SF 4517

Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 04/08/2026 09:13 a.m.

A bill for an act
relating to health occupations; establishing licensure for anesthesiologist assistants;
amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 147.012; proposing coding for new
law as Minnesota Statutes, chapter 147G.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 147.012, is amended to read:

147.012 OVERSIGHT OF ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONS.

The board has responsibility for the oversight of the following allied health professions:
physician assistants under chapter 147A, acupuncture practitioners under chapter 147B,
respiratory care practitioners under chapter 147C, traditional midwives under chapter 147D,
registered naturopathic doctors under chapter 147E, genetic counselors under chapter 147F, new text begin
anesthesiologist assistants under chapter 147G, new text end and athletic trainers under sections 148.7801
to 148.7815.

Sec. 2.

new text begin [147G.01] DEFINITIONS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Scope. new text end

new text begin For purposes of this chapter, the terms defined in this section have
the meanings given.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Anesthesiologist assistant. new text end

new text begin "Anesthesiologist assistant" means an individual
licensed under this chapter to assist in the practice of medicine only under the supervision
of a physician.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Assist. new text end

new text begin "Assist" means an anesthesiologist assistant personally performing the
duties and responsibilities delegated by the supervising physician.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Board. new text end

new text begin "Board" means the Board of Medical Practice or its designee.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Collaborative practice agreement. new text end

new text begin "Collaborative practice agreement" means
a mutually agreed upon plan for the overall working relationship and collaborative
arrangement between an anesthesiologist assistant and one or more physicians that designates
the scope of services that an anesthesiologist assistant can provide.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Immediately available. new text end

new text begin "Immediately available" means that a supervising
physician is in such proximity to an anesthesiologist assistant that the supervising physician
is able to reestablish direct contact with the patient to meet the medical needs of the patient
and to intervene to address any urgent or emergent clinical problems.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Licensed. new text end

new text begin "Licensed" means holding a current license issued by the board.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Physician. new text end

new text begin "Physician" means a person currently licensed in good standing as
a physician or osteopathic physician under chapter 147.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Provisional license. new text end

new text begin "Provisional license" means a license issued by the board
under section 147G.03.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 10. new text end

new text begin Supervising physician. new text end

new text begin "Supervising physician" means a physician who
delegates, directs, coordinates, consults on, and oversees the performance, practice, and
activities of an anesthesiologist assistant through a collaborative practice agreement under
subdivision 5, in accordance with the American Society of Anesthesiologists' most recent
guidance for best practice of anesthesia in the anesthesia care team model.
new text end

Sec. 3.

new text begin [147G.02] LICENSURE.
new text end

new text begin (a) The board must grant an anesthesiologist assistant license to an applicant who:
new text end

new text begin (1) submits an application on the forms approved by the board;
new text end

new text begin (2) pays the appropriate application fee to the board under section 147G.10;
new text end

new text begin (3) submits evidence of graduating from an anesthesiologist assistant program accredited
by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs or its predecessor
or successor organizations;
new text end

new text begin (4) submits evidence of completing a certification examination administered by the
National Commission for Certification of Anesthesiologist Assistants or another national
certifying examination required by the board;
new text end

new text begin (5) certifies that the applicant is mentally and physically able to engage safely in practice
as an anesthesiologist assistant;
new text end

new text begin (6) certifies that the applicant has no current anesthesiologist assistant license in this or
another state subject to discipline, revocation, suspension, or probation for cause resulting
from practicing as an anesthesiologist assistant; and
new text end

new text begin (7) submits any other information the board deems necessary to evaluate the applicant's
qualifications.
new text end

new text begin (b) If an applicant is unable to meet the requirement in paragraph (a), clause (6), the
board may find after an investigation that sufficient remediation has been made to issue the
applicant a license.
new text end

Sec. 4.

new text begin [147G.03] PROVISIONAL LICENSURE.
new text end

new text begin (a) The board must grant a provisional license as an anesthesiologist assistant to an
individual who:
new text end

new text begin (1) meets the requirements in section 147G.02, paragraph (a), clauses (1) to (3) and (5)
to (7); and
new text end

new text begin (2) has taken the examination required under section 147G.02, paragraph (a), clause (4),
but has not received the results of the examination.
new text end

new text begin (b) A provisional license expires two years after issuance.
new text end

Sec. 5.

