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:
Adaptable Proximity Requirements
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LEGEND
- Statute allows adaptable proximity.
- Statute does not explicitly allow adaptable proximity.
Proximity requirements for physician assistants (PAs) refer to requirements that specify whether a physician must be continuously (or at regular intervals) in close proximity to a PA who is providing medical services. Some states have created adaptable proximity requirements which allow for availability by telecommunication or other virtual means and does not require the continuous physical presence of a supervisor on-site.
Policy areas for Physician Assistants
Supervision Requirements (Practice and Prescriptive Authority)
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