2026 Legislative Session - Rule & Law Updates
Rule 360-2-.01 | Requirements for Licensure
Applies to: Physicians | Effective: May 25, 2026; Required as of July 1, 2026
*This rule applies to physicians and becomes effective on May 25, 2026; however, compliance will not be mandatory until July 1, 2026, allowing for a transition/grace period before enforcement begins.
*Per O.C.G.A. § 43-34-13, a fingerprint and criminal background check is required for all physician applicants: https://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/2022/title-43/chapter-34/article-1/section-43-34-13/
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- Part C now mandates a criminal background and fingerprint record check through both the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) and the FBI for all physician applicants (https://ga.state.identogo.com/ata)
- Applicants are now required to submit a completed affidavit and a Federation Credentials Verification Service (FCVS) report as part of their application documentation (https://www.fsmb.org/fcvs/)
- A National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) Self-Query report and, for non-citizen applicants, verification of one year of U.S. residency are now required items in the application checklist.
Rule 360-39-.03 | Temporary License
Applies to: Genetic Counselors | Effective: May 25, 2026
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- The temporary license renewal process now requires applicants to submit a written recommendation from a qualified supervisor who has supervised them within the past 12 months.
- Renewal fees for the temporary license are no longer fixed and will instead be designated in the board's fee schedule.
- Clarification was added that temporary licensees may continue to apply for 12-month renewal periods until they are no longer eligible for active candidate status with ABGC or ABMG.
Rule 360-35-.01 & 360-35-.05 | Definitions & Practice
Applies to: Cosmetic Laser Practitioners | Effective: May 25, 2026
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- The definition of "Cosmetic Laser Services" has been expanded to include energy-based medical procedures using ultrasound, cryolipolysis, microwave, or radio frequency devices, even those not intended to remove or vaporize the skin's surface but that may damage underlying tissue if used inappropriately.
- The definition of "Assistant Laser Practitioner" has been updated to clarify that practice must occur under the supervision of a senior laser practitioner or physician.
- The Practice rule reinforces that Assistant Laser Practitioners may only perform cosmetic laser services under the supervision of a licensed physician or senior laser practitioner.
Rule 360-32-.01, 360-32-.02 & 360-32-.03 | Nurse Protocol Agreements
Applies to: Nurse Protocol Agreements | Effective: May 25, 2026
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- The definition of "controlled substance" has been updated to exclude Schedule I and II substances from APRN prescribing authority, except as specifically authorized under O.C.G.A. § 43-34-25(d.1); a delegating physician may authorize a qualified APRN to prescribe hydrocodone, oxycodone, and compounds thereof in emergency situations, and must provide the APRN's DEA number to the Board within 30 days of issuance.
- A physician may now delegate to an APRN the authority to pronounce death and sign death certificates, with a requirement for one hour of biennial continuing education on death recognition, documentation, and certificate execution.
- A delegating physician may now enter into a nurse protocol agreement or job description with no more than the combined equivalent of eight APRNs or physician assistants at any one time.
- When a substantially similar nurse protocol agreement is submitted, it will be automatically deemed valid upon submission; however, APRN protocols will still be reviewed by the board staff/board and approval may be rescinded upon review.
- Delegating physicians must ensure APRNs receive annual pharmacology training and relevant biennial continuing education; failure to ensure appropriate training before delegating authority is subject to disciplinary action.
Rule 360-5-.03, 360-5-.05, 360-5-.07, 360-5-.11 & 360-5-.12 | Physician Assistant Rules
Applies to: Physician Assistants | Effective: May 25, 2026
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- When a primary supervising physician has a board-approved job description on file and submits an application for a new Physician Assistant in the same practice, the job description will be automatically deemed approved upon submission; however, the board retains the ability to terminate such approval upon review.
- A physician may now supervise no more than the combined equivalent of eight APRNs or Physician Assistants at one time.
- A physician solely employed by the Department of Community Health, an institution thereof, or a local health department, whose duties are administrative and do not normally include providing health care to patients, shall not be authorized to supervise a physician assistant who is employed by those entities.
- Physician Assistants may now be delegated the authority to pronounce death and sign death certificates by their supervising physician, mirroring the change made for APRNs.
- A Physician Assistant may now be authorized to issue prescription drug orders for hydrocodone, oxycodone, and compounds thereof in emergency situations, pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 43-34-103(e.1)(1)(B); outside of this exception, PAs may not issue written prescriptions for Schedule II controlled substances.
- The continuing education rule has been updated to clarify that the Board may waive renewal CE requirements in cases of hardship, disability, illness, or legislative service, except for hours specifically listed under designated paragraphs.