Minnesota collaborating physician requirements reflect a full-practice-authority state with specific structured collaboration obligations during the early career periods for nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, and physician assistants. Minnesota NPs and CNSs entering the profession for the first time must complete 2,080 hours of collaborative practice in a hospital or integrated clinical setting before functioning as fully independent practitioners. Once that requirement is met, no physician collaboration agreement is required. Minnesota PAs must also complete 2,080 hours in a collaborative setting, after which they practice under an established practice agreement with a physician.
For physicians in Minnesota, the collaboration framework is most active during these defined early-career periods and for PAs operating under ongoing established practice agreements. This guide covers every requirement a physician needs to understand in 2026, including the significant legislative developments that may change the NP collaborative practice requirement before the end of this session.
Minnesota Collaborating Physician Overview: Where Minnesota Stands
Minnesota is classified as a full-practice-authority state by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. Fully licensed Minnesota APRNs may practice, diagnose, and prescribe without physician oversight. The state’s collaboration requirement is a pre-licensure threshold for NPs and CNSs, not an ongoing career-long obligation.
Governing Bodies
Two regulatory bodies govern provider practice in Minnesota:
- Minnesota Board of Nursing (MBN): Governs NP and CNS licensure, the 2,080-hour collaborative practice requirement for initial licensure applicants, prescriptive authority, and disciplinary matters under Minn. Stat. § 148.211 and related administrative rules.
- Minnesota Board of Medical Practice (MBP): Governs physician licensure, PA licensure, PA collaborative practice agreements, established practice agreements, and disciplinary matters under Minn. Stat. § 147A.
NP and CNS Practice Authority: Full Independence After Licensure
Once a Minnesota NP or CNS has satisfied the licensure requirements, including completion of the 2,080-hour collaborative practice requirement if it applies, the practitioner functions as a fully independent provider.
What Minnesota APRNs May Do Without a Physician
A fully licensed Minnesota APRN may independently:
- Assess and diagnose patients within their scope
- Prescribe medications including controlled substances with a DEA registration
- Order and interpret diagnostic tests
- Manage acute and chronic conditions
- Practice in any setting consistent with their certification category
No standardized procedures, collaborative practice agreement, or physician involvement of any kind is required for a fully licensed Minnesota APRN’s clinical practice or prescribing.
Collaboration as a Professional Standard
Under Minn. Stat. § 148.171(3), collaboration is defined as the process in which two or more health care professionals work together to meet the health care needs of a patient, as warranted by the patient’s condition and the competencies of the providers. This is a professional practice standard describing how good care works, not a regulatory requirement tied to a physician agreement.
The 2,080-Hour Collaborative Practice Requirement: What New NPs Must Complete
Under Minn. Stat. § 148.211, subd. 1c, a nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist who qualifies for licensure as an APRN must practice for at least 2,080 hours, within the context of a collaborative agreement, within a hospital or integrated clinical setting where APRNs and physicians work together to provide patient care.
Key Features of This Requirement
- The 2,080-hour period must occur in a hospital or integrated clinical setting where APRNs and physicians work together as part of the institutional structure
- The requirement applies to NPs and CNSs qualifying for initial APRN licensure
- The NP submits written evidence to the board with the application, or upon completion of the required collaborative practice experience
What the Collaborative Agreement Must Address
For purposes of the 2,080-hour initial licensure requirement, a collaborative agreement is a mutually agreed upon plan for the overall working relationship between the NP or CNS and one or more physicians licensed under chapter 147, or in another state or United States territory, that designates the scope of collaboration necessary to manage the care of patients.
The key features of this agreement are:
- At least one collaborating physician must have experience providing care to patients with the same or similar medical conditions as those the NP will be treating
- The collaborating physician is not required to be physically present so long as the collaborating physician and NP are or can be easily in contact with each other by radio, telephone, or other telecommunication device
Who Can Serve as the Collaborating Physician
The collaborating physician must:
- Be a physician licensed under chapter 147 (Minnesota) or licensed in another state or United States territory
- Have experience providing care to patients with the same or similar medical conditions as the NP’s patient population
The physician does not need to practice in the same specialty as the NP in a formal alignment sense, but must have relevant patient care experience. A family medicine physician collaborating with a family NP satisfies the standard clearly. The physician does not need to be employed by the same institution.
