Navigating the NP Scope of Practice Debate

A Balanced Look at Full Practice Authority

Numerous studies from RAND and the National Academy of Medicine show NP-delivered care is equivalent in quality to physician-delivered care for primary care conditions. Despite the evidence, scope of practice is regulated at the state level with enormous variation. As of 2025, roughly half of US states have granted NPs full practice authority. Join your state NPA or AANP chapter to stay current on legislative developments and add your clinical voice to the advocacy conversation.