AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 73-26-1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DELETE THE PROHIBITION ON LICENSING ANESTHESIOLOGIST ASSISTANTS UNDER THE PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT LICENSURE LAW; TO AMEND SECTION 73-26-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT APPLICANTS FOR LICENSURE AS A PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT WHO HAVE PASSED THE CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION ADMINISTERED BY THE NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR CERTIFICATION OF ANESTHESIOLOGIST ASSISTANTS (NCCAA) AND MET OTHER REQUIREMENTS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR LICENSURE AS A PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT; TO AMEND SECTION 73-26-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DELETE THE PROHIBITION ON THE STATE BOARD OF MEDICAL LICENSURE FROM AUTHORIZING PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS TO ADMINISTER OR MONITOR GENERAL INHALED ANESTHESIA, EPIDURAL ANESTHESIA, SPINAL ANESTHESIA OR MONITORED ANESTHESIA AS UTILIZED IN SURGICAL PROCEDURES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
House Bill 1481 would revise Mississippi’s physician assistant licensure law to remove the current prohibition on licensing anesthesiologist assistants under that framework. It would also allow applicants who have passed the National Commission for Certification of Anesthesiologist Assistants (NCCAA) exam, and who otherwise meet licensure requirements, to qualify for Mississippi physician assistant licensure. In addition, the bill would strike language that currently bars the State Board of Medical Licensure from authorizing physician assistants to administer or monitor certain forms of anesthesia in surgical settings.
The bill keeps the broader physician assistant licensing structure in place, including education, degree, supervision, and criminal background check requirements. Its main effect is to expand the pool of eligible licensees and to potentially broaden the scope of practice for physician assistants in anesthesia-related services, subject to board rules and other applicable law. The act would take effect July 1, 2026.
HB1481 would amend Sections 73-26-1, 73-26-3, and 73-26-5 of the Mississippi Code. The practical legal change is to remove statutory barriers that currently prevent anesthesiologist assistants from being licensed under the physician assistant licensure chapter and to remove the express statutory prohibition on physician assistants administering or monitoring specified anesthesia types. The State Board of Medical Licensure would retain authority to license, regulate, and set rules for physician assistants, but it would no longer be constrained by the deleted prohibitions when considering anesthesia-related licensure and scope-of-practice issues.
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee debate or votes in the provided materials, the measure appears to be framed as a professional licensing expansion rather than a controversial policy overhaul. The caption and language suggest support for integrating anesthesiologist assistants into the existing licensure system and aligning Mississippi law with that pathway. However, because no transcripts or vote history are provided, there is no direct evidence of support or opposition from legislators, medical groups, or other stakeholders in the available record.
The likely point of contention is scope of practice and patient safety in anesthesia care. Supporters would likely view the bill as a workforce and access measure that allows trained anesthesiologist assistants to obtain licensure and practice within a regulated system. Opponents, if any, would likely focus on whether physician assistants should be permitted to administer or monitor general inhaled, epidural, spinal, or monitored anesthesia, and whether expanding licensure in this area could blur distinctions between physician assistants and anesthesiologist assistants. The bill also references board rulemaking and task force composition, which could matter to professional associations concerned about regulatory control.