What does SHORT TITLE. of HR 7686 do?

This bill is formally titled the Rural and Underserved Health Care Staffing Act.

What does FEDERAL RECOGNITION OF LOCUM TENENS CLINICAL ROLES. of HR 7686 do?

This section establishes federal recognition of locum tenens clinical roles. It generally classifies qualified locum tenens physicians and advanced care practitioners as independent contractors, not employees, for purposes of certain federal laws and programs. The classification applies to services performed at a single site for no more than one continuous year. An express written agreement establishing an employer-employee relationship overrides this classification. The federal laws and programs affected include the Fair Labor Standards Act, the National Labor Relations Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, the Public Health Service Act, and certain Department of Health and Human Services programs. The definition of a 'qualified locum tenens physician or advanced care practitioner' includes individuals licensed to practice in the state where they provide services and operating under a written agreement. This section clarifies that it does not preempt state laws governing professional licensure or scope of practice. The provisions apply to services performed on or after the date of enactment of this Act.

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To recognize the importance of clinical roles of locum tenens physicians, and for other purposes. — HR. 7686

Q: What does Preamble of HR 7686 do?

This bill is formally titled 'To recognize the importance of clinical roles of locum tenens physicians, and for other purposes.'

Rural and Underserved Health Care Staffing Act

Last updated: 2/25/2026 · Introduced: 2/25/2026

Author: Earl Carter (R-GA)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill establishes federal recognition of locum tenens physicians and advanced care practitioners, generally classifying them as independent contractors rather than employees for several federal laws and programs.
The independent contractor classification applies to locum tenens providing services at a single site for up to one year, unless an express written agreement establishes an employer-employee relationship.
This legislation does not preempt state laws regarding professional licensure or scope of practice.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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Other Sections

Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 1 more.

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