Signing for a Physician Assistant in Vermont: what the physician takes on

Available remotely (no on-site requirement)

The participating physician must be 'accessible for consultation by telephone or electronic means at all times' the PA is practicing (26 V.S.A. § 1735a); no on-site or mile/minute standard is codified.

Covered by the practice agreement · controlled substances permitted

A PA may prescribe, dispense, administer, and procure drugs and medical devices 'to the same extent as a physician'; a PA who prescribes controlled substances must hold federal DEA registration. No schedule-specific numeric limit found in statute. Separately, § 1735a requires the practice agreement to include processes for 'periodic joint evaluation of services delivered,' but codifies no fixed meeting frequency — left to the agreement.

Licensee-only ownership required — Professional Corporation under 11 V.S.A. ch. 4 (§ 1403 lets licensed physicians hold shares in a PC providing medical and nursing services). As of H.583 (eff. July 1, 2026), a medical practice may only employ physicians/practice medicine if Vermont licensees hold a majority of shares, a majority of directors, and all officer positions except secretary/treasurer, with each licensed owner meeting a 'meaningful ownership' (in-state, substantially engaged) standard. Whether a PA is independently eligible as a PC shareholder alongside a physician was not separately confirmed.

H.583 also adds PE/hedge-fund ownership reporting (to the Green Mountain Care Board, starting March 2027) and a private right of action for providers whose clinical judgment is interfered with by a non-licensee owner.