HB 2438 Arizona House · 57th Legislature - Second Regular Session

podiatric licensure compact

HB 2438 creates a compact allowing podiatric physicians (foot doctors) licensed in one participating state to more easily obtain licenses in other participating states through a streamlined process. It requires physicians to designate a "state of principal license" (where they primarily practice or reside) and ensures they must comply with the licensing rules of the state where the patient is located during treatment. The compact adds a new pathway for cross-state practice without changing existing state laws governing podiatric medicine. This directly affects podiatric physicians seeking to practice across state lines in states that adopt the compact.

Issues: ✓ Healthcare

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

House Passage

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 20, 2026 Last action Mar 10, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Version → House Engrossed Version (02/25/2026) · 7 edits · Feb 25, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was reformatted from a standard introduced version to a formal House Engrossed version, resulting in significant structural changes. The most substantive policy addition is a new definition for 'podiatric physician' that now includes a requirement for the physician to hold a full and unrestricted license in a member state, which was not explicitly stated in the original text. The bill also added a new eligibility clause stating that physicians who do not meet the compact's specific requirements can still obtain a license through standard state procedures.

Scope change

The bill's scope was slightly expanded by clarifying that the compact creates an additional pathway for licensure without overriding existing state laws, and by adding a specific definition for who qualifies as a 'podiatric physician' under the compact.

DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'podiatric physician' (Section 2, paragraph 13) which now explicitly requires the individual to possess a full and unrestricted license issued by a member board.

Added a new definition for 'practice of podiatric medicine' (Section 2, paragraph 14) to clarify that it involves clinical prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of human disease or injury.

Added a new definition for 'rule' (Section 2, paragraph 15) to define the legal weight of rules adopted by the interstate commission.

Added a new definition for 'state' (Section 2, paragraph 16) to include states, commonwealths, districts, and territories of the United States.

Added a new definition for 'state of principal license' (Section 2, paragraph 17) to establish the primary state for registration and participation in the compact.

ELIGIBILITY

Added a new provision (Section 3, paragraph B) allowing podiatric physicians who do not meet the compact's specific eligibility requirements to still obtain a license through standard state laws and requirements.

TECHNICAL

The document was converted from an 'Introduced Version' to a 'House Engrossed Version,' which involved reformatting the header, removing line numbers, and adjusting the layout to reflect legislative approval.

Floor votes · House Feb 25, 2026

How they voted

42–12

Passed · 6 other

Total votes 60

Feb 25, 2026

D Democratic27

21 Yea 2 Nay 4

77% Yea

R Republican33

21 Yea 10 Nay 2

63% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 25, 2026

Lower · Passed

PASSED

lower

Feb 24, 2026

Lower · Passed

lower

Feb 2, 2026

Lower · Passed

lower

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor