Practice Agreements

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Tom Davis

Prohibits and voids any practice or collaborative agreements that restrict APNs (NPs, CNSs, CNMs) from treating patients within their scope in SC.

Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry

Overview

Purpose: Prohibit practice agreements for advanced practice nursing (APN) providers in South Carolina. The bill declares practice agreements as against the public policy of the state and makes them prohibited, void, and unenforceable.

Jurisdiction: South Carolina

Session: 2025-2026

Sponsor: Primary sponsor not listed; co-sponsor Tom Davis

Status: Introduced and referred to the Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry (as of 2026-05-05)

What the bill would do

Core intent

Declares that certain collaborative or “practice” agreements involving APN providers are not permissible under state law and public policy.

Specifically targets and restricts the practice agreements between APN providers (nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, or certified nurse midwives) and other entities or individuals that would limit the APN’s ability to treat patients within their educational and clinical scope.

Provisions and prohibitions

New Article and Policy Declaration (Section 41-7-310):

Affirms that the right to work for APNs licensed to practice in South Carolina must not be denied or abridged by practice agreements.
Declares that practice agreements restrict patient choice and are against South Carolina public policy.

Prohibition of Practice Agreements (Section 41-7-320):

States that any practice agreement (including those defined in existing law under Section 40-33-20(45)) that imposes terms on collaborative practice, employment, or any professional relationship which restricts an APN’s ability to treat patients within their scope is prohibited, void, and unenforceable.
Applies to APNs licensed under Title 40, Chapter 33 (which governs advanced practice nursing in SC).

Who is affected

Affected professionals: Nurse practitioners (NPs), clinical nurse specialists (CNSs), and certified nurse midwives (CNMs) who are licensed to practice advanced practice nursing in South Carolina and hold licenses in good standing.

Impact on practice relationships: Any current or future practice agreements that attempt to limit the APN’s independent patient treatment within their scope—whether defined as “collaborative practice agreements,” employment contracts, or other professional relationships—would be invalid and unenforceable.

Practical and timeline implications

Effective date: The act becomes effective upon the Governor’s approval.

Regulatory impact: If enacted, healthcare facilities, clinics, hospitals, and other employers would need to remove or avoid terms that restrict APN practice in line with the bill’s prohibition.

Enforcement: Provisions describe the practice agreements as void and unenforceable, implying potential legal challenges or disputes could arise if such agreements are imposed.

Key takeaways

The bill seeks to remove mandatory collaborative or practice agreements for APNs in South Carolina.

It emphasizes patient access and APN autonomy, asserting that restrictive practice agreements conflict with public policy.

It would require changes to employment and collaborative arrangements involving NPs, CNSs, and CNMs to ensure compliance with the new policy declaration.

If you want, I can provide a concise one-page briefing or a side-by-side comparison with current law to illustrate exact changes.

Bill