What the Collaborative Agreement for New NPs Must Contain
The Minnesota Board of Nursing’s guidance and the statutory requirements define what the collaborative agreement for the 2,080-hour period must address:
1. Scope of Collaboration
The agreement must designate the scope of collaboration necessary to manage the care of patients. This must reflect the actual clinical environment in which the NP is practicing and the types of patients being cared for.
2. Physician Experience Alignment
The agreement must reflect that at least one collaborating physician has experience providing care to patients with the same or similar medical conditions as those in the NP’s practice. The physician must be able to genuinely support the NP’s clinical development in the setting.
3. Availability Structure
The agreement must establish how the physician will be available to the NP. Physical presence is not required, but the physician and NP must be easily reachable by telephone or telecommunications when needed.
4. Evidence of Hours for Board Submission
The NP must submit written evidence to the MBN of completion of the 2,080-hour requirement either with the licensure application or upon completion. The collaborating professional verifies practice hours as part of this process. The Minnesota Board of Nursing calls this the Initiation of Practice paperwork.
The 2025 to 2026 Legislative Context: HF 1794 and the Pending Repeal
House File 1794, introduced in the Minnesota House in March 2025 and amended in March 2026, proposes to repeal Minn. Stat. § 148.211, subd. 1c, which is the subdivision containing the 2,080-hour collaborative practice requirement for NPs and CNSs. The bill would eliminate this initial licensure collaborative practice requirement effective August 1, 2025 and apply to any NP completing the requirement or submitting an application for licensure on or after that date.
What HF 1794 Would Change
If enacted, HF 1794 would remove the requirement for NPs and CNSs qualifying for initial APRN licensure to complete 2,080 hours in a hospital or integrated collaborative setting. NPs would move directly from national certification to full APRN licensure without an intermediate collaborative practice period.
Current Status
As of the publication date of this guide, HF 1794 has not been enacted and Minn. Stat. § 148.211, subd. 1c remains in effect. Physicians working with NPs pursuing initial APRN licensure in Minnesota should monitor the status of this legislation, as its passage would eliminate the primary initial-licensure physician collaboration requirement for NPs in the state.
Where Active Physician Collaboration Still Applies: The PA Framework
Regardless of how the NP legislation resolves, physician collaboration for PAs in Minnesota is active and ongoing. Under Minn. Stat. § 147A.02, Minnesota PAs operate in a two-phase collaboration model.
Phase 1: The 2,080-Hour Initial Collaborative Practice Requirement
A physician assistant who qualifies for licensure must practice for at least 2,080 hours, within the context of a collaborative agreement, within a hospital or integrated clinical setting where physician assistants and physicians work together to provide patient care. The PA submits written evidence to the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice of completion of this requirement.
A collaborative agreement for this purpose means a mutually agreed upon plan for the overall working relationship between the PA and one or more physicians licensed under chapter 147 or in another state or United States territory, that designates the scope of collaboration necessary to manage the care of patients.
At least one collaborating physician must have experience in providing care to patients with the same or similar medical conditions as those the PA will treat. The physician is not required to be physically present so long as the PA and physician are or can be easily in contact by telecommunications.
Phase 2: The Established Practice Agreement After 2,080 Hours
After completing the 2,080-hour initial collaborative practice period, a licensed Minnesota PA practices under an established practice agreement with a physician. This is the ongoing framework that governs the PA’s day-to-day clinical practice after the initial licensure threshold is met.
Under Minn. Stat. § 147A.02, a physician assistant who has completed the 2,080-hour requirement shall not practice except pursuant to an established practice agreement with a physician who is licensed under chapter 147. The established practice agreement defines the scope of the PA’s practice, how collaboration will occur, and the physician’s availability and oversight role.
The 2,080-Hour Collaborative Practice Requirement for New PAs
The PA’s initial 2,080-hour collaborative practice requirement under Minn. Stat. § 147A.02(c) mirrors the structure of the NP requirement with one significant difference noted in the 2025 legislation: the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice passed a motion in January 2025 to support allowing the 2,080 hours to be completed with a physician licensed in Minnesota or any other state or United States territory, rather than only with a Minnesota-licensed physician.
