Georgia Nurse Practitioner Scope of Practice: A Lawyer’s Guide to What You Can (and Cannot) Do
- AskAngie
- Dec 29, 2025
- 4 min read
In Georgia, nurse practitioners do not have independent practice authority. This means an NP cannot practice medicine within their specialty without physician supervision. Georgia law requires NPs to work under a delegation or supervision arrangement with a licensed physician, and that relationship must meet specific regulatory requirements. NPs who want to open or operate their own practice can do so, but only if they comply with the rules set by both the Georgia Board of Nursing and the Georgia Medical Board, including proper agreements and oversight. Understanding what you can and cannot do is critical to protecting your license and building a compliant practice.
What are nurse practitioners allowed to do in Georgia?
Nurse practitioners in Georgia are permitted to provide a wide range of healthcare services, but always within a regulated, physician-supervised framework. Georgia law does not allow independent practice, meaning NPs must operate under the authority of a supervising physician whose scope and delegation define what the NP may do. Within that structure, NPs are allowed to see patients, perform evaluations, diagnose conditions, and provide advanced practice nursing care—but only to the extent authorized in the physician delegation agreement.
A common question is: can a nurse practitioner open their own practice in Georgia? The answer is yes, but only if the NP strictly complies with state regulations. One of the very first and most critical steps is identifying a qualified supervising physician and establishing the required written agreements, protocols, and oversight mechanisms. These arrangements must align with the rules enforced by both the Georgia Board of Nursing and the Georgia Medical Board.
Because these requirements are technical and closely scrutinized, many NPs work with an Atlanta healthcare compliance lawyer to ensure everything is done correctly from the start. A healthcare lawyer can help prepare and file the necessary paperwork with the appropriate medical boards, reduce compliance risk, and help structure a practice that supports growth while protecting your license. Understanding these boundaries is essential before treating patients or launching a practice in Georgia.
Does Georgia allow NP to practice independently?
No. Georgia does not allow independent practice for nurse practitioners or physician assistants. Both must practice under the supervision or delegation of a licensed physician. Independent practice, meaning diagnosing, treating, and prescribing without physician oversight, is not permitted under Georgia law.
This distinction matters for NPs looking to open or grow their own practices. While NPs can own practices in Georgia, doing so without a compliant supervisory structure creates serious legal risk. One of the most common and costly mistakes is treating supervision as a paperwork requirement rather than an operational compliance system. Georgia regulators have made clear that supervision must be active, ongoing, and documented.
The consequences of getting this wrong are significant. NPs can be sued for malpractice. In one recent case, a plaintiff successfully sued a physician assistant and recovered more than $500,000. In another case, a nurse practitioner malpractice lawsuit resulted in a $1.4 million judgment. These cases underscore that compliance is not limited to board rules. It is also a key part of malpractice prevention.
True compliance includes delegation agreements, supervision protocols, chart review systems, prescriptive authority safeguards, and internal policies designed to reduce liability. An experienced Atlanta healthcare compliance lawyer helps build these systems before problems arise.
Book a Start My Practice session to get tailored legal guidance for primary care, psychiatric practices, IV hydration, or medspas.
Can a nurse practitioner prescribe medicine in Georgia?
Yes, a nurse practitioner can prescribe medication in Georgia, but only when prescriptive authority is properly delegated by a supervising physician. Prescribing is not automatic, and the scope of what an NP may prescribe depends on the delegation agreement, the supervising physician’s specialty, and the type of medication involved, including additional rules for controlled substances.
In NP-owned practices, prescriptive authority often creates compliance challenges. Both the NP and supervising physician must meet Georgia Board of Nursing and Georgia Medical Board requirements, including audits, chart reviews, and ongoing oversight. Importantly, supervision cannot exist on paper only. The Georgia boards have recently disciplined physicians for failing to actively supervise NPs, making clear that real involvement, not just a signature is required.
To protect both parties, NPs and physicians typically enter into a medical director or supervision agreement that clearly defines prescribing authority, oversight duties, and compliance responsibilities.
Georgia Nurse Practitioner Scope of Practice: Legal Insights Every NP Should Know
If you are a Georgia nurse practitioner thinking about starting or restructuring a practice, a Start My Practice Session gives you clear, practical answers before you take costly missteps. During this session, we review your proposed practice model, supervising physician structure, prescriptive authority, and compliance risks under the Georgia Nurse Practitioner Scope of Practice rules. You will leave with actionable guidance tailored to your specialty and business goals. If you are not sure whether a full session is right for you, you can start with a free fit call to discuss your plans and determine the best next step for your practice.
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