50-State Scope of Practice Landscape

This website was designed by the National Conference of State Legislatures to educate state policymakers about scope of practice issues related to a range of non-physician health care practitioners who provide important services and can enhance access to care.

On this website, you will find information regarding the scope of practice for behavioral health providers, nurse practitioners, oral health providers, pharmacists and physician assistants. The tabs above link to interactive state policy maps for each practitioner in each state, D.C. and territory.  The site also includes a legislation database that enables you to track scope of practice bills in each state, links to resources for additional information and blog posts on current scope of practice activities around the nation.

According to the American Academy of Physician Assistants, physician assistants diagnose illnesses, develop and manage treatment plans and prescribe medications, among other things. As of 2023, there were more than 168,300 physician assistants practicing in the U.S., working in all areas of medicine. In rural and underserved areas, physician assistants may be the only primary care providers at clinics whereas physicians may be present only a few days a week. Physician assistants collaborate with physicians and other health care providers in a team environment.