California 20252026 Regular Session Status: To Executive

AB 1501 — Physician assistants and podiatrists.

Last action — Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 194, Statutes of 2025.

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed Assembly
  4. ✓
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been sent to the executive. Introduced February 24, 2025. It awaits signature.

Next likely step: the executive signs it into law or issues a veto.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 62% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

High

How often bills like it became law.

  • To Executive

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 1 sponsor

    1 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 8 recorded votes so far.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

Summary

(1) Existing law, the Medical Practice Act, establishes in the Department of Consumer Affairs the Podiatric Medical Board of California to license and regulate podiatrists. Existing law, the Physician Assistant Practice Act, establishes in the Department of Consumer Affairs the Physician Assistant Board to license and regulate physician assistants. Existing law repeals the provisions establishing those boards on January 1, 2026, and specifies the repeal of those provisions renders those boards subject to review by the appropriate policy committees of the Legislature. This bill would extend the operation of those boards until January 1, 2030. Existing law requires the board to regulate physician assistant training programs, including, among other things, through establishing guidelines for their approval and setting fees to be paid by them. This bill would remove the above-described requirements and authorizations relating to the board's regulation of physician assistant training programs. (2) Existing law makes a physician assistant licensed by the board eligible for employment or supervision by a physician and surgeon, as specified. Existing law prohibits a physician and surgeon from supervising more than 4 physician assistants at any one time, except under certain conditions. Among those exceptions, existing law authorizes a physician and surgeon to supervise up to 8 physician assistants if the physician assistants are focused solely on performing in-home health evaluations for specified purposes. This bill would increase the number of physician assistants whom a physician and surgeon may supervise at any one time to 8. The bill would make conforming changes, including removing the above-described exception for in-home health evaluations. (3) Existing law makes it a misdemeanor to use certain terms or letters indicating or implying that a person is a doctor of podiatric medicine without holding a valid, unrevoked, and unsuspended certificate to practice podiatric medicine. This bill would include in those provisions the use of the term "podiatric surgeon." The bill would state that it is the policy of this state that a doctor of podiatric medicine shall be classified or treated as a doctor of podiatric medicine and shall not be classified or treated as an ancillary provider or other allied health professional in any health care setting or insurance reimbursement structure for any purpose. (4) Existing law requires the Podiatric Medical Board of California to issue a certificate to practice podiatric medicine by credentialing if an applicant has submitted to the board from the credentialing organization verification that they are licensed as a doctor of podiatric medicine in any other state if the applicant has passed specified examinations, and requires the applicant to have passed those examinations within the past 10 years. This bill would delete the requirement that the applicant pass those examinations within the past 10 years. Existing law establishes specified fees applicable to certificates to practice podiatric medicine, including a biennial renewal fee of $1,318, a $100 fee for a duplicate wall certificate, a $50 for a duplicate renewal receipt fee, and a $30 endorsement fee. This bill would increase the biennial renewal fee to $1,900 would instead establish a $100 fee for a duplicate certificate, and would delete the duplicate renewal receipt and endorsement fees. (5) Existing law establishes various fees for physician assistants, including a $25 application fee, a $250 initial license fee, a $300 biennial license renewal fee, a $25 delinquency fee, and a $10 fee for a letter of endorsement, letter of standing, or letter of verification of licensure. This bill would instead establish a $60 application fee, a $250 initial license fee, a $300 biennial license renewal fee, a $75 delinquency fee, and a $50 fee for a letter of endorsement, letter of good standing, or letter of verification of licensure. The bill would authorize the board to increase the application fee to not more than $80, the initial license fee to not more than $500, and the biennial license renewal fee to not more than $500. (6) Under existing law, a physician assistant license expires at 12 midnight of the last day of the birth month of the licensee during the 2nd year of a 2-year term if not renewed. Existing law requires a licensee, in order to renew a license, to apply for renewal on a form provided by the board, as specified. This bill would instead require that the above-described renewal applications be made on an electronic form, or other form, provided by the board. The bill would require an application form to contain a legal verification by the applicant certifying under penalty of perjury that the information provided by the applicant is true and correct. By expanding the crime of perjury, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. (7) This bill would correct cross-references and make other technical changes to the Physician Assistant Practice Act and the provisions of the Medical Practice Act applicable to podiatrists. (8) The bill would state the intent of the Legislature that a comprehensive review of practice agreements structures be undertaken in consultation with relevant stakeholders and, in that regard, would authorize the Physician Assistant Board to collaborate, as appropriate, with the Legislature and other stakeholders to inform future policy discussions through existing processes and expertise. (9) The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Bill Text

Action History

  1. Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 194, Statutes of 2025.

