2011 Indiana Code
TITLE 25. PROFESSIONS AND OCCUPATIONS
ARTICLE 27.5. PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS
CHAPTER 2. DEFINITIONS

IC 25-27.5-2
Chapter 2. Definitions

IC 25-27.5-2-1
Application of definitions
Sec. 1. The definitions in this chapter apply throughout this article.
As added by P.L.227-1993, SEC.11.

IC 25-27.5-2-1.5
Administer a drug
Sec. 1.5. "Administer a drug" means the direct application of a drug, whether by injection, inhalation, ingestion, or any other means, to the body of a patient.
As added by P.L.90-2007, SEC.8.

IC 25-27.5-2-2
Approved program
Sec. 2. "Approved program" means an educational program for physician assistants accredited:
(1) by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant; or
(2) before January 1, 2001, by:
(A) the Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation or its successor organization; or
(B) the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs or its successor organization.
As added by P.L.227-1993, SEC.11. Amended by P.L.288-2001, SEC.7; P.L.177-2009, SEC.49.

IC 25-27.5-2-3
Board
Sec. 3. "Board" refers to the medical licensing board of Indiana.
As added by P.L.227-1993, SEC.11.

IC 25-27.5-2-4
Repealed
(Repealed by P.L.288-2001, SEC.18.)

IC 25-27.5-2-4.5
Repealed
(Repealed by P.L.177-2009, SEC.63.)

IC 25-27.5-2-5
Committee
Sec. 5. "Committee" refers to the physician assistant committee established by IC 25-27.5-3-1.
As added by P.L.227-1993, SEC.11. Amended by P.L.2-1995, SEC.98.
IC 25-27.5-2-6
Dependent practice
Sec. 6. "Dependent practice" means the performance of an act, a duty, or a function delegated to a physician assistant by the supervising physician or physician designee.
As added by P.L.227-1993, SEC.11.

IC 25-27.5-2-7
Diagnosis
Sec. 7. "Diagnosis" means to determine the nature of a disease or other physical or mental condition.
As added by P.L.227-1993, SEC.11.

IC 25-27.5-2-7.3
Dispense
Sec. 7.3. "Dispense" means issuing medical devices or one (1) or more doses of a drug in a suitable container with appropriate labeling for subsequent administration to or use by a patient.
As added by P.L.90-2007, SEC.9.

IC 25-27.5-2-8
NCCPA
Sec. 8. "NCCPA" refers to the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.
As added by P.L.227-1993, SEC.11.

IC 25-27.5-2-9
Physician
Sec. 9. "Physician" means an individual who:
(1) holds the degree of doctor of medicine or doctor of osteopathy, or an equivalent degree; and
(2) holds an unlimited license under IC 25-22.5 to practice medicine or osteopathic medicine.
As added by P.L.227-1993, SEC.11.

IC 25-27.5-2-10
Physician assistant
Sec. 10. "Physician assistant" means an individual who:
(1) meets the qualifications under this article; and
(2) is licensed under this article.
As added by P.L.227-1993, SEC.11. Amended by P.L.288-2001, SEC.9; P.L.90-2007, SEC.10; P.L.177-2009, SEC.50.

IC 25-27.5-2-11
Physician designee
Sec. 11. "Physician designee" means a physician:
(1) who:
(A) works in; or
(B) is trained in;
the same practice area as the practice area of the supervising

physician; and
(2) to whom responsibility for the supervision of a physician assistant is temporarily designated when the supervising physician is unavailable.
As added by P.L.227-1993, SEC.11. Amended by P.L.90-2007, SEC.11; P.L.3-2008, SEC.189.

IC 25-27.5-2-12
Prescribe
Sec. 12. "Prescribe" means to direct, order, or designate the use of or manner of using a drug, medicine, or treatment by spoken or written words or other means.
As added by P.L.227-1993, SEC.11.

IC 25-27.5-2-13
Supervising physician
Sec. 13. "Supervising physician" means a physician licensed by the board who supervises and is responsible for a physician assistant.
As added by P.L.227-1993, SEC.11. Amended by P.L.197-2011, SEC.117.

IC 25-27.5-2-14
Supervision
Sec. 14. (a) "Supervision" means overseeing the activities of, and accepting responsibility for, the medical services rendered by a physician assistant and that the conditions set forth in subdivision (1) or (2) are met at all times that services are rendered or tasks are performed by the physician assistant:
(1) The supervising physician or the physician designee is physically present at the location at which services are rendered or tasks are performed by the physician assistant.
(2) Both of the following apply:
(A) The supervising physician or the physician designee is immediately available:
(i) through the use of telecommunications or other electronic means; and
(ii) for consultation, including being able to see the patient in person within twenty-four (24) hours if requested by the patient or the physician assistant.
(B) The supervising physician or the physician designee is in:
(i) the county of the physician assistant's practice; or
(ii) a contiguous county, including a county of a neighboring state, of the county containing the onsite location in which services are rendered or tasks are performed by the physician assistant.
The medical licensing board may permit an exception to the requirements of this clause after receiving an exceptional circumstance waiver request with the filed supervising agreement for each individual physician assistant and

practice location. An exception must be approved by the board before the commencement of the physician assistant's practice in the county that requires the exceptional circumstance waiver request.
(b) The term includes the use of protocols, guidelines, and standing orders developed or approved by the supervising physician.
As added by P.L.227-1993, SEC.11. Amended by P.L.90-2007, SEC.12; P.L.3-2008, SEC.190; P.L.197-2011, SEC.118.

IC 25-27.5-2-15
Trainee
Sec. 15. "Trainee" means an individual who is currently enrolled in an approved program.
As added by P.L.227-1993, SEC.11.