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.