Physician Assistants: Scope of Practice by State
As a physician assistant, it’s essential to understand the laws and regulations on scope of practice that govern and guide you as you practice. These vary from state to state and detail activities licensed medical professionals are legally permitted to perform in their practice area.
Use the map below to view the latest PA scope of practice by state, provided by the NCSL Scope of Practice Policy. Hover over your state to view policies in these areas: supervision requirements, practice and prescriptive authority, and scope of practice determination. For more detail, click your state or territory.
For more information regarding specific state policy laws not listed here, refer to your state’s Physician Assistant Practice Act.
Updated 3/21/2025.
Supervision requirements detail the need for a written collaborative agreement between the PA and the physician that outlines the procedures a PA is allowed to perform. Supervision of a PA can be determined at the practice level (within the medical practice the PA will be practicing), or determined by the state medical board or state law.
Scope of practice can be determined at the practice level between the PA and the collaborating physician, or determined by the state medical board or state law.
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