As a Nurse Practitioner, the state you live and work in has different laws and regulations that impact your practice. There are 3 different authorization categories -- Full Practice, Reduced Practice, and Restricted Practice. Here are the details and states for each practice.

The American Association of Nurse Practitioners defines each category below.

Full Practice
State practice and licensure laws permit all NPs to evaluate patients; diagnose, order and interpret diagnostic tests; and initiate and manage treatments, including prescribing medications and controlled substances, under the exclusive licensure authority of the state board of nursing. This is the model recommended by the National Academy of Medicine, formerly called the Institute of Medicine, and the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.

Reduced Practice
State practice and licensure laws reduce the ability of NPs to engage in at least one element of NP practice. State law requires a career-long regulated collaborative agreement with another health provider in order for the NP to provide patient care, or it limits the setting of one or more elements of NP practice.

Restricted Practice
State practice and licensure laws restrict the ability of NPs to engage in at least one element of NP practice. State law requires career-long supervision, delegation or team management by another health provider in order for the NP to provide patient care.

Full Practice States

• Alaska
• Arizona
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Iowa
• Maine
• Maryland
• Minnesota
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Mexico
• North Dakota
• Oregon
• Rhode Island
• Vermont
• Washington
• Wyoming

Reduced Practice States

• Alabama
• Arkansas
• Delaware
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Mississippi
• New Jersey
• New York
• Ohio
• Pennsylvania
• South Dakota
• Utah
• Virginia
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin

Restricted Practice States

• California
• Florida
• Georgia
• Missouri
• North Carolina
• Oklahoma
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Texas

The demand for NP’s with Full Practice authority continues to increase rapidly as more Doctors choose to pursue other specialties rather than family medicine or primary care.

Do you have any comments you’d like to share about these regulations?