new text begin [147G.04] LICENSE RENEWALS.
new text end

new text begin (a) Except as otherwise stated on a prorated initial license, a license issued under section
147G.02 is valid for a period of one year.
new text end

new text begin (b) A license issued pursuant to this chapter, other than a provisional license, expires
on the last day of the licensee's birth month.
new text end

new text begin (c) At least 30 days before the license expiration date, the board must send out a renewal
notice to the licensee's last known address. The notice must include a renewal application
and notice of fees required for renewal. If the licensee does not receive the renewal notice,
the licensee is still required to meet the deadline for renewal to qualify for continuous
licensure status, except for a person who provides documentation to the board of service in
the United States Armed Forces and deployment on active duty.
new text end

new text begin (d) To renew the license, the licensee must submit the following to the board prior to
the current license expiring:
new text end

new text begin (1) a renewal application form approved by the board;
new text end

new text begin (2) documentation of completing the continuing education requirements under section
147G.09; and
new text end

new text begin (3) the renewal fee under section 147G.10.
new text end

new text begin (e) Before an individual's license expires for noncompliance with paragraph (d), the
board must remove the name of the licensee from the list of individuals authorized to practice
as an anesthesiologist assistant. The board must place the licensee's name back on the list
of individuals authorized to practice if the license is reinstated under section 147G.05.
new text end

new text begin (f) Notwithstanding section 147G.05, the board must reinstate the license of an otherwise
qualified individual within 30 days if the licensee has cured the renewal deadline failure
and the license expired solely due to a failure to meet the renewal deadline and not as a
result of any unlawful conduct or discipline.
new text end

Sec. 6.

new text begin [147G.05] LICENSE REINSTATEMENT.
new text end

new text begin (a) Except as provided in paragraph (c) and section 147G.04, paragraph (f), an applicant
must not apply for license reinstatement until two years after the date of revocation. The
board must reinstate the license of an individual whose anesthesiologist assistant license
was previously revoked by the board if the applicant:
new text end

new text begin (1) applies in writing to the board;
new text end

new text begin (2) meets all initial licensure requirements under section 147G.02, including payment
of the initial application fee under section 147G.10, paragraph (a), clause (1); and
new text end

new text begin (3) demonstrates to the board's satisfaction under paragraph (b) that the individual is
completely rehabilitated with respect to the conduct that was the basis for the revocation.
new text end

new text begin (b) The board must find the following to determine that an applicant is rehabilitated as
to the conduct that was the basis for revocation:
new text end

new text begin (1) the applicant has not engaged in any conduct during the revocation period that would
constitute a basis for revocation pursuant to this chapter or rules adopted by the board;
new text end

new text begin (2) if a criminal conviction was a basis of the revocation, the applicant's sentence has
been fully discharged pursuant to statute or any other applicable judicial order from a court
of competent jurisdiction;
new text end

new text begin (3) the applicant has made restitution to any aggrieved person as ordered by a court of
competent jurisdiction; and
new text end

new text begin (4) the applicant demonstrates any other standard of rehabilitation the board determines
is appropriate.
new text end

new text begin (c) If a license revocation is based on a conviction of a felony and that conviction is
reversed on appeal, the board must vacate its previous order to revoke the license, and the
individual formerly licensed under this chapter may apply for reinstatement as soon as the
court vacates the conviction.
new text end

Sec. 7.

new text begin [147G.06] UNLICENSED PRACTICE, PROTECTED TITLES, AND
RESTRICTIONS ON USE.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Protected titles. new text end

new text begin No individual may use the titles "Minnesota Licensed
Anesthesiologist Assistant," "Licensed Anesthesiologist Assistant," "Anesthesiologist
Assistant," or "Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant" in connection with the individual's
name or any other words, letters, abbreviations, or insignia indicating or implying that the
individual is licensed by the state unless they have been licensed under this chapter.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Licensure required. new text end

new text begin Except as provided under subdivision 4, it is unlawful
for an individual to practice as an anesthesiologist assistant without being licensed under
this chapter.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Identification. new text end

new text begin Anesthesiologist assistants licensed under this chapter must
keep the anesthesiologist assistant's license available for inspection at the anesthesiologist
assistant's primary place of business. An anesthesiologist assistant must wear a name tag
that identifies the individual as an anesthesiologist assistant when engaged in the individual's
professional activities.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Exemptions. new text end

new text begin The following individuals are exempt from the licensure
requirements under this chapter if the individual does not hold themselves out as an
anesthesiologist assistant by or through the title provided in subdivision 1 in association
with the provision of services within the scope of this chapter:
new text end

