Can a nurse practitioner treat without a supervising physician in Rhode Island?
Who treats · part of The Practice Perimeter
Short answer
Yes — a licensed nurse practitioner is an APRN with an independent, expanded scope covering advanced assessment, diagnosing and prescribing, and may serve as a primary- or acute-care provider of record; the cited rules impose no supervising physician.
“Advanced practice registered nurse” (APRN) is the title given to an individual licensed to practice advanced practice registered nursing within one of the following roles: certified nurse practitioner (CNP), certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) as defined in chapter 34.2 of this title, or certified clinical nurse specialist (CNS), and who functions in a population focus. An APRN may serve as a primary- or acute-care provider of record.
R.I. Gen. Laws §5-34-3(1) · verified Sep 3, 2026 · regulatory monitoring, not legal advice
Related Rhode Island rules
Each APRN is accountable to patients, the nursing profession, and the board of nursing for complying with the requirements of this chapter and the quality of advanced nursing care rendered; recognizing limits of knowledge and experience; planning for the management of situations beyond the APRN's expertise; and for consulting with or referring patients to other healthcare providers as appropriate.
R.I. Gen. Laws §5-34-3(2) · verified Sep 3, 2026
“Advanced practice registered nursing” means an independent and expanded scope of nursing in a role and population focus approved by the board of nurse registration and nursing education that includes the registered nurse scope of practice and may include, but is not limited to, performing acts of advanced assessment, diagnosing, prescribing, and ordering.
R.I. Gen. Laws §5-34-3(2) · verified Sep 3, 2026
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