There are 27 states, plus Washington, D.C., that operate with a full practice model for nurse practitioners, according to information from the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.
Full practice is the model recommended by the National Academy of Medicine and the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. Under this model, nurse practitioners are permitted to evaluate patients, diagnose, order and interpret diagnostic tests, and initiate and manage treatments, including prescribing medications and controlled substances.
The reduced practice model reduces the ability of nurse practitioners in at least one element of NP practice. In states with reduced practice, the law requires a career-long regulated collaborative agreement with another health provider in order for the NP to provide patient care, or it limits the setting of one or more elements of NP practice.
The restricted practice model reduces the ability of nurse practitioners in at least one element of NP practice. In these states, the law requires career-long supervision, delegation or team management by another health provider in order for the NP to provide patient care.
View information on NP practices for individual states here.
Here is where all 50 states and Washington, D.C., stand in 2026:
Full practice
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Dakota
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- South Dakota
- Utah
- Vermont
- Washington
- Wyoming
Reduced practice
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- New Jersey
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
Restricted practice
- California
- Florida
- Georgia
- Michigan
- Missouri
- North Carolina
- Oklahoma
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Virginia
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