Unlicensed assistive personnel (
UAP) is a class of
paraprofessionals who assist individuals with
physical disabilities, mental impairments, and other
health care needs with their activities of daily living (ADLs) and provide bedside care — including basic nursing procedures — all under the supervision of a
registered nurse,
licensed practical nurse or other
health care professional. They provide care for
patients in
hospitals, residents of
nursing facilities, clients in private homes, and others in need of their services due to effects of
old age or
disability. UAPs, by definition, do not hold a license or other
mandatory professional requirements for practice, though many hold various certifications. They are collectively categorized under the group "Personal care workers in health services" in the
International Standard Classification of Occupations, 2008 revision.