  2. Approved by the Governor.

  3. Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m.

  4. Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 76. Noes 1. Page 3241.).

  5. In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.

  6. Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 40. Noes 0. Page 2701.).

  7. Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

  8. From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (August 29).

  9. Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.

  10. In committee: Referred to suspense file.

  11. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  12. From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (June 30).

  13. From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on B. P. & E.D.

  14. From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on B. P. & E.D.

  15. Referred to Com. on B. P. & E.D.

  16. In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.

  17. Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 75. Noes 1. Page 1892.)

  18. Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

  19. From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 13. Noes 0.) (May 23).

  20. In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.

  21. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  22. Read second time and amended.

  23. From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 17. Noes 0.) (April 29).

  24. Referred to Com. on B. & P.

  25. From printer. May be heard in committee March 27.

  26. Read first time. To print.

Sponsors

  • Committee on Business and Professions · Primary

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 121 not signed on · 1 voted No

Sponsors (1)

  • Committee on Business and Professions

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (121)

121 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 121 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Passed 76 Yea · 1 Nay · 3 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 58001
Republican 17102
Unaffiliated 1000
Total 76103
% of votes cast 95%1%0%4%
How each member voted (80)
Member Party Vote
Ávila Farías — Yea
Addis, Dawn Democratic Yea
Aguiar-Curry, Cecilia M. Democratic Yea
Ahrens, Patrick Democratic Yea
Alvarez, David Democratic Yea
Arambula, Joaquin Democratic Yea
Bains, Jasmeet Democratic Yea
Bauer-Kahan, Rebecca Democratic Yea
Bennett, Steve Democratic Yea
Berman, Marc Democratic Yea
Boerner, Tasha Democratic Yea
Bonta, Mia Democratic Yea
Bryan, Isaac G. Democratic Yea
Calderon, Lisa Democratic Yea
Caloza, Jessica Democratic Yea
Carrillo, Juan Democratic Yea
Connolly, Damon Democratic Yea
Elhawary, Sade Democratic Yea
Fong, Mike Democratic Yea
Gabriel, Jesse Democratic Yea
Garcia, Robert Democratic Yea
Gipson, Mike A. Democratic Yea
González, Mark Democratic Yea
Haney, Matt Democratic Yea
Harabedian, John Democratic Yea
Hart, Gregg Democratic Yea
Irwin, Jacqui Democratic Yea
Jackson, Corey A. Democratic Yea
Kalra, Ash Democratic Yea
Krell, Maggy Democratic Yea
Lee, Alex Democratic Yea
Lowenthal, Josh Democratic Yea
McKinnor, Tina Democratic Yea
Muratsuchi, Al Democratic Yea
Nguyen, Stephanie Democratic Yea
Ortega, Liz Democratic Yea
Pacheco, Blanca Democratic Yea
Papan, Diane Democratic Yea
Patel, Darshana R. Democratic Yea
Pellerin, Gail Democratic Yea
Petrie-Norris, Cottie Democratic Yea
Quirk-Silva, Sharon Democratic Yea
Ramos, James C. Democratic Yea
Ransom, Rhodesia Democratic Yea
Rivas, Robert Democratic Yea
Rodriguez, Celeste Democratic Yea
Rodriguez, Michelle Democratic Yea
Rogers, Chris Democratic Yea
Rubio, Blanca E. Democratic Yea
Schiavo, Pilar Democratic Not Voting
Schultz, Nick Democratic Yea
Sharp-Collins, LaShae Democratic Yea
Solache, Jr., José Luis Democratic Yea
Soria, Esmeralda Democratic Yea
Stefani, Catherine Democratic Yea
Valencia, Avelino Democratic Yea
Ward, Christopher M. Democratic Yea
Wicks, Buffy Democratic Yea
Wilson, Lori D. Democratic Yea
Zbur, Rick Chavez Democratic Yea
Alanis, Juan Republican Yea
Castillo, Leticia Republican Yea
Chen, Phillip Republican Yea
Davies, Laurie Republican Yea
DeMaio, Carl Republican Nay
Dixon, Diane Republican Yea
Ellis, Stan Republican Yea
Flora, Heath Republican Yea
Gallagher, James Republican Yea
Gonzalez, Jeff Republican Yea
Hadwick, Heather Republican Yea
Hoover, Josh Republican Yea
Johnson, Natasha Republican Yea
Lackey, Tom Republican Yea
Macedo, Alexandra Republican Yea
Patterson, Joe Republican Yea
Sanchez, Kate Republican Not Voting
Ta, Tri Republican Yea
Tangipa, David J. Republican Not Voting
Wallis, Greg Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Passed 40 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 30000
Republican 10000
