(1) A physician's assistant shall not engage in the practice as a physician's assistant except under the terms of a practice agreement that meets the requirements of this section.

    (2) A practice agreement must include all of the following:

    (a) A process between the physician's assistant and participating physician for communication, availability, and decision making when providing medical treatment to a patient. The process must utilize the knowledge and skills of the physician's assistant and participating physician based on their education, training, and experience.

    (b) A protocol for designating an alternative physician for consultation in situations in which the participating physician is not available for consultation.

    (c) The signature of the physician's assistant and the participating physician.

    (d) A termination provision that allows the physician's assistant or participating physician to terminate the practice agreement by providing written notice at least 30 days before the date of termination.

    (e) Subject to section 17048, the duties and responsibilities of the physician's assistant and participating physician. The practice agreement shall not include as a duty or responsibility of the physician's assistant or participating physician an act, task, or function that the physician's assistant or participating physician is not qualified to perform by education, training, or experience and that is not within the scope of the license held by the physician's assistant or participating physician.

    (f) A requirement that the participating physician verify the physician's assistant's credentials.

    (3) The number of physician's assistants in a practice agreement with a participating physician and the number of individuals to whom a physician has delegated the authority to perform acts, tasks, or functions are subject to section 16221.