Tenn. Code Ann. § 63-19-102 (2026)

As used in this part:

• (1) "Advertising":
  • (A) Means informational communication to the public in any manner to attract attention to the practice of a physician assistant; and
  • (B) Includes business solicitation:
    • (i) With or without limiting qualifications, on a card, sign, or device issued to a person;
    • (ii) On a sign or marking in or on a building;
    • (iii) In a newspaper, magazine, directory, or other printed matter; and
    • (iv) Communicated by an individual, radio, video, website, social media, or television broadcasting or other means designed to secure public attention;

• (2) "Board" means the board of physician assistants created by § 63-19-103;

• (3) "Collaborating physician" means a physician with whom a physician assistant has a formal relationship based on either protocols or a collaborative agreement;

• (4) "Collaborative agreement" means a written or electronic agreement that complies with the requirements of §§ 63-19-106 and 63-19-107 and is signed by a collaborating physician and a physician assistant who has received endorsement by the board;

• (5) "Endorsement" means a designation by the board to a physician assistant who meets the qualifications for endorsement as set forth in § 63-19-106, whereby such physician assistant is not required to practice pursuant to protocols but shall continue to collaborate with, consult with, or refer to the appropriate healthcare professional as indicated by the patient's condition and by the physician assistant's education, experience, and competencies, and according to the collaborative agreement between the endorsed physician assistant and collaborating physician;

• (6) "HIPAA-compliant" means that an entity has implemented technical policies and procedures for electronic information systems that meet the requirements of 45 CFR 164.312;

• (7) "Medical specialty" means an area of the study of medicine completed by a physician that leads to board certification by one of the boards approved by either the American Board of Medical Specialties or the American Osteopathic Board of Osteopathic Specialties;

• (8) "Orthopedic physician assistant" or "(OPA-C)" means an individual who renders service in collaboration with a licensed orthopedic physician or orthopedic surgeon and who has been licensed by the board of physician assistants pursuant to this chapter as an orthopedic physician assistant;

• (9) "Physician" means an individual in active practice and lawfully licensed to practice medicine and surgery pursuant to chapter 6 of this title, osteopathic medicine pursuant to chapter 9 of this title, or podiatry pursuant to chapter 3 of this title;

• (10) "Physician assistant" means an individual who is licensed to render services, whether diagnostic or therapeutic, that are acts constituting the practice of medicine, osteopathic medicine, or podiatry and who meets the qualifications described in this part;

• (11) "Protocol" means a written or electronic document signed by a collaborating physician and physician assistant who has not received endorsement by the board or is otherwise required by law that describes the manner in which a physician assistant practices and collaborates with a collaborating physician and that meets the requirements of § 63-19-106 or other law requiring protocols; and

• (12) "Usual scope of practice":
  • (A) Includes medical services generally provided by the collaborating physician to a patient in the normal course of the physician's clinical medical practice, such as services the collaborating physician routinely provides individually or through delegation to other persons so that the physician has the experience and ability to collaborate and provide consultation; and
  • (B) Does not include specific tasks or duties.

Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 1042,s 1, eff. upon promulgation of rules governing the collaborative agreements of physician assistants with physicians; see T.C.A. § 63-19-106(h)(1).

Amended by 2021 Tenn. Acts, ch. 565, s 6, eff. 5/26/2021.

Amended by 2018 Tenn. Acts, ch. 610, s 4, eff. 7/1/2018.

Amended by 2016 Tenn. Acts, ch. 946, s 3, eff. 4/27/2016.

Acts 1985, ch. 376, § 1; T.C.A., § 63-19-202; Acts 1988, ch. 906, § 1; 1992, ch. 604, §§ 1, 2; 1994, ch. 901, § 4; 1995, ch. 337, § 1; 1996, ch. 771, § 5; 1997 , ch. 207, § 5.