Can a nurse practitioner prescribe controlled substances

Alabama Yes NPs may prescribe Schedule III, IV, and V medications, but not Schedule II. NPs must complete approved courses in advanced pharmacology and prescribing trends in order to receive certification for prescribing controlled substances.
NPs must demonstrate 12 months of safe practice to be approved for a controlled substance certificate. Collaborative agreements may permit NPs to prescribe certain hydrocodone combinations reclassified from Schedule III to Schedule II. Alaska No NPs may prescribe Schedule II, III, IV, and V medications. NPs must complete 15 hours of advanced pharmacology and clinical management of drug therapy coursework. NPs must submit an application to the state board of nursing in order to prescribe medications, and renew their authority every two years. Arizona No NPs may prescribe Schedule II, III, IV, and V medications, but may not include refills for Schedule II medications. NPs must complete 45 hours of pharmacology and/or clinical management of drug therapy coursework. NPs must apply to both their state board of nursing and the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) for full prescriptive authority. Arkansas Some NPs may prescribe Schedule III, IV, and V medications, but only certain Schedule II medications. NPs must obtain a certificate for full independent practice authority, which requires an NP to complete 6,240 hours of supervised practice under a physician. A bill passed in March of 2021 states that NPs who have obtained a certificate for full independent practice authority may prescribe drugs, medicines, or therapeutic devices in accordance with their scope of practice. California Some NPs currently need physician involvement when prescribing Schedule II and III medications. NPs currently need a furnishing number assigned from the Board of Nursing, as well as six months of physician-supervised experience, in order to prescribe medications within their scope of practice. A September 2020 bill granted full practice authority to NPs, and will go into effect in 2023. Colorado Some With provisional prescriptive authority, NPs may prescribe Schedule II, III, IV, and V medications. NPs must complete coursework in pathophysiology, pharmacology, and physical assessment.
NPs must complete 750 hours of supervised mentorship in order to earn provisional prescriptive authority. All NPs with prescriptive authority are assigned an identifier by the state board of nursing. Connecticut Some NPs may prescribe Schedule IV and V medications, but will need written physician collaboration for the first three years after licensure when prescribing Schedule II and III medications. NPs need a minimum of 30 hours of pharmacology coursework. After three years of physician collaboration, NPs may prescribe independently. Delaware No NPs may prescribe Schedule II, III, IV, and V medications. NPs must complete coursework in advanced health assessment, advanced pathophysiology, and advanced pharmacology as part of their licensure requirements. A June 2021 bill removed physician collaboration requirements, and granted NPs full prescriptive authority upon licensure. Florida Some NPs practicing autonomously may prescribe Schedule II, III, IV, and V medications. After completing 3,000 hours under physician supervision, NPs may apply for autonomous practice. None Georgia Yes If authorized, NPs may prescribe Schedule III, IV, and V medications with written collaboration from a physician. NPs must complete advanced pharmacology coursework. None Hawaii No NPs may prescribe Schedule II, III, IV, and V medications. NPs must complete 30 hours of advanced pharmacology coursework. None Idaho No NPs may prescribe Schedule II, III, IV, and V medications. NPs must complete 30 hours of advanced pharmacology coursework. None Illinois Yes If outlined in a collaborative agreement with a physician, NPs may prescribe Schedule III, IV, and V medications. Schedule II medications may be prescribed if delegated through the collaborating physician, and if additional requirements are met. NPs must complete at least 45 hours of pharmacology coursework as part of their graduate level education in order to prescribe Schedule II medications. None Indiana Yes If outlined in a written collaborative agreement with a physician, NPs may prescribe Schedule II, III, IV, and V medications. NPs must apply for Controlled Substances Registration (CSR). None Iowa No NPs may prescribe Schedule II, III, IV, and V medications. NPs must register with the DEA and the state board of pharmacy. None Kansas Yes Under a collaborative agreement with a supervising physician, NPs may prescribe Schedule II, III, IV, and V medications. Before prescribing controlled substances, NPs must register with the DEA and notify the state board of nursing None Kentucky Yes Under a collaborative agreement with a supervising physician, NPs may prescribe Schedule II, III, IV, and V medications. None After four years under a collaborative agreement with a physician, an NP may prescribe legend drugs independently. Louisiana Yes Under a collaborative agreement with a supervising physician, NPs may prescribe Schedule III, IV, and V medications. NPs will need authority from the board of nursing to prescribe Schedule II medications. NPs must complete 500 hours of clinical practice as an NP or in a preceptorship. They must also complete 45 contact hours of education in advanced pharmacotherapeutics and 45 contact hours of education in physiology. NPs must apply separately for prescriptive authority. Maine Some NPs may prescribe Schedule II, III, IV, and V medications. NPs prescribing controlled substances must first register with the DEA.
