37-20-203. Licensing of physician assistants — collaborative agreements. (1) The board may issue either an active or inactive license to a physician assistant applying for a license or license renewal in Montana.

(2)A physician assistant with fewer than 8,000 hours of postgraduate clinical experience shall practice medicine with a collaborative agreement between the physician assistant and one or more collaborating providers, who may be:

(a)a licensed physician; or

(b)a licensed physician assistant with 8,000 or more hours of postgraduate clinical experience.

(3)”Collaborative agreement” as used in this section means the interaction and relationship that a physician assistant has with a collaborating provider as described in subsection (2), in which:

(a)the physician assistant and collaborating provider are cognizant of the physician assistant’s qualifications and limitations in caring for patients:

(b)the physician assistant consults with the collaborating provider while remaining responsible for care provided by the physician assistant; and

(c)the collaborating provider gives direction and guidance to the physician assistant.

(4)A physician assistant with a collaborative agreement under subsection (2) shall:

(a)practice under written policies and procedures established at a practice level that:

(i)describe how collaboration will occur in accordance with subsection (2); and

(ii)describe methods for evaluating the physician assistant’s competency, knowledge, and skills; and

(b)provide a copy of the written policies and procedures and documentation of compliance under this subsection (4) to the board upon the board’s request.

(5)A licensed physician assistant actively practicing for 8,000 hours prior to October 1, 2023, is exempt from the collaborative agreement requirement.