> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.elationhealth.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# The Practice Object

> An Elation practice account, with its name, main address, time zone, and the providers and service locations that belong to it.

## In the EHR

A practice is the account in Elation that a clinic's providers, staff, and patient charts belong to. Its main address is held by the Primary Location, the first entry in the practice's list of locations in Settings, alongside any other locations where the practice sees patients. See the [Practice Locations Guide](/articles/adding-a-second-practice-location).

## Working with practices via the API

**Updating the practice's address also updates its primary service location.** A `PUT` or `PATCH` that changes `address_line1`, `address_line2`, `city`, `state`, or `zip` copies the new values onto the practice's primary service location, and creates one if the practice has none. The location's `name` is not changed. If you keep a copy of the primary service location, retrieve it again after changing the practice's address.

**`service_locations` includes deleted locations.** The embedded list holds every service location the practice has had, including ones removed with `DELETE`. Check each location's `deleted_date` when you need only the locations the practice currently uses.

**`physicians` lists active providers only.** It holds the ids of providers with an active user account in the practice. Deactivated providers are returned by [List Physicians](/articles/rest/practice-api/physicians/list-physicians), with `is_active` set to `false`. Use that endpoint when you need the practice's full provider roster.

## Field notes

* `service_locations` is documented separately. See [The Service Location Object](/articles/rest/practice-api/service-locations/the-service-location-object).