Scope of practice key tools & resources

The AMA creates resources that set the record straight for policymakers. We are one of the only national organizations that has created hundreds of advocacy tools for medicine to utilize when fighting scope expansion. 

Health Workforce Mapper

Even in the states where certain practitioners practice independently, the AMA research shows that nonphysicians have not changed their practice location; have not alleviated the shortage problems in rural areas.

The AMA Health Workforce Mapper is a customizable, interactive tool that illustrates the geographic distribution of the health care workforce. These maps show that the promises made of “solving access problems,” made by nonphysician provider advocates, fall flat.

Issue briefs

Draw on issue briefs and other resources for background on major topics related to scope of practice. A few examples include:

• Oppose federal legislation that expands health care provider scope of practice (PDF)
• Access to care: 2021 updated (PDF, members only)
• 2020 APRN Multistate Compact (PDF, members only)
• Nurse practitioner overutilization and overprescribing (PDF, members only)
• Nurse anesthetists & truth in advertising (PDF, members only)
• Protect access to physician-led care (NP) (PDF)
• Protect access to physician-led care (PA) (PDF)
• Physician-led care supports patient access to care (PDF)
• Physicians are trained to lead (PDF)
• Protect physician-led care (pharmacist) (PDF)
• Protect physician-led care (psychologists) (PDF)
• Protect physician-led care (optometrists) (PDF)
• Protect physician-led care (naturopaths) (PDF)
• Protect patients with physician-led care at medical spas (PDF)

Model legislation

Those looking to strengthen scope of practice laws in their state can use the following AMA model bills and legislative templates as a starting point in the law-making process. A few examples include: 

• Legislative template: State-based scope of practice review committees (PDF, members only)
• Model bill: Collaborative drug therapy management (PDF, members only)
• Model bill: Diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma by optometrists (PDF, members only)
• Model bill: Physician-led team (PDF, members only)

State law charts

Scope of practice laws vary from state to state. Learn about state medical liability laws in your state and across the country. A few examples include: 

• Nurse practitioner practice authority (PDF, members only)
• Nurse practitioner prescriptive authority (PDF, members only)
• Physician assistant scope of practice (PDF, members only)
• Pharmacist scope of practice (PDF, members only)
• Psychologist prescribing authority (PDF, members only)

Geographic Mapping Initiative

Maps in the AMA Geographic Mapping Initiative (geomaps) compare where physicians practice versus where non-physicians practice in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The AMA created over 4,500 geomaps to demonstrate that expanding scope does not equal expanding access to care. These are available upon request. 

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Scope of Practice Data Series Modules

The Scope of Practice Data Series Modules (modules) can help advocates educate legislators, regulatory bodies and other policymakers about the education and training of certain health care professionals, as well as about the qualifications that physicians must attain to accept the responsibility for full, unrestricted licensure to practice medicine.

Use the modules to challenge the advocacy campaigns of nonphysician health care professionals who seek unwarranted scope of practice expansions that may endanger the health and safety of patients.

Truth in Advertising

The AMA's Truth in Advertising campaign has been enacted in over 20 states, informing the public about who is and is not a physician. 

Our commitment to fight any scope of practice expansions that threaten patient safety is deeply rooted. We are tenacious and will do what it takes to defeat these efforts. We are in it for the long haul. Join us.