Question

where to find prescriptive authority for advanced practice nurse in California?

Answer 1

Ans) Nurse practitioners (NPs) in California must practice under standardized procedures developed through collaboration among administrators and health professionals.

- California law does not specify a level of supervision that is required except for furnishing drugs or devices.

- NPs in California may furnish prescription drugs and or devices provided it is consistent with the NPs educational preparation or for which clinical competency has been established or maintained.

- Drugs or devices must be furnished pursuant to standardized procedure or protocol that specify which drugs or devices may be furnished, under what circumstances, and establish a method of periodic review by a supervising physician or surgeon.

- Physician supervision does not require physical presence, but the physician must be available by telephone at the time of patient examination.

- NPs are considered primary care providers under the California Medi-Cal program.

- In California, NPs may prescribe Schedule II-V controlled substances under the supervision of a physician.

- The NP may prescribe Schedule II-III controlled substances in accordance with a patient-specific protocol.

- California law also makes clear that NPs are not prohibited from furnishing buprenorphine-containing products as long as they do so in compliance with federal law meaning that a California NP with proper training or appropriate experience can receive a federal waiver to dispense buprenorphine-containing products, as long as the collaborating or supervising physician is certified, trained, or permitted to treat and manage patients with opioid use disorder.

- In California, there are currently no statutory or regulatory requirements for the certification of peer support specialists. Some nonprofit organizations provide credentialing programs involving education, experience requirements, and examinations.