Total 40000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
How each member voted (40)
Member Party Vote
Allen, Benjamin Democratic Yea
Archuleta, Bob Democratic Yea
Arreguín, Jesse Democratic Yea
Ashby, Angelique V. Democratic Yea
Becker, Josh Democratic Yea
Blakespear, Catherine S. Democratic Yea
Cabaldon, Christopher Democratic Yea
Caballero, Anna M. Democratic Yea
Cervantes, Sabrina Democratic Yea
Cortese, Dave Democratic Yea
Durazo, Maria Elena Democratic Yea
Gonzalez, Lena A. Democratic Yea
Grayson, Timothy S. Democratic Yea
Hurtado, Melissa Democratic Yea
Laird, John Democratic Yea
Limón, Monique Democratic Yea
McGuire, Mike Democratic Yea
McNerney, Jerry Democratic Yea
Menjivar, Caroline Democratic Yea
Padilla, Stephen C. Democratic Yea
Pérez, Sasha Renée Democratic Yea
Reyes, Eloise Gómez Democratic Yea
Richardson, Laura Democratic Yea
Rubio, Susan Democratic Yea
Smallwood-Cuevas, Lola Democratic Yea
Stern, Henry I. Democratic Yea
Umberg, Thomas J. Democratic Yea
Wahab, Aisha Democratic Yea
Weber Pierson, M.D., Akilah Democratic Yea
Wiener, Scott D. Democratic Yea
Alvarado-Gil, Marie Republican Yea
Choi, Steven S. Republican Yea
Dahle, Megan Republican Yea
Grove, Shannon Republican Yea
Jones, Brian W. Republican Yea
Niello, Roger W. Republican Yea
Ochoa Bogh, Rosilicie Republican Yea
Seyarto, Kelly Republican Yea
Strickland, Tony Republican Yea
Valladares, Suzette Martinez Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Passed 7 Yea · 0 Nay · 4 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 6002
Republican 1002
Total 7004
% of votes cast 64%0%0%36%
How each member voted (11)
Member Party Vote
Archuleta, Bob Democratic Yea
Arreguín, Jesse Democratic Yea
Ashby, Angelique V. Democratic Yea
Grayson, Timothy S. Democratic Not Voting
Menjivar, Caroline Democratic Yea
Smallwood-Cuevas, Lola Democratic Yea
Umberg, Thomas J. Democratic Yea
Weber Pierson, M.D., Akilah Democratic Not Voting
Choi, Steven S. Republican Not Voting
Niello, Roger W. Republican Not Voting
Strickland, Tony Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Passed 75 Yea · 1 Nay · 3 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 58001
Republican 16102
Unaffiliated 1000
Total 75103
% of votes cast 95%1%0%4%
How each member voted (79)
Member Party Vote
Ávila Farías — Yea
Addis, Dawn Democratic Yea
Aguiar-Curry, Cecilia M. Democratic Yea
Ahrens, Patrick Democratic Yea
Alvarez, David Democratic Yea
Arambula, Joaquin Democratic Yea
Bains, Jasmeet Democratic Yea
Bauer-Kahan, Rebecca Democratic Yea
Bennett, Steve Democratic Yea
Berman, Marc Democratic Yea
Boerner, Tasha Democratic Yea
Bonta, Mia Democratic Yea
Bryan, Isaac G. Democratic Yea
Calderon, Lisa Democratic Yea
Caloza, Jessica Democratic Yea
Carrillo, Juan Democratic Yea
Connolly, Damon Democratic Yea
Elhawary, Sade Democratic Yea
Fong, Mike Democratic Yea
Gabriel, Jesse Democratic Yea
Garcia, Robert Democratic Yea
Gipson, Mike A. Democratic Yea
González, Mark Democratic Yea
Haney, Matt Democratic Yea
Harabedian, John Democratic Yea
Hart, Gregg Democratic Yea
Irwin, Jacqui Democratic Yea
Jackson, Corey A. Democratic Yea
Kalra, Ash Democratic Yea
Krell, Maggy Democratic Yea
Lee, Alex Democratic Yea
Lowenthal, Josh Democratic Yea
McKinnor, Tina Democratic Yea
Muratsuchi, Al Democratic Yea
Nguyen, Stephanie Democratic Yea
Ortega, Liz Democratic Yea
Pacheco, Blanca Democratic Yea
Papan, Diane Democratic Yea
Patel, Darshana R. Democratic Yea
Pellerin, Gail Democratic Yea
Petrie-Norris, Cottie Democratic Yea
Quirk-Silva, Sharon Democratic Yea
Ramos, James C. Democratic Yea
Ransom, Rhodesia Democratic Yea
Rivas, Robert Democratic Yea
Rodriguez, Celeste Democratic Yea
Rodriguez, Michelle Democratic Yea
Rogers, Chris Democratic Yea
Rubio, Blanca E. Democratic Yea
Schiavo, Pilar Democratic Not Voting
Schultz, Nick Democratic Yea
Sharp-Collins, LaShae Democratic Yea
Solache, Jr., José Luis Democratic Yea
Soria, Esmeralda Democratic Yea
Stefani, Catherine Democratic Yea
Valencia, Avelino Democratic Yea
Ward, Christopher M. Democratic Yea
Wicks, Buffy Democratic Yea
Wilson, Lori D. Democratic Yea
Zbur, Rick Chavez Democratic Yea
Alanis, Juan Republican Yea
Castillo, Leticia Republican Yea
Chen, Phillip Republican Yea
Davies, Laurie Republican Yea
DeMaio, Carl Republican Nay
Dixon, Diane Republican Yea
Ellis, Stan Republican Yea
Flora, Heath Republican Yea
Gallagher, James Republican Yea
Gonzalez, Jeff Republican Yea
Hadwick, Heather Republican Yea
Hoover, Josh Republican Yea
Lackey, Tom Republican Yea
Macedo, Alexandra Republican Yea
Patterson, Joe Republican Yea
Sanchez, Kate Republican Not Voting
Ta, Tri Republican Not Voting
Tangipa, David J. Republican Yea
Wallis, Greg Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Do pass.

