PA autonomy is typically determined by:

• A. Federal policy only
• B. State regulations and the autonomy of the supervising physician
• C. Hospital marketing decisions
• D. Patient preferences

Answer: (B)

The degree of independence a PA has is defined by state regulations and the supervising physician’s delegated authority. In the United States, each state lays out the PA scope of practice in its laws and board rules, and the supervising physician determines how much is delegated and under what conditions within those rules. Federal policy sets reimbursement and general standards, but not the day-to-day autonomy. Hospital marketing decisions or patient preferences do not establish a PA’s legal scope of practice.