SB 354: Enact the Interstate Podiatric Medical Licensure Compact

This compact aims to strengthen access to healthcare by allowing podiatric physicians to become licensed in multiple states, enhancing the portability of a podiatric medical license and ensuring patient safety. The compact creates a streamlined process that complements existing licensing and regulatory authority of state podiatric medical boards. It adopts the prevailing standard for licensure and affirms that the practice of podiatric medicine occurs where the patient is located, requiring the podiatric physician to be under the jurisdiction of the state podiatric medical board where the patient is located. Podiatric physicians must meet eligibility requirements, including graduating from an accredited podiatric medical school, passing a licensing examination, and completing a residency program. They must also have never been convicted of a crime, held a license subject to discipline,…