Full Scope-of-Practice Regulation is Associated With Higher Supply of Nurse Practitioners in Rural and Primary Care Health Professional Shortage Counties

Access to quality primary care is challenging for rural populations and individuals residing in primary care health professional shortage areas (HPSAs). The ability of nurse practitioners (NPs) to provide full care is governed by state scope-of-practice (SOP) regulation, which is classified into three types: full SOP, reduced SOP, and restricted SOP. Understanding how legislative and regulatory decisions can influence supply of NPs in underserved areas can help guide effective health policies to reduce disparities in access to care.