SB 1263 Summary

• Creates a new licensure and regulatory framework for anesthesiologist assistants in Arizona under the Arizona Medical Board, requiring graduation from an accredited program and passage of a certification examination.

• Anesthesiologist assistants must practice under the direct supervision of a licensed anesthesiologist who assumes legal responsibility for all delegated duties and remains immediately available to intervene.

• Grants anesthesiologist assistants authority to perform 27 specified duties including developing anesthesia care plans, airway management, administering anesthetic drugs, performing regional anesthesia, managing patient monitoring, and obtaining access to prescription drugs under supervising physician direction.

• Establishes a two-year license renewal cycle (expiring January 31), allows temporary licensure for program graduates pending certification exam passage, and permits license reinstatement after two years following revocation if applicant demonstrates rehabilitation.

• Makes unlicensed practice as an anesthesiologist assistant a Class 1 misdemeanor, and requires the Medical Board to investigate complaints and transfer cases involving osteopathic supervising physicians to the Board of Osteopathic Examiners.