Passed 13 Yea · 0 Nay · 2 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 11000
Republican 2002
Total 13002
% of votes cast 87%0%0%13%
How each member voted (15)
Member Party Vote
Arambula, Joaquin Democratic Yea
Calderon, Lisa Democratic Yea
Caloza, Jessica Democratic Yea
Elhawary, Sade Democratic Yea
Fong, Mike Democratic Yea
González, Mark Democratic Yea
Hart, Gregg Democratic Yea
Pacheco, Blanca Democratic Yea
Pellerin, Gail Democratic Yea
Solache, Jr., José Luis Democratic Yea
Wicks, Buffy Democratic Yea
Dixon, Diane Republican Yea
Sanchez, Kate Republican Not Voting
Ta, Tri Republican Not Voting
Tangipa, David J. Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Passed 17 Yea · 0 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 13000
Republican 4001
Total 17001
% of votes cast 94%0%0%6%
How each member voted (18)
Member Party Vote
Ahrens, Patrick Democratic Yea
Bains, Jasmeet Democratic Yea
Bauer-Kahan, Rebecca Democratic Yea
Berman, Marc Democratic Yea
Caloza, Jessica Democratic Yea
Elhawary, Sade Democratic Yea
Irwin, Jacqui Democratic Yea
Jackson, Corey A. Democratic Yea
Krell, Maggy Democratic Yea
Lowenthal, Josh Democratic Yea
Nguyen, Stephanie Democratic Yea
Pellerin, Gail Democratic Yea
Wilson, Lori D. Democratic Yea
Alanis, Juan Republican Yea
Chen, Phillip Republican Yea
Flora, Heath Republican Yea
Hadwick, Heather Republican Not Voting
Macedo, Alexandra Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