The Minnesota Board of Medical Practice’s January 2025 Support
The Board passed a motion at its January 11, 2025 business meeting supporting proposed changes to Minn. Stat. § 147A.02(c) that would allow a PA’s required 2,080 collaborative practice hours to be with a physician licensed in Minnesota or another state or United States territory. That proposed language was introduced as SF 1083/HF 89 in the 2025 session.
Practical Implications
If enacted, this change would allow PAs who completed their initial collaborative practice hours with a physician in another state to count those hours toward the Minnesota requirement when applying for licensure in Minnesota. This would be particularly relevant for PAs who trained or practiced in other states before moving to Minnesota.
The Collaborative Practice Attestation Form
The Minnesota Board of Medical Practice provides a Collaborative Practice Attestation Form (updated January 2026) that PAs must complete and submit to the Board. The form requires confirmation that the PA has or has not completed 2,080 hours of collaborative practice with a licensed physician outside of an education program and requests identifying information about the collaborating physician.
The Established Practice Agreement After 2,080 Hours
Once a Minnesota PA has completed the 2,080-hour initial collaborative practice period and is fully licensed, the PA practices under an established practice agreement with a physician. This is an ongoing requirement.
What the Established Practice Agreement Governs
The established practice agreement describes the scope of the PA’s authorized clinical practice, how the physician will be available for consultation, and the degree and nature of collaboration. Under Minn. Stat. § 147A.02, the PA must not practice except pursuant to this agreement.
Availability Standard
The collaborating physician in an established practice agreement must be accessible to the PA. Physical presence at the practice site is not required. The physician must be reachable by telephone or telecommunications when the PA needs consultation or referral support.
No Ratio Limit
Minnesota does not impose a statutory cap on the number of PAs a physician may have established practice agreements with simultaneously.
No Geographic Proximity Requirement
Minnesota does not impose a geographic proximity requirement for established practice agreements. A physician in Minneapolis may serve as the collaborating physician for a PA practice in Duluth without any distance restriction.
CRNA-Specific Physician Collaboration Requirements
Minnesota has specific physician collaboration requirements for CRNAs in certain clinical contexts that do not apply to NPs or CNSs.
Nonsurgical Pain Therapies for Acute and Chronic Pain
Under Minn. Stat. § 148.171, for purposes of providing nonsurgical therapies for acute and chronic pain symptoms, the registered nurse anesthetist and one or more physicians licensed under chapter 147 must have a mutually agreed upon plan that designates the scope of collaboration necessary for providing those therapies to patients. The CRNA must perform the nonsurgical therapies at the same licensed health care facility as the physician.
Prescribing for Chronic Pain Nonsurgical Therapies
For purposes of providing nonsurgical pain therapies for chronic pain symptoms, the CRNA must have a written prescribing agreement with a physician that defines the delegated responsibilities related to prescribing drugs and therapeutic devices within the scope of the agreement and the CRNA’s practice. This prescribing agreement is required specifically for the chronic pain prescribing context.
Other CRNA Anesthesia Practice
For standard anesthesia care outside the nonsurgical pain therapy contexts, no physician collaboration agreement is required for Minnesota CRNAs.
Prescriptive Authority in Minnesota
APRN Prescribing
Fully licensed Minnesota APRNs may prescribe medications including Schedule II through V controlled substances with a valid DEA registration. No physician agreement, protocol, or authorization is required for prescribing by a licensed Minnesota APRN outside the initial 2,080-hour collaborative period.
PA Prescribing
Minnesota PAs may prescribe medications within the scope of their established practice agreement. The PA must hold a DEA registration for controlled substance prescribing. The established practice agreement should describe the prescribing scope authorized for the PA.
Common Compliance Considerations for Minnesota Collaborating Physicians
Most Minnesota collaboration compliance issues in the current framework involve the 2,080-hour period documentation, PA established practice agreement content, and CRNA pain management collaboration structure.
- Not verifying the NP’s or PA’s hours status before structuring the arrangement. Whether the provider is in the 2,080-hour initial collaborative period or post-completion changes the nature of the collaboration agreement required. Treating a fully licensed independent NP as though they need an ongoing physician agreement creates a compliance misunderstanding.
