Advanced practice providers need to navigate professional licensing requirements while also addressing the legal issues involved in employment, contracting, and starting a practice. Jackson LLP works with nurse practitioners (NPs), physician assistants (PAs), certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), certified nurse midwives (CNMs), clinical nurse specialists (CNSs), and other advanced practice professionals on the legal issues that affect their careers and practices.
Our attorneys focus on the business and regulatory side of healthcare law, with practical advice tailored to you. Whether you are reviewing an employment agreement, forming a practice, or determining what your state requires for collaboration and supervision, we can advise you on your options so you can make informed decisions.
Legal Services for Advanced Practice Providers
Advanced practice providers may encounter a range of legal issues as they enter employment, establish a practice, or deal with changing professional requirements. Our attorneys advise PAs, CRNAs, CNMs, CNSs, NPs, and other advanced practice professionals on employment agreements, practice formation, collaboration and supervision requirements, and licensure compliance.
Employment Contract Review
An employment agreement can affect your compensation, schedule, benefits, professional responsibilities, and ability to work elsewhere after leaving the position. Before signing, you should understand what you are agreeing to and whether the terms fit your goals.
Jackson LLP reviews employment agreements for advanced practice providers, including provisions addressing compensation, restrictive covenants, termination, benefits, professional responsibilities, and other terms that can have a lasting impact on your career.
PLLC Formation and Practice Startup
Starting your own practice involves more than choosing a name and filing formation documents. The structure of the practice, ownership requirements, contracts and transactions, and regulatory obligations all need to work together.
We assist advanced practice providers with forming PLLCs and other appropriate entities and with the legal issues that arise when launching a practice. This can include corporate formation, ownership and governance questions, initial contracts, and other legal considerations involved in getting a practice off the ground.
Collaboration and Supervision Requirements
State laws governing advanced practice professionals vary significantly. Depending on your profession and location, you may need a written collaborative agreement, physician supervision, prescriptive authority arrangements, or other formal relationships with physicians or healthcare organizations.
Jackson LLP advises advanced practice providers on the legal requirements that apply to their practice and works with them to structure collaboration and supervision arrangements that comply with applicable state law.
Licensure and Regulatory Compliance
Maintaining a professional license is an ongoing obligation. Changes in practice structure, scope of practice, employment arrangements, and state requirements can create compliance questions.
We advise advanced practice providers on licensure and regulatory requirements, including questions involving scope of practice, practice authority, renewals, and other state-specific requirements.
Advanced Practice Professionals We Serve
Jackson LLP works with a range of advanced practice professionals, including:
- Physician assistants (PAs)
- Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs)
- Certified nurse midwives (CNMs)
- Clinical nurse specialists (CNSs)
- Nurse practitioners (NPs)
Nurse practitioners have additional legal and regulatory considerations based on their profession and state. Our nurse practitioner legal services page provides more focused information for NPs.
Where We Work
Jackson LLP represents advanced practice providers in:
- Illinois
- California
- New York
- Texas
- Wisconsin
Because licensing, scope-of-practice, collaboration, and supervision requirements are state-specific, the legal requirements that apply to you depend on both your profession and where you practice.
Practical Legal Guidance for Your Career or Practice
The legal questions you face as an advanced practice provider can change as your career develops. An employment agreement may be the priority when you join a practice. Later, you may need to evaluate a new collaboration arrangement, form your own PLLC, or determine whether your practice structure complies with changing state requirements.
Jackson LLP focuses on the legal and regulatory issues that matter to healthcare professionals building their careers and practices. We aim to give you straightforward advice so you can understand the legal requirements, evaluate your options, and move forward with confidence.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do you review employment contracts for physician assistants and other advanced practice providers?
Yes. We review employment agreements for PAs, CRNAs, CNMs, CNSs, NPs, and other healthcare professionals. We can identify provisions that may affect compensation, restrictive covenants, termination rights, professional responsibilities, and other important employment terms.
Can an advanced practice provider form a PLLC?
In many states, advanced practice providers can form a professional entity such as a PLLC, but the requirements vary by profession and state. Ownership restrictions, entity requirements, and professional licensing rules should be evaluated before forming the practice.
Do advanced practice providers need a collaboration or supervision agreement?
It depends on the provider's profession and the state where the provider practices. Some states require formal physician collaboration or supervision arrangements, while others grant greater practice independence. The specific requirements can also vary based on the services being provided and the provider's practice setting.
Can you help with licensure compliance in multiple states?
Yes. Jackson LLP works with advanced practice providers practicing in Illinois, California, New York, Texas, and Wisconsin. Because each state has different licensing and scope-of-practice rules, we evaluate the requirements applicable to your profession and practice.
Do you represent nurse practitioners?
Yes. Nurse practitioners are part of the advanced practice provider community we serve. We also maintain dedicated resources for NPs because their practice authority, collaboration requirements, and other legal considerations can differ from those of other advanced practice professionals.
Related Resources
Collaborative Agreements: Key Considerations for Physicians
Has a PA or APRN approached you about entering a collaborative agreement? Know the risks and responsibilities before you commit. We help you navigate the key factors to make the right decision.
Can Physician Assistants Own Independent Medical Practices?
Physician Assistants (PAs)s must understand their state’s regulations regarding practice ownership and operations.
Which Employees of a Healthcare Practice Should Be Covered By Employment Contracts?
Most medical practices treat the decision to require employment contracts for new physicians as almost automatic. But should you consider such agreements for your other staff? We help you evaluate.