new text begin (1) an individual regulated under section 214.01, subdivision 2;
new text end

new text begin (2) an individual listed in section 147.09, clauses (1) to (8) and (10) to (13);
new text end

new text begin (3) an anesthesiologist assistant student enrolled in an anesthesiologist assistant
educational program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health
Education Programs or its successor agency approved by the board; or
new text end

new text begin (4) an individual employed by the federal government if the individual is providing
anesthesiologist assistant services exclusively under the direction and control of a federal
employer.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Sanctions. new text end

new text begin An individual who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor
and is subject to disciplinary action and sanctions under the board's authority and injunctive
relief under section 214.11.
new text end

Sec. 8.

new text begin [147G.07] SCOPE OF PRACTICE.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Physician supervision. new text end

new text begin (a) An anesthesiologist assistant must only assist
in the practice of medicine under the supervision of a physician.
new text end

new text begin (b) An anesthesiologist assistant must only perform duties and responsibilities delegated
to the anesthesiologist assistant by a supervising physician as part of a collaborative practice
agreement and in accordance with the American Society of Anesthesiologists' most recent
guidance for best practices of anesthesia in the anesthesia care team model.
new text end

new text begin (c) The supervising physician must be immediately available, as defined in section
147G.01, subdivision 5, to the anesthesiologist assistant during the delivery of medical care.
new text end

new text begin (d) An anesthesiologist assistant must not delegate a medical care task assigned to the
anesthesiologist assistant by the supervising physician to another individual.
new text end

new text begin (e) An anesthesiologist assistant's practice must not exceed the anesthesiologist assistant's
scope of practice or the scope of practice of the supervising physician.
new text end

new text begin (f) A supervising physician must supervise anesthesiologist assistants in a manner
consistent with federal regulations for reimbursement of anesthesia services.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Collaborative practice agreement required. new text end

new text begin (a) An anesthesiologist assistant
must only practice under a collaborative practice agreement within a hospital or integrated
clinical setting where anesthesiologist assistants and physicians work together to provide
anesthesia care.
new text end

new text begin (b) The anesthesiologist assistant and one of the supervising physicians must have
experience in providing care to patients with the same or similar medical conditions, including
but not limited to experience received while participating in an accredited education and
training program.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin General scope. new text end

new text begin Subject to any limits specified in the collaborative practice
agreement, the scope of practice of an anesthesiologist assistant includes:
new text end

new text begin (1) services within the education, training, and experience of the anesthesiologist assistant,
as determined by the board;
new text end

new text begin (2) patient services customary to the practice of an anesthesiologist assistant and the
collaborative practice agreement; and
new text end

new text begin (3) other services permitted by law, rule, and the standards of the facilities at which the
anesthesiologist assistant practices.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Specific patient services. new text end

new text begin Patient services include but are not limited to:
new text end

new text begin (1) developing and implementing an anesthesia care plan for a patient;
new text end

new text begin (2) obtaining a comprehensive patient history and performing relevant elements of a
physical exam;
new text end

new text begin (3) performing preoperative and postoperative anesthetic evaluations and maintaining
patient progress notes;
new text end

new text begin (4) ordering and performing preoperative patient consultations;
new text end

new text begin (5) ordering and administering preoperative medications before the supervising physician
cosigns, including but not limited to controlled substances;
new text end

new text begin (6) changing or discontinuing a medical treatment plan after consulting with the
supervising physician;
new text end

new text begin (7) obtaining informed consent for anesthesia or related procedures;
new text end

new text begin (8) ordering and administering perioperative continuation of current medications before
the supervising physician cosigns;
new text end

new text begin (9) pretesting and calibrating anesthesia delivery systems and obtaining and interpreting
information from the systems and monitors;
new text end

new text begin (10) implementing medically accepted monitoring techniques;
new text end

new text begin (11) performing basic and advanced airway interventions, including but not limited to
endotracheal intubation and laryngeal mask insertion;
new text end

new text begin (12) establishing peripheral intravenous lines, including but not limited to subcutaneous
lidocaine use;
new text end

new text begin (13) performing invasive procedures, including but not limited to arterial lines, central
lines, and Swan-Ganz catheters;
new text end

new text begin (14) performing general anesthesia, including but not limited to induction, maintenance,
and emergence and procedures associated with general anesthesia, such as gastric intubation;
new text end

