Nurse Practitioner Prescriptive Authority by State

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Nurse practitioners can prescribe medications in states with prescriptive authority. Find out NP prescriptive authority by state.

Nurse prescribing medication to patient

Credit: Getty Images

Nurse practitioner (NP) prescriptive authority varies according to state laws. Many states allow NPs to administer, dispense, prescribe, and procure medications. However, some jurisdictions require a collaborative practice agreement between an NP and a physician. Other states limit the duration of the prescription (e.g., five-day or 30-day supplies only) or the types and purposes of the drugs prescribed.

Find out more about which states nurse practitioners can prescribe medication in this guide.

What is Nurse Practitioner Prescriptive Authority?

Nurse practitioner prescriptive authority allows NPs to prescribe medications. The American Association of Nurse Practitioners divides prescriptive authority into three categories:

Full practice permits NPs to prescribe independently.
Reduced practice may require a collaborative practice agreement with a physician or limits on the prescribed medications.
Restricted practice requires physician supervision or delegation when prescribing controlled substances.

Each state’s board of nursing regulates NP prescriptive and practice authority. Federal law classifies controlled substances into schedule categories.

Schedule II includes substances with high abuse potential, such as amphetamine, codeine, and hydrocodone.
Schedule III substances have less abuse potential and include compounds that contain limited Schedule II drugs, such as Tylenol with codeine.
Schedule IV, with lower abuse potential than Schedule III drugs, includes barbital and Xanax.
Schedule V, with the lowest abuse potential, consists of preparations with limited quantities of narcotics and stimulants, such as analgesics.

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Nurse Practitioner Prescriptive Authority by State Map

The map and table below illustrate the different nurse practitioner prescriptive authority rules in each U.S. state. Because a state’s prescriptive authority designation may change, be sure to check with your state’s nursing board for the latest information.

States’ prescriptive authority laws include full, reduced, and restricted categories. But, variations exist, including limits or restrictions on prescribing particular drugs, where and how certain substances are prescribed, and the duration of the prescription.

Source: U.S. DOJ and DEA Diverson Control Division, December 2, 2022 Collapsed Expand All