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Frequently asked questions

What does AB 1501 do?
(1) Existing law, the Medical Practice Act, establishes in the Department of Consumer Affairs the Podiatric Medical Board of California to license and regulate podiatrists. Existing law, the Physician Assistant Practice Act, establishes in the Department of Consumer Affairs the Physician Assistant Board to license and regulate physician assistants. Existing law repeals the provisions establishing those boards on January 1, 2026, and specifies the repeal of those provisions renders those boards subject to review by the appropriate policy committees of the Legislature. This bill would extend the operation of those boards until January 1, 2030. Existing law requires the board to regulate physician assistant training programs, including, among other things, through establishing guidelines for their approval and setting fees to be paid by them. This bill would remove the above-described requirements and authorizations relating to the board's regulation of physician assistant training programs. (2) Existing law makes a physician assistant licensed by the board eligible for employment or supervision by a physician and surgeon, as specified. Existing law prohibits a physician and surgeon from supervising more than 4 physician assistants at any one time, except under certain conditions. Among those exceptions, existing law authorizes a physician and surgeon to supervise up to 8 physician assistants if the physician assistants are focused solely on performing in-home health evaluations for specified purposes. This bill would increase the number of physician assistants whom a physician and surgeon may supervise at any one time to 8. The bill would make conforming changes, including removing the above-described exception for in-home health evaluations. (3) Existing law makes it a misdemeanor to use certain terms or letters indicating or implying that a person is a doctor of podiatric medicine without holding a valid, unrevoked, and unsuspended certificate to practice podiatric medicine. This bill would include in those provisions the use of the term "podiatric surgeon." The bill would state that it is the policy of this state that a doctor of podiatric medicine shall be classified or treated as a doctor of podiatric medicine and shall not be classified or treated as an ancillary provider or other allied health professional in any health care setting or insurance reimbursement structure for any purpose. (4) Existing law requires the Podiatric Medical Board of California to issue a certificate to practice podiatric medicine by credentialing if an applicant has submitted to the board from the credentialing organization verification that they are licensed as a doctor of podiatric medicine in any other state if the applicant has passed specified examinations, and requires the applicant to have passed those examinations within the past 10 years. This bill would delete the requirement that the applicant pass those examinations within the past 10 years. Existing law establishes specified fees applicable to certificates to practice podiatric medicine, including a biennial renewal fee of $1,318, a $100 fee for a duplicate wall certificate, a $50 for a duplicate renewal receipt fee, and a $30 endorsement fee. This bill would increase the biennial renewal fee to $1,900 would instead establish a $100 fee for a duplicate certificate, and would delete the duplicate renewal receipt and endorsement fees. (5) Existing law establishes various fees for physician assistants, including a $25 application fee, a $250 initial license fee, a $300 biennial license renewal fee, a $25 delinquency fee, and a $10 fee for a letter of endorsement, letter of standing, or letter of verification of licensure. This bill would instead establish a $60 application fee, a $250 initial license fee, a $300 biennial license renewal fee, a $75 delinquency fee, and a $50 fee for a letter of endorsement, letter of good standing, or letter of verification of licensure. The bill would authorize the board to increase the application fee to not more than $80, the initial license fee to not more than $500, and the biennial license renewal fee to not more than $500. (6) Under existing law, a physician assistant license expires at 12 midnight of the last day of the birth month of the licensee during the 2nd year of a 2-year term if not renewed. Existing law requires a licensee, in order to renew a license, to apply for renewal on a form provided by the board, as specified. This bill would instead require that the above-described renewal applications be made on an electronic form, or other form, provided by the board. The bill would require an application form to contain a legal verification by the applicant certifying under penalty of perjury that the information provided by the applicant is true and correct. By expanding the crime of perjury, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. (7) This bill would correct cross-references and make other technical changes to the Physician Assistant Practice Act and the provisions of the Medical Practice Act applicable to podiatrists. (8) The bill would state the intent of the Legislature that a comprehensive review of practice agreements structures be undertaken in consultation with relevant stakeholders and, in that regard, would authorize the Physician Assistant Board to collaborate, as appropriate, with the Legislature and other stakeholders to inform future policy discussions through existing processes and expertise. (9) The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
Who sponsors AB 1501?
AB 1501 is sponsored by Committee on Business and Professions.
What is the current status of AB 1501?
This bill has been sent to the executive. Introduced February 24, 2025. It awaits signature.
Where can I track AB 1501?
Track AB 1501 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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