new text begin (15) administering anesthetic drugs, adjuvant drugs, and accessory drugs;
new text end

new text begin (16) administering vasoactive drugs and starting and titrating vasoactive infusions to
treat patient responses to anesthesia;
new text end

new text begin (17) performing, maintaining, evaluating, and managing epidural, spinal, and regional
anesthesia, including but not limited to catheters;
new text end

new text begin (18) performing monitored anesthesia care;
new text end

new text begin (19) obtaining venous and arterial blood samples;
new text end

new text begin (20) administering blood, blood products, and supportive fluids;
new text end

new text begin (21) performing, ordering, and interpreting appropriate preoperative, point-of-care,
intraoperative, and postoperative diagnostic tests or procedures;
new text end

new text begin (22) obtaining and administering perioperative anesthesia and related pharmaceutical
agents, including but not limited to intravenous fluids and blood products;
new text end

new text begin (23) managing the patient while in the preoperative suite, recovery area, or labor suites;
new text end

new text begin (24) ordering and administering postoperative sedation, anxiolysis, or analgesia;
postoperative respiratory therapy and medicines to treat patient responses to anesthesia; and
postoperative oxygen therapy, including but not limited to initial ventilator therapy that
may be administered before the supervising physician cosigns;
new text end

new text begin (25) initiating and managing cardiopulmonary resuscitation in response to a
life-threatening situation;
new text end

new text begin (26) participating in administrative, research, and clinical teaching activities, including
but not limited to supervising student anesthesiologist assistants and other students involved
in anesthesia education; and
new text end

new text begin (27) accessing and obtaining prescription drugs for a patient as directed by the supervising
physician.
new text end

Sec. 9.

new text begin [147G.08] DISCIPLINE; REPORTING.
new text end

new text begin For purposes of this chapter, anesthesiologist assistants are subject to sections 147.091
to 147.162.
new text end

Sec. 10.

new text begin [147G.09] CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS.
new text end

new text begin Each licensee must obtain the number of continuing education hours per cycle required
by the National Commission for Certification of Anesthesiologist Assistants, or the equivalent
organization, to maintain certification status.
new text end

Sec. 11.

new text begin [147G.10] FEES.
new text end

new text begin (a) The board may charge the following nonrefundable fees:
new text end

new text begin (1) anesthesiologist assistant application, $.......;
new text end

new text begin (2) anesthesiologist assistant annual license renewal, $.......;
new text end

new text begin (3) duplicate license, $.......;
new text end

new text begin (4) certification letter, $.......;
new text end

new text begin (5) education or training program approval, $.......;
new text end

new text begin (6) report creation and generation, $....... per hour; and
new text end

new text begin (7) verification, $........
new text end

new text begin (b) The board must prorate the application fee in the first year of licensure to account
for license renewal during a licensee's birth month and may prorate the application fee in
other circumstances as determined by the board.
new text end

new text begin (c) The revenue generated from the fees must be deposited in an account in the state
government special revenue fund.
new text end

Sec. 12.

new text begin [147G.11] ANESTHESIOLOGIST ASSISTANT ADVISORY COUNCIL.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Membership. new text end

new text begin The Anesthesiologist Assistant Advisory Council is created
and is composed of five individuals appointed by the board. The five individuals must
include:
new text end

new text begin (1) one public member, as defined in section 214.02;
new text end

new text begin (2) three anesthesiologist assistants who meet the criteria for initial licensure under
section 147G.02; and
new text end

new text begin (3) one licensed physician with experience as a supervising physician.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Organization. new text end

new text begin The council shall be organized and administered under section
15.059.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Duties. new text end

new text begin (a) The council must advise the board regarding:
new text end

new text begin (1) anesthesiologist assistant licensure standards;
new text end

new text begin (2) enforcement of grounds for discipline;
new text end

new text begin (3) distribution of information regarding anesthesiologist assistant licensure standards;
new text end

new text begin (4) recommendations of applicants for licensure or license renewal;
new text end

new text begin (5) complaints and recommendations to the board regarding disciplinary matters and
proceedings concerning applicants and licensees according to sections 214.10; 214.103;
and 214.13, subdivisions 6 and 7; and
new text end

new text begin (6) issues related to anesthesiologist assistant practice and regulation.
new text end

new text begin (b) The council must perform other duties authorized for the council by chapter 214 and
as directed by the board.
new text end