According to the six key elements, at what level is the number of PAs a physician may practice with determined?

• A. National level
• B. State board
• C. Practice level
• D. Individual physician

Answer: (C)

Supervision structure and how many PAs a physician can supervise is set at the practice level. This reflects real-world clinic needs: patient volume and complexity, available supervision time, workflow, and the specific skills of the PAs on the team. While state regulations may outline general supervision requirements and physicians remain responsible for overseeing care, the exact number of PAs a single physician can supervise is typically determined by the practice’s policies, resources, and patient-care demands rather than a national standard or automatic board rule. This makes the practice level the most appropriate answer because it captures how teams are organized and how safe, efficient care is maintained in daily operations.