As part of the requirements for licensure, NPs must complete 45 contact hours in pharmacology. After practicing for at least 24 months under a supervising physician, NPs may be granted independent practice authority. Maryland Some NPs may prescribe Schedule II, III, IV, and V medications. As part of the requirements for licensure, NPs must complete coursework in advanced pharmacology, advanced pathophysiology, and advanced physical assessment. After 18 months in collaborative practice with a physician or an NP with full practice authority, NPs may be granted full practice authority. Massachusetts Yes NPs may prescribe Schedule II, III, IV, and V medications. NPs must complete 24 contact hours in pharmacotherapeutics that goes beyond what is acquired in a general nursing program. NPs must obtain a controlled substances registration (CSR) in order to prescribe medications. Michigan Yes If delegated by a physician, NPs may prescribe Schedule II, III, IV, and V medications. None NPs have their own DEA numbers, but they do not have a Controlled Substance License, which is needed to prescribe controlled substances independently. NPs are covered under their supervisory physician’s Controlled Substance License. Minnesota No NPs may prescribe Schedule II, III, IV, and V medications. None None Mississippi Yes After completing an educational program approved by the state board of nursing, NPs may prescribe Schedule II, III, IV, and V medications. NPs must complete 40 contact hours related to advanced clinical practice, two hours of which must be directly related to the prescription of controlled substances. None Missouri Yes If outlined in a collaborative agreement with a physician, NPs may prescribe Schedule II, III, IV, and V medications. NPs must complete three hours of graduate-level pharmacology education. None Montana No NPs may prescribe Schedule III, IV, and V medications. They may also prescribe Schedule II medications in emergency situations by phoning a pharmacist. NPs must complete 45 contact hours in pharmacology, pharmacotherapeutics, and clinical management of drug therapy in their area of specialty. NPs must apply separately for prescriptive authority through the state board of nursing. Nebraska Some NPs may prescribe all medications that fall under their scope of practice. This may include Schedule II, III, IV, and V medications. NPs must complete at least 30 hours of education in pharmacotherapeutics. After 2,000 hours of collaborative practice with a physician, NPs may prescribe without a collaborating physician. Nevada Some NPs may prescribe Schedule III, IV, and V medications independently. NPs require a collaborating physician for prescribing Schedule II medications. For prescriptive authority, NPs must pass an exam administered by the state board of nursing, and receive certification from the state board of pharmacy. After 2,000 hours or two years in a regulated relationship with a physician for prescribing schedule II substances, an NP may be granted full independent practice authority. New Hampshire No NPs may prescribe Schedule II, III, IV, and V medications. NPs generally must complete 480 hours of clinical nursing practice, including pharmacological interventions. None New Jersey Yes If they have a written collaborative agreement with a physician, NPs may prescribe Schedule II, III, IV, and V medications after consulting with the physician. NPs must complete coursework in pharmacology related to controlled substances. None New Mexico No NPs may prescribe Schedule II, III, IV, and V medications. NPs must apply for a state controlled substance license with the state board of pharmacy. None New York Yes Through a collaborative agreement with a supervising physician, NPs may prescribe Schedule II, III, IV, and V medications. As part of licensure, NPs must complete coursework in pharmacotherapeutics. None North Carolina Yes If outlined in a collaborative agreement with a supervising physician, NPs may prescribe Schedule II, III, IV, and V medications. As part of licensure, NPs must complete coursework in pharmacology. None North Dakota No NPs may prescribe Schedule II, III, IV, and V medications. NPs must complete 30 contact hours in pharmacotherapy related to their scope of practice. None Ohio Yes In collaboration with a physician, NPs may prescribe Schedule III, IV, and V medications. NPs may also prescribe Schedule II medications in collaboration with a physician, but only under certain conditions. NPs must complete 45 contact hours in advanced pharmacology, and a 1,500-hour externship None Oklahoma Yes In collaboration with a physician, NPs may prescribe Schedule