Scope of Practice by State
Medical assistants working in a medical office setting must adhere to the rules, regulations and requirements
mandated by their state in which they practice as well as those imposed by their credentialing body/certification
association. When in doubt one should always check with their State Health Department, Board of Medical Examiners,
and national professional membership and certification bodies for healthcare professionals working in the USA. See
AMA List of State Medical Boards.
Medical Assistant State Rules
In an updated version of an article originally published by the American Association of Medical Assistants
(AAMA) in 1996 and updated in 2003 it was noted that only seven states: Arizona, California, Florida, New
Jersey, Maryland, South Dakota and Washington have specific regulations that govern their medical assistant's scope of practice. However, with several years of progress
and advancement in the medical assisting discipline this may have changed. Below are some resources for
reference and research.
AAMA Role Delineation Study
AAMA Library and Form Center Scroll down to "About the Profession" AAMA Role Delineation Study,
then look for "Occupational Analysis of the Medical Assisting Profession"
AMT Lawful Scope of Practice
Arizona
Connecticut
California
California Medical Assistants
California Business and Professions
California Medical Assistant's FAQs
RN Supervision of the Medical Assistant
Florida
Florida Medical Assistants
Florida Special X-Ray Requirements
Iowa
Medical Assistants in
Iowa
Maine
The Board of Licensure in Medicine has ruled that physicians are accountable for the actions of unlicensed assistants employed by the
physician who do not fall under the Board's jurisdiction when they perform any invasive procedure, including
the administration of injections. The terms "under the direct control" and "in the immediate presence," as
stated in 32 M.R.S.A. §3270-A, shall mean the physician must be in reasonable proximity to lend medical
assistance to a patient should something adverse happen. Also, physicians, pursuant to 32 M.R.S.A. §3270-A
are accountable for the activities of unlicensed assistants employed by them. This policy shall be mailed to
all licensed physicians practicing in the State of Maine.
Nevada
Medical Assistants in Nevada
New York
Medical Assistants in New York
State
Pennsylvania
Medical Assistants in
Pennsylvania
South Dakota
Medical Assistants in South
Dakota
Virginia
Medical Assistants in
Virginia
Washington
Washington State
Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Disclaimer: The above is not an exclusive
itemization of the technical supportive services a medical assistant can or cannot perform. Medical assistants must
ALWAYS adhere to state and local laws and regulations! As an integral part of the allied healthcare team
medical assistants must demonstrate practice consistent with legal standards and state regulations that may apply.
Since all fifty (50) states may vary in their regulations as to the definition, training standards and scope of
practice of the medical assistant, specific state requirements for practice must be identified and met by the
concerned individual within the state they work. Nationally recognized credentialing
bodies for medical assistants, however, may further define and regulate the role of the medical
assistant.
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