Final answer:
The guideline that is not in place to help health care practitioners stay within their scope of practice and operate within the law is engaging in fraudulent billing practices.
Step-by-step explanation:
The guideline that is not in place to help health care practitioners stay within their scope of practice and operate within the law is engaging in fraudulent billing practices. The other three options, obtaining proper licensure and credentials, following ethical standards and professional codes of conduct, and providing appropriate and necessary care to patients, are all guidelines that help health care practitioners stay within their scope of practice and operate within the law.