III, IV, and V medications, but not Schedule II medications. NPs must complete 45 contact hours of continuing education or three academic credits of education in pharmacotherapeutics. None Oregon No NPs may prescribe Schedule II, III, IV, and V medications. NPs must complete 45 hours of pharmacology education, and complete a pharmacotherapeutic practicum under a physician, NP, or clinical nurse specialist with prescriptive authority. None Pennsylvania Yes If outlined in a written collaboration agreement with a physician, NPs may prescribe Schedule II, III, IV, and V medications. NPs must complete 45 hours of coursework in pharmacology, beyond what is required in traditional nursing programs. None Rhode Island No NPs may prescribe Schedule II, III, IV, and V medications. None None South Carolina Yes If listed within one’s specialty, and if outlined in a written collaborative agreement with a physician, NPs may prescribe Schedule II, III, IV, and V medications. NPs must complete 45 contact hours in pharmacotherapeutics, and, for controlled substances, 15 hours of education in controlled substances. None South Dakota Some NPs may prescribe Schedule II, III, IV, and V medications. None After completing 1,040 practice hours under physician supervision, NPs may be granted full independent practice authority. Tennessee Yes After consultation with a collaborating physician, NPs may prescribe Schedule II, III, IV, and V medications. NPs must complete three quarter-hours (or the equivalent) in pharmacology. To prescribe controlled substances, NPs must also receive a certificate of fitness from the state board of nursing. Texas Yes If outlined in a written agreement with a collaborating physician, NPs may prescribe Schedule II, III, IV, and V medications. NPs must complete coursework in pharmacotherapeutics, pathophysiology, advanced assessment, and diagnosis and management of problems within their clinical specialty. To prescribe controlled substances, NPs must file an application with the state’s Department of Public Safety for controlled substances registration (CSR). Utah No NPs may prescribe Schedule II, III, IV, and V medications. NPs must complete advanced coursework in patient assessment, diagnosis and treatment, and pharmacotherapeutics. None Vermont Some NPs may prescribe Schedule II, III, IV, and V medications. As part of licensure, NPs must complete coursework in advanced pathophysiology, advanced assessment, and pharmacotherapeutics. After 2,400 hours (or two years) spent in collaborative practice with a physician, NPs may be granted full independent practice authority. Virginia Some If certain conditions are met, NPs may prescribe Schedule II, III, IV, and V medications without a collaborative agreement with a physician. NPs must complete 30 contact hours in pharmacology or pharmacotherapeutics. After five years of clinical experience under a collaborating physician, NPs may be granted full independent practice authority. Washington No NPs may prescribe Schedule II, III, IV, and V medications. NPs must complete 30 hours of pharmacotherapeutics education. None Washington DC No NPs may prescribe Schedule II, III, IV, and V medications. NPs must complete a Controlled Substances Registration in order to prescribe controlled substances. None West Virginia Yes NPs may prescribe Schedule III, IV, and V medications, but not Schedule II medications. NPs must complete one undergraduate pharmacology course and 45 contact hours of graduate-level advanced pharmacology. NPs must complete a three-year transition to practice period before being authorized to independently prescribe Schedule III, IV, and V medications. Wisconsin Yes If delegated under a collaborative agreement with a physician, NPs may prescribe Schedule II, III, IV, and V medications. NPs must complete 45 contact hours in clinical pharmacology and must pass a jurisprudence examination. None Wyoming No NPs may prescribe Schedule II, III, IV, and V medications. None None

What drugs can NP not prescribe?

Nurse practitioners cannot prescribe narcotic medications without a federal Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) number. These medications, referred to as “controlled substances,” are often used in a healthcare setting for managing pain.

Can nurse practitioners prescribe Xanax?

So yes, nurse practitioners can write prescriptions for these anxiety medications in all 50 states, according to each state's guidelines for prescribing.

Can a nurse practitioner write prescriptions for Adderall?

Yes, nurse practitioners can prescribe medications in all 50 states. This includes the power to prescribe antibiotics, narcotics, and other schedule II drugs such as Adderall. However, whether this task requires physicians supervision depends on the practice authority of each state.

What can nurse practitioners prescribe in South Carolina?

In May 2018, Governor Henry McMaster expanded prescriptive authority, signing a bill into law granting nurse practitioners, certified nurse-midwives, and clinical nurse specialists the ability to prescribe Schedule II narcotic and non-narcotic medications subject to certain conditions and provided that the practice ...