Scope of Practice

Scope of Practice is a terminology used by licensing boards for various professions that defines the procedures, actions, and processes that are permitted for the licensed individual. The scope of practice is limited to that which the individual has received education and experience, and in which he/she has demonstrated competency. Each state has specific regulation based on entry education and additional training and practice.

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Health care professions with defined scope of practice regulations include nursing, midwifery, emergency medical services(EMT), social workers.

Governing bodies are generally at the state level. In some cases, federal guidelines / regulations exist. For emergency medical services, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the U. S. Department of Transportation has a national Scope of Practice.

Further reading

• Gwen D Sherwood, Gwen D., et.al. (1997). "Defining Nurse Practitioner Scope of Practice: Expanding Primary Care Services", The Internet Journal of Advanced Nursing Practice, 1(20), 1997. (ISSN 1523-6064)
• Scope of Practice, Board of Nursing, State of Colorado
• Final Draft of the National EMS Scope of Practice Model, September 2005.
• AOSW Scope of Practice, Association of Oncology Social Work.