Where scope comes from
- The licensing statute. In Arizona, nursing practice is defined in the Nurse Practice Act, beginning at A.R.S. § 32-1601.
- Board rules. The licensing board adopts rules to carry out the statute.
- Advisory opinions. Boards may publish advisory opinions on how practice standards apply to specific activities.
- Employer policy and insurance. These can restrict what you are allowed to do at a given workplace.
Allowed is not the same as competent
A license can permit a procedure you have never been trained to perform. Scope has a second layer: competence. Providers are expected to practice within their education, training and experience, which is why hands-on, supervised training matters even for providers whose license technically allows the procedure.
Why it matters for injectors
Who may perform a given aesthetic procedure, and under whose order, depends on license type. The same treatment can be within one provider's scope, and within another's only when delegated under a written order. See delegated medical acts and Level II and Level III procedures.
How to check your own scope
Start with the statute and the relevant board’s published rules and advisory opinions for your license. Then consider your training and competence, your employer’s policies, and the orders in place. If these disagree, take the narrowest.
Common mistakes
- Believing a certificate expands scope.
- Treating something as allowed because another state allows it.
- Not rechecking after a rule change.
Frequently asked
Who decides what is within my scope?
The licensing statute and board rules set the legal boundaries, and board advisory opinions explain how they apply. If you are unsure, ask your board and an attorney rather than relying on an employer or trainer.
Can a training course expand my scope?
No. A course teaches skills. It cannot enlarge what your license permits. It can help establish competence for something that is already within your scope.
Educational information only, not legal or clinical advice. Rules and Board positions change, so confirm current requirements with the relevant Arizona licensing board and an Arizona healthcare attorney.