State legislators have introduced more than 80 bills so far this year relating to scope of practice for nurse practitioners, physician assistants, dental hygienists, dental therapists, community health workers, community paramedics and peer support specialists.

Maryland, Virginia and Washington legislatures have introduced bills outlining training and certification standards for community health workers.

Bills pending in Arizona, Florida, Kansas, Ohio and Wisconsin would authorize licensure or certification for dental therapists.

Six states have pending legislation that would allow nurse practitioners to practice independently from a physician.

Pending legislation in Kentucky would allow physician assistants to prescribe controlled substances.

To read these bills and other scope of practice legislation, please use the search function in the legislative database on this website.