Nonphysician

Nonphysician is a term used in health care to describe individuals who provide clinical care but are not physicians (MD or DO). The exact definition varies by country and context, but it generally refers to providers regulated by licensure or certification other than physicians. Common examples include physician assistants, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, pharmacists, physical therapists, dentists, optometrists, and chiropractors. The term is often used in policy, administration, and billing to distinguish from physicians.

Scope of practice for nonphysician clinicians is defined by law and professional regulation and can include assessment, diagnosis, ordering tests, and prescribing medications in some jurisdictions, often under supervision, collaboration agreements, or with varying levels of independent authority.

Regulatory frameworks shape training requirements, credentialing, and accountability. In many health systems, nonphysician providers form teams with physicians to expand access to care, especially in primary care and rural areas. The term is sometimes criticized for being imprecise or stigmatizing; alternatives include non-physician clinician, non-physician provider, or job-specific titles.