, and administer prescription drugs, medical devices, services, and supplies.

2. A physician assistant practicing under the supervision and direction of a podiatrist under sub. (2) (a) 2m. may issue a prescription order for a drug or device in accordance with guidelines established by the supervising podiatrist and the physician assistant and with rules promulgated by the board. If any conflict exists between the guidelines and the rules, the rules shall control.

(c) A physician assistant may practice in ambulatory care, acute care, long-term care, home care, or other settings as a primary, specialty, or surgical care provider who may serve as a patient's primary care provider or specialty care provider.

(2) (a) 1. Except as provided in subds. 2m. and 3. and sub. (5) (a) 1. a. or b., a physician assistant who provides care to patients shall maintain and provide to the board upon request one of the following:

a. Evidence that, pursuant to the physician assistant's employment, there is a physician who is primarily responsible for the overall direction and management of the physician assistant's professional activities and for assuring that the services provided by the physician assistant are medically appropriate. In this subd. 1. a., “employment” includes an arrangement between the physician assistant and a 3rd party in which the 3rd party receives payment for services provided by the physician assistant.

b. A written collaborative agreement with a physician that, subject to subd. 1m., describes the physician assistant's individual scope of practice, that includes a protocol for identifying an alternative collaborating physician for situations in which the collaborating physician or the physician's designee is not available for consultation, and that includes other information as required by the board.

1m. All of the following apply to a written collaborative agreement between a physician and physician assistant under subd. 1. b.:

a. The agreement may be terminated by either party by providing written notice at least 30 days prior to the date of termination, or as otherwise agreed to by the physician and physician assistant.

b. The agreement shall specify that the collaborating physician shall remain reasonably available to the physician assistant through the use of telecommunications or other electronic means within a medically appropriate time frame and that the collaborating physician may designate an alternate collaborator during periods of unavailability.

c. The agreement shall specify an arrangement for physician consultation with the patient within a medically appropriate time frame for consultation, if requested by the patient or the physician assistant.

d. The agreement shall be signed by the physician assistant and the collaborating physician.

2. Subdivision 1. does not require the physical presence of a physician at the time and place a physician assistant renders a service.

2m. A physician assistant may practice under the supervision and direction of a podiatrist. A physician assistant who is practicing under the supervision and direction of a podiatrist shall be limited to providing nonsurgical patient services. Subdivision 1. does not apply to a physician assistant who is practicing under the supervision and direction of a podiatrist.

3. Subdivision 1. does not apply with respect to a physician assistant who is employed by the federal government as a civilian or member of the uniformed services while performing duties incident to that employment or service.

(b) A physician assistant shall limit his or her practice to the scope of his or her experience, education, and training.

(c) No physician assistant may provide medical care, except routine screening and emergency care, in any of the following: