Role guide

Collaborating physician for NPs and PAs.

A collaborating physician covers state collaboration or supervision rules for nurse practitioners and physician assistants. It is not a friendly PC owner and not a medical director substitute for CPOM ownership.

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What a collaborating physician is

State law often requires NPs and PAs to practice with a collaborating or supervising physician. The agreement covers chart review, consultation availability, prescribing authority where relevant, and meeting cadence. Requirements vary by state and by license type.

Foundry matches collaborating physicians when your clinical model needs them — alongside, not instead of, a compliant PC structure.

Collaborating physician vs friendly PC owner vs medical director

Many telehealth and NP-led clinics need both a PC owner and a collaborating physician. Ask which roles your states require on a call.

How Foundry helps

We scope your states and clinical model, then match the roles you actually need. MSO-PC formation is $15,000 one-time for the states in scope. Friendly / multi-state PC owner matching is $3,000/mo. Collaborating physician matching is scoped on a call — it is a distinct service from PC ownership.

Related: MSO-PC formation, CPOM compliance, CPOM 50-state guide, FAQ.

Last reviewed 2026-09-01. Foundry PC is not a law firm. General information only, not legal advice.

Further reading

Need a collaborating physician?

Book a free 20-minute call. Tell us your states, NP/PA mix, and whether you also need a PC owner.

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