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Practitioner:

Physician Assistants

Physician assistants, also referred to as physician associates, are nationally certified and state-licensed medical professionals, and practice on health care teams with physicians and other providers. Generally, PAs can take medical histories, conduct physical exams, diagnose and treat illness, order and interpret tests, develop treatment plans, prescribe medication, counsel on preventative care, assist in surgery and perform procedures.

The links to the right lead to maps showing a comparison of all states and territories for the following policy areas:

1. Supervision requirements, practice and prescriptive authority (shown below).
2. Scope of practice determination.
3. Adaptable proximity requirements.
4. Chart co-signatures.
5. Number of PAs supervised.

Choose a tab to explore different options. For more detailed information, please click on a state or territory.

Physician Assistants:
Supervision Requirements (Practice and Prescriptive Authority)

Mobile users can use this dropdown of states if the map is too small.

LEGEND

  • Supervision or collaboration not required for practice or prescriptive authority.
  • Supervision with a physician required for practice and prescriptive authority.
  • Collaboration allowed with a physician for practice and prescriptive authority.
  • Information is not currently available for supervision requirements.

Practice authority for physician assistants (PAs) includes the legally required relationship that a PA must have with a physician or other health care provider in order to practice or prescribe. Some states require a PA to be supervised by a physician or other health care provider to practice and prescribe. In some states, collaboration with a physician or other health care provider is allowed for practice and prescriptive authority. In other states, PAs can practice or prescribe without supervision or collaboration once certain requirements are met.

Policy areas for Physician Assistants

Supervision Requirements (Practice and Prescriptive Authority)

Number of PAs Supervised

Chart Co-Signatures

Adaptable Proximity Requirements

Scope of Practice Determination


Practitioner Scope of Practice

  • Behavioral Health Providers
  • Advanced Practice Registered Nurses
  • Optometrists
  • Oral Health Providers
  • Pharmacists
  • Physician Assistants

Physician Assistants Overview

Learn More About Physician Assistants

For More Information

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Acknowledgement and Disclaimer: This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under UD3OA22893, National Organizations for State and Local Officials. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. government.

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