- Collaborative agreement for new NP or PA does not confirm physician’s relevant experience. The physician serving as the collaborator during the 2,080-hour period must have experience treating patients with the same or similar medical conditions as the NP or PA’s patient population. An agreement that does not reflect this experience alignment may not satisfy the statutory standard.
- PA established practice agreement not in place after licensure. After the 2,080-hour requirement is completed, a fully licensed Minnesota PA must have an established practice agreement with a physician. A PA who completed the initial requirement but operates without an established practice agreement is practicing without the required ongoing structure.
- CRNA pain management collaboration not structured correctly. CRNAs providing nonsurgical pain therapies must have a mutually agreed upon plan with a physician at the same licensed facility. CRNAs prescribing for chronic pain nonsurgical therapies must have a written prescribing agreement. These are separate and specific requirements that apply only in the pain management context.
Minnesota Collaborating Physician Requirements: Quick Reference
NP and CNS Practice Authority
- Minnesota is a full-practice-authority state for APRNs
- Fully licensed NPs and CNSs practice independently without any physician agreement
Initial 2,080-Hour Collaborative Practice Requirement (NPs and CNSs)
- Applies to NPs and CNSs qualifying for initial APRN licensure
- Must occur in a hospital or integrated clinical setting where APRNs and physicians work together
- Collaborative agreement required: mutually agreed upon plan, at least one physician with experience treating similar patients
- Physical presence not required; telecommunications contact sufficient
- NP submits evidence of completion to the MBN with licensure application or upon completion
- HF 1794 (2025 to 2026 session): Proposes to repeal this requirement; not yet enacted
PA Practice Framework (Active Ongoing Requirement)
- Initial 2,080-hour collaborative practice in hospital or integrated setting required for PA licensure
- After 2,080 hours: ongoing established practice agreement with physician required under Minn. Stat. § 147A.02
- Collaborative Practice Attestation Form submitted to MBP
- SF 1083/HF 89: Proposes allowing hours with physician licensed in any U.S. state or territory; MBP supported in January 2025
CRNA Collaboration
- Nonsurgical pain therapies for acute and chronic pain: mutually agreed upon plan with physician at same facility required
- Nonsurgical pain therapy prescribing for chronic pain: written prescribing agreement with physician required
- Standard anesthesia care: no physician agreement required
Physician Eligibility
- Licensed under Minn. Stat. chapter 147 (Minnesota) or in another state or territory
- Must have experience treating patients with same or similar conditions as the NP or PA
- No geographic proximity requirement; no ratio limit
Clinics Also Need to Understand Minnesota Collaboration Requirements
While this guide primarily covers the physician collaboration framework in Minnesota, these regulations directly affect clinics that employ NPs or PAs in their early career periods and those that rely on PA-physician established practice agreements for ongoing operations. In many cases, clinic owners researching Minnesota collaboration rules are trying to understand whether their specific provider has completed the 2,080-hour requirement, whether a collaborative agreement or established practice agreement is in place, and what role legislative changes may play in their planning.
Need Help Finding a Minnesota Collaborating Physician?
For clinics employing PAs or new NPs in the 2,080-hour period, the next challenge is finding a qualified physician who has experience treating patients with similar conditions, understands the Minnesota collaborative practice structure, and is willing to execute either a collaborative agreement for the initial period or an ongoing established practice agreement for licensed PAs. Whether you are launching a new PA-operated clinic, supporting a new NP through the initial licensure collaborative period, or managing established practice agreements for licensed PAs, having the right physician relationship in place is essential.
If your clinic is actively looking for a Minnesota collaborating physician, our team can match you with a qualified physician, often within 24 to 48 hours. We work with clinics across Minnesota to simplify the physician matching process while supporting collaborative agreement and established practice agreement documentation, hours tracking, and long-term collaboration needs.
Final Thoughts
Minnesota collaborating physician requirements reflect a state that has built a clear and time-limited initial collaboration framework for NPs and CNSs while maintaining ongoing PA established practice agreement obligations. NPs who complete the 2,080-hour initial requirement become fully independent practitioners. PAs remain in an established practice agreement structure with a physician throughout their career. CRNAs in pain management contexts have specific collaboration obligations that do not apply to other APRNs.
