Currently, South Carolina physician assistants (PAs) practice under the supervision of a physician. This supervising physician delegates the health care tasks that the PA may perform. The relationship is formalized using written scope of practice guidelines that lay out which treatments and services are authorized. Under H 3579, PAs would become independent once certain requirements are met.

Initially, PAs would still practice according to scope of practice guidelines with a physician. And, like the current situation, the physical presence of the supervising physician isn’t necessarily required. However, once the PA completes 2,000 hours of postgraduate clinical experience, they would no longer need the written guidelines. Instead, the PA would practice pursuant to an “attestation statement” that attests that the PA has the needed education, training and skills to provide the medical services. PAs working under an attestation statement would still need to collaborate, consult or refer to the appropriate members of the health care team based on the patient’s needs. If the PA enters a new specialty, they will need to undertake an additional 1,000 hours of supervised practice before they can utilize an attestation statement again.

H 3579 would also expand the State Board of Medical Examiners to include two PAs. The bill would also allow the new term of “physician associate” to be used alongside the existing “physician assistant,” “PA” and “PA-C” terms.

The majority of states allow nurse practitioners to practice independently. More recently, many states have been giving more freedom and autonomy to PAs, ranging from reduced oversight requirements all the way to full independence. H 3579 is squarely within this trend. If you would like additional information, to read the language of the bill or to contact the sponsors or committee, you can find the information you need through these links H 3579 and S 44.