What must the supervising physician actually do in Delaware?

Short answer
Stay responsible and involved, not in name only: be on site and personally evaluate or consult whenever a diagnosis is made or a prescription treatment plan is started; otherwise be on site or reachable and able to arrive within 30 minutes.

Any physician who delegates medical responsibility to a non-physician is responsible for that individual's medical activities and must provide adequate supervision; no function may be delegated to a non-physician who by statute or professional regulation is prohibited from performing it, and the delegating physician cannot be involved in patient care in name only. Direct supervision requires the delegating physician to be physically on the premises and to perform an evaluation or give a consultation, and is required if a medical diagnosis is rendered or a treatment plan involving prescription medications is to be instituted. Indirect supervision requires the physician to be either physically present on the premises or readily available by an electronic device, meaning able to become physically present within 30 minutes of notification if the situation warrants. A supervising physician who fails to adhere to these regulations is considered to be permitting the unauthorized practice of medicine and is subject to discipline.

24 DAC 1700 §§11.1.1, 11.1.3, 11.1.4, 11.1.7 (Delegation of responsibilities to non-physicians) · verified Sep 8, 2026 · regulatory monitoring, not legal advice