For physicians in the Minnesota market, the active collaboration opportunities are concentrated in the initial 2,080-hour NP and CNS period (while that requirement remains in law), the ongoing PA established practice agreement structure, and the CRNA pain management collaboration context. Understanding which structure applies to the specific provider at each stage is the foundation of a compliant Minnesota collaboration arrangement.
Build a Compliant Minnesota Collaboration With Collaborating Physician
Are you looking for a collaborating physician role in Minnesota? If you are a licensed Minnesota physician interested in a structured, compliant collaboration arrangement, Collaborating Physician handles the infrastructure so you do not have to figure it out alone. The platform connects licensed physicians with vetted clinics across Minnesota and 50-plus other states. Every arrangement is built to meet state-specific requirements, including Minnesota’s 2,080-hour initial collaborative practice framework under Minn. Stat. § 148.211 and § 147A.02, the established practice agreement structure for licensed PAs, physician experience alignment requirements, the CRNA pain management collaboration obligations, and the Collaborative Practice Attestation Form requirements for PA licensure. Physicians receive compliance support throughout the collaboration, not just at the start. Applications take under ten minutes. Clinic matches typically happen within 24 to 48 hours. There is no cost to physicians at any stage.
If you are a clinic owner who found this page, we have something for you as well. Collaborating Physician also matches Minnesota clinics with qualified, vetted collaborating physicians who have relevant experience treating patients similar to the NP’s or PA’s patient population, understand the distinction between the initial 2,080-hour collaborative period and the established practice agreement for licensed PAs, and are prepared to support providers through both phases of Minnesota’s framework. Whether you are launching a new clinic, supporting an NP through the initial licensure requirement, or maintaining established practice agreements for licensed PAs, the network is active and placements happen within 24 to 48 hours. For clinics looking for a collaborating physician, get matched fast.
Disclaimer: This content is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal or medical advice. Minnesota healthcare regulations may change, including through pending legislation in the 2025 to 2026 session. Always verify current requirements directly with the Minnesota Board of Nursing, the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice, and a qualified healthcare attorney before making any practice decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a licensed Minnesota NP need a collaborating physician?
No. Once fully licensed as an APRN, a Minnesota NP or CNS may practice, diagnose, and prescribe without any physician collaboration agreement. Minnesota is a full-practice-authority state. The 2,080-hour collaborative practice requirement applies only during the initial licensure process, not after full licensure is granted.
What is the 2,080-hour collaborative practice requirement for Minnesota NPs?
Under Minn. Stat. § 148.211, subd. 1c, a nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist qualifying for initial APRN licensure must complete at least 2,080 hours of collaborative practice in a hospital or integrated clinical setting where APRNs and physicians work together. A collaborative agreement must be in place during this period. At least one collaborating physician must have experience treating patients with similar medical conditions. Once the 2,080 hours are complete, the NP submits evidence to the Minnesota Board of Nursing and becomes fully licensed.
What is HF 1794 and how would it affect the NP collaborative practice requirement?
House File 1794, introduced in 2025 and amended in March 2026, proposes to repeal the 2,080-hour collaborative practice requirement for NPs and CNSs qualifying for initial APRN licensure. If enacted, it would eliminate the requirement effective August 1, 2025 for new applicants. As of the publication date of this guide, HF 1794 has not been enacted and the requirement remains in effect.
Do Minnesota PAs need a collaborating physician after completing the 2,080-hour requirement?
Yes. After completing the 2,080-hour initial collaborative practice requirement, a licensed Minnesota PA must practice pursuant to an established practice agreement with a physician under Minn. Stat. § 147A.02. This ongoing established practice agreement is a permanent requirement for licensed Minnesota PAs, not a transitional one.
Do Minnesota CRNAs need a collaborating physician?
Only in specific clinical contexts. Under Minn. Stat. § 148.171, CRNAs providing nonsurgical pain therapies for acute and chronic pain must have a mutually agreed upon plan with a physician at the same licensed facility. CRNAs prescribing for nonsurgical chronic pain therapies must have a written prescribing agreement with a physician. For standard anesthesia practice outside these contexts, no physician collaboration agreement is required.
Does a Minnesota collaborating physician need to practice near the NP’s or PA’s clinic?
No. Minnesota does not impose a geographic proximity requirement. The physician and NP or PA must be easily in contact by telecommunications, but physical co-location is not required.
