Scope of practice
Moving the needle
By Victoria Houghton, Managing Editor, January 1, 2022
DermWorld breaks down the latest highlights of AADA advocacy activities at the federal and state legislative and regulatory level.
Non-physician clinicians are increasingly being incorporated into dermatology practices nationwide. One of the AADA’s top priorities is to advocate for a physician-led, team-based approach to care that ensures safety and quality care for patients.
Each state has its own scope of practice laws governing what a non-physician clinician can do and whether supervision is required. The AADA serves on the AMA’s steering committee of the Scope of Practice Partnership and works with state and local dermatology and medical societies to combat dangerous scope expansions for non-physician clinicians.
In 2021, the AADA worked in lockstep with physicians and organizations to defeat scope expansion legislation in several states:
Louisiana
In a win for Louisiana dermatologists, the Louisiana State Legislature rejected several pieces of legislation that would have authorized physician assistants and nurse practitioners to practice independently. We worked with the Louisiana Dermatological Society, Louisiana State Medical Society, and the AMA Scope of Practice Partnership (SOPP) to successfully explain the importance of the physician-led care team to state lawmakers.
Mississippi
In Mississippi, the AADA partnered with the Mississippi Dermatology Association and the AMA SOPP to defeat a bill that would have authorized advanced practice registered nurses to practice independently after completing 3,600 transition-to-practice hours.
Scope in your state
Learn more about the scope laws in your state.
South Dakota
In South Dakota, the AADA, South Dakota State Medical Association (SDSMA), and American Medical Association (AMA) teamed up and successfully defeated legislation that would have expanded the scope of practice of physician assistants, allowing them to practice without physician involvement after only 520 practice hours. The AMA SOPP granted the SDSMA $30,000 to oppose legislation that will likely be introduced in 2022.
Virginia
In Virginia, the AADA and the Virginia Dermatology Society opposed legislation that would license naturopaths and allow them to use a number of misleading terms to identify themselves, including “naturopathic medical doctor,” “doctor of natural medicine,” “doctor of naturopathy,” and “doctor of naturopathic medicine.” Thanks to AADA advocacy efforts, the bill failed, maintaining clearer lines around qualifications and limitations on who is providing patient care.
Share your concerns
Have a concern about a local scope of practice issue? Share your concerns with the Academy.
