District Of Columbia § 3-1206.41 - Scope of practice.
Full text of District Of Columbia D.C. Code § 3-1206.41 — Scope of practice., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 3-1206.41. Scope of practice.
3-1206.41A surgical assistant shall be licensed by the Board of Medicine before practicing as a surgical assistant within the District of Columbia.
An individual licensed to practice as a surgical assistant, as that practice is defined in shall have the authority to:
Provide local infiltration or the topical application of a local anesthetic and hemostatic agents at the operative site;
Incise tissues;
Ligate and approximate tissues with sutures and clamps;
Apply tourniquets, casts, immobilizers, and surgical dressings;
Check the placement and operation of equipment;
Assist in moving and positioning the patient;
Assist the surgeon in draping the patient;
Prepare a patient by cleaning, shaving, and sterilizing the incision area;
Retract tissue and expose the operating field area during operative procedures;
Place suture ligatures and clamp, tie, and clip blood vessels to control bleeding during surgical entry;
Use cautery for hemostasis under direct supervision;
Assist in closure of skin and subcutaneous tissue;
Assist in the cleanup of the surgical suite; and
Check and restock the surgical suite.
A surgical assistant shall not:
Perform any surgical procedure independently;
Have prescriptive authority; or
Write any progress notes or orders on hospitalized patients, except operative notes.
A supervising surgeon shall perform the critical portions of a surgical procedure and shall remain immediately available in the surgical suite for delegated acts that the surgical assistant performs or to respond to any emergency. Telecommunication shall not suffice as a means for directing delegated acts.
For the purposes of this section, the term “supervising surgeon” means a surgeon licensed by the Board who delegates to a licensed surgical assistant surgical assisting and oversees and accepts responsibility for the surgical assisting.
Annotations
Source: official District Of Columbia text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About District Of Columbia § 3-1206.41
What does D.C. Code § 3-1206.41 cover?
Section 3-1206.41 ("Scope of practice.") is part of the D.C. Code, the codified statutory law of District Of Columbia. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite District Of Columbia § 3-1206.41?
A common citation format is "D.C. Code § 3-1206.41" (District Of Columbia). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of District Of Columbia law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the District Of Columbia official source linked on this page or consult a licensed District Of Columbia attorney.
How does District Of Columbia § 3-1206.41 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in District Of Columbia can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in District Of Columbia.