View status of all states

Nurse Practitioner Prescriptive Authority by State

State	Prescriptive Authority	Prescriptive Authority Notes
Alabama	Schedule II-V	Administer and prescribe schedule II-V. Special permit required for schedule II.
Alaska	Schedule II-V	Administer, dispense, prescribe, and procure for schedule II-V.
Arizona	Schedule II-V	Administer, order, prescribe, and procure for schedule II-V.
Arkansas	Schedule II-V	Administer, order, and prescribe for schedule III-V. Prescribe schedule II hydrocodone products with collaborative practice agreement or in accordance with Arkansas Act 593.
California	Schedule II-V	Administer, dispense, and prescribe schedule II-V. Continuing education required.
Colorado	Schedule III-V	Prescribe II-V. May dispense and administer samples.
Connecticut	Schedule III-V	Administer, dispense, prescribe, and procure for schedule II-V.
Delaware	Schedule III-V	Administer, dispense, prescribe, and procure for schedule II-V.
District of Columbia	Schedule III-V	Prescribe schedule II-V.
Florida	Schedule III-V	Administer, dispense, prescribe schedule II-V in accordance with state law.
Georgia	Schedule III-V	Administer, dispense, prescribe schedule III-V.
Hawaii	Schedule II-V	Administer and prescribe schedule II-V.
Idaho	Schedule II-V	Administer, dispense, prescribe, and procure for schedule II-V.
Illinois	Schedule II-V	Administer, dispense, and prescribe for schedule II-V. Prescribe 30 day supply for schedule II.
Indiana	Schedule II-V	Administer, dispense, prescribe, and procure for schedule II-V.
Iowa	Schedule II-V	Administer, dispense, prescribe, and procure for schedule II-V.
Kansas	Schedule II-V	Administer, dispense, prescribe, and procure for schedule II-V pursuant to collaborative agreement with prescriber.
Kentucky	Schedule II-V	Prescribe schedule II-V.
Louisiana	Schedule II-V	Dispense and prescribe schedule II-V for attention deficit disorder only.
Maine	Schedule II-V	Administer, dispense, prescribe, and procure for schedule II-V.
Maryland	Schedule II-V	Administer, dispense, prescribe, and procure for schedule II-V.
Massachusetts	Schedule II-V	Administer, prescribe, and procure for schedule II-V.
Michigan	Schedule II-V	Prescribe schedule II-V. No Controlled Dangerous Substances (CDS) certificate required. Schedule II limited to 90-day supply and requires physician’s letter.
Minnesota	Schedule II-V	Administer, dispense, prescribe, and procure for schedule II-V.
Mississippi	Schedule II-V	Administer, dispense, prescribe, and procure for schedule II-V.
Missouri	Schedule II-V	Administer, dispense, prescribe, and procure for schedule II-V with collaborative practice agreement. Five-day supply only for schedule II-III; hydrocodone products only for schedule II. Need controlled substance RX, Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs (BNDD), and professional licenses.
Montana	Schedule II-V	Administer, dispense, prescribe, and procure for schedule II-V.
Nebraska	Schedule II-V	Administer, dispense, prescribe, and procure for schedule II-V.
Nevada	Schedule II-V	Administer, dispense, prescribe, and procure for schedule II-V.
New Hampshire	Schedule II-V	Administer, dispense, prescribe, and procure for schedule II-V pursuant to formulary.
New Jersey	Schedule II-V	Prescribe schedule II-V.
New Mexico	Schedule II-V	Dispense, prescribe, and procure for schedule II-V (testosterone).
New York	Schedule II-V	Administer, dispense, prescribe, and procure for schedule II-V.
North Carolina	Schedule II-V	Dispense, prescribe, and procure for schedule II-V; schedule II-III limited to 30-day supply.
North Dakota	Schedule II-V	Administer, dispense, prescribe, and procure for schedule II-V.
Ohio	Schedule II-V	Administer, dispense, prescribe, and procure for schedule II-V.
Oklahoma	Schedule III-V	Prescribe schedule III-V.
Oregon	Schedule II-V	Administer, dispense, prescribe, and procure for schedule II-V.
Pennsylvania	Schedule II-V	Prescribe schedule II-V. Schedule II limited to 30-day supply; schedule III-V limited to 90-day supply.
Rhode Island	Schedule II-V	Administer, dispense, prescribe, and procure for schedule II-V.
South Carolina	Schedule II-V	Prescribe schedule II-V. Schedule II limited to five-day supply; schedule 2N limited to 30-day supply.
South Dakota	Schedule II-V	Administer, dispense, prescribe, and procure for schedule II-V.
Tennessee	Schedule II-V	Administer, dispense, prescribe, and procure for schedule II-V.
Texas	Schedule II-V	Administer and prescribe schedule II-V. Order and prescribe schedule II for hospital/hospice only.
Utah	Schedule II-V	Administer, dispense, prescribe, and procure for schedule II-V pursuant to formulary.
Vermont	Schedule II-V	Administer, dispense, prescribe, and procure for schedule II-V.
Virginia	Schedule II-V	Administer, dispense, prescribe, and procure for schedule II-V.
Washington	Schedule II-V	Administer, dispense, prescribe, and procure for schedule II-V.
West Virginia	Schedule III-V	Prescribe schedule II. Administer, dispense, and prescribe schedule III-V
Wisconsin	Schedule II-V	Administer, dispense, prescribe, and procure for schedule II-V.
Wyoming	Schedule II-V	Administer, dispense, prescribe, and procure for schedule II-V.

Source: U.S. DOJ and DEA Diverson Control Division, December 2, 2022

As of December 2, 2022, NPs who meet state-specific requirements and limitations can prescribe schedule II-V drugs in all states except Georgia and Oklahoma, where NPs can only prescribe schedule III-V controlled substances.

Obtaining Prescriptive Authority as a Nurse Practitioner

Requirements for obtaining nurse practitioner prescriptive authority vary by jurisdiction, with some states granting prescriptive authority as part of the licensing process and others imposing additional requirements. The procedural differences can depend on whether the state allows NPs full practice, reduced, or restricted practice authority.

Generally, prescriptive authority requires an application to the federal Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and adherence to all state requirements, including current and active licensing, potential supervisory or collaborative practice agreements, and any applicable continuing education and training. NPs use Form 224 specific to mid-level practitioners.

When nurse practitioners apply to register with the DEA, it is crucial to carefully consider the address they provide on their application. NPs working in restricted practice states must use their practice address as the designated address for both the DEA application and license.

If an NP changes employer or takes a leave of absence, they will not be granted a DEA renewal unless they can provide evidence of a new position and a supervising agreement.

Physician Involvement and Collaborative Practice Agreements

Some reduced practice states require collaborative practice agreements that detail the working relationship between physicians and nurse practitioners. These agreements include the terms of NPs’ prescriptive authority. States in which NP practice is more restrictive may require physician supervision for practice and prescribing medications.

Collaborative relationships between NPs and physicians can foster better communication and positive outcomes. As NPs become more specialized and independent, many states have allowed them to practice and prescribe more autonomously.

Today, NPs have full practice authority in 28 states and Washington D.C. The remaining states are split between reduced and restricted practice/prescribing authority, requiring collaborative practice agreements, physician oversight, or other restrictions.

Information on prescriptive authority was retrieved on August 10, 2023. Check with your state board of nursing for the most current information regarding prescriptive authority.