Identifying your current scope of practice

This means there is a not a set list of activities that our professions can and cannot perform and this will vary from registrant to registrant. 

When you first join the Register, the standards of proficiency will be your guide. These set clear expectations of our registrants’ knowledge and abilities when they start practising. 

Your scope of practice may evolve with time, experience and additional qualifications. For example, as you progress in your career, you may enter into more specialist roles, for example as a clinical-academic or a strategic leader, where you are no longer meeting all the standards of proficiency. Your scope of practice will develop with you and may extend beyond the generally accepted scope of your profession.

Determining what is and is not part of your scope of practice will be for you to decide using your professional judgement.

When deciding whether a particular activity falls within your scope of practice, or when moving into a new scope of practice, you will need to consider whether the training and support you’ve received adequately equips you to perform the activity safely and effectively. 

You will also need to consider whether the activity falls within the generally accepted scope of practice of your profession, including considering if additional professional indemnity arrangements are required to cover all of your individual scope of practice 

Your scope of practice may also depend on the limits of your job role and legal restrictions, such as prescribing or protected functions). 

While your scope of practice is determined by the role you are filling at the time, it is not explicitly tied to a pay grade from a regulatory perspective. 

You may find it helpful to speak to your professional body who may be able to offer further advice in this area. 

When thinking about your scope of practice, ask yourself the following: 

1. Do I have the knowledge, skills, and experience to carry out the activity safely and effectively? 
2. How can I demonstrate that the activities within my scope of practice meet service user needs, for example via standards, guidance, policies, research and audit data? 
3. Can I complete training or receive other support, such as supervision, that will give me the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to carry out the activity safely and effectively? 
4. Is the activity restricted by law, for example prescribing, and, if so, can I legally do it? 
5. Does my professional indemnity arrangement, including organisational policies and insurance, cover the activity? 

You can also see other resources within this section for further guidance.