Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam Has Signed A Bill Allowing Most Nurse Practitioners To Gain The Autonomy To Practice Without A Physician’s Oversight. A Statement From The Virginia Council Of Nurse Practitioners Called It A “Spectacular Moment.” The Bill Allows Most Types Of Nurse Practitioners With Five Years Of Full-Time Clinical Experience To Earn Approval To Practice Without Maintaining A Contract With A Supervising Physician.The Bill’s Supporters Said The Contracts Were A Burden And Doing Away With Them Could Expand Access To Care.