NAC632.257. Authorization to issue written prescriptions for controlled substances, poisons, dangerous drugs and devices.

     1. An applicant for a certificate of recognition as an advanced practitioner of nursing will be authorized to issue written prescriptions for controlled substances, poisons, dangerous drugs and devices only if the applicant:

     (a) Is authorized to do so by the Board;

     (b) Submits an application for authority to issue written prescriptions for controlled substances, poisons, dangerous drugs or devices to the Board; and

     (c) Has successfully completed:

          (1) A program that complies with the requirements set forth in paragraph (a) of subsection 1 of NAC 632.260 and includes an advanced course in pharmacotherapeutics; or

          (2) A program of academic study that:

               (I) Is approved by the Board;

               (II) Consists of at least 2 semester credits or an equivalent number of quarter credits in advanced pharmacotherapeutics; and

               (III) Is completed within the 2 years immediately preceding the date the application is submitted to the Board.

     2. In addition to the information contained in the application for a certificate of recognition as an advanced practitioner of nursing, an applicant who completes, before June 1, 2005, a program designed to prepare an advanced practitioner of nursing and who does not hold a master’s or doctorate degree with a major in nursing or a related health field approved by the Board must, in his or her application for authority to write a prescription for controlled substances, poisons, dangerous drugs and devices, include documentation of 1,000 hours of active practice prescribing medication in the immediately preceding 2 years as an advanced practitioner of nursing under the direct supervision of a collaborating physician. The documentation must consist of a signed statement from the collaborating physician indicating to the Board that the applicant is competent to prescribe those classes of drugs listed in his or her protocols.

     3. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 4, if an advanced practitioner of nursing who is authorized to prescribe certain controlled substances, poisons, dangerous drugs and devices changes his or her clinical specialty, he or she must submit an application to the Board for authority to prescribe those controlled substances, poisons, dangerous drugs and devices which are currently within the standard of practice in that clinical specialty. In addition to the information contained in an application submitted pursuant to this subsection, an advanced practitioner of nursing who completes, before June 1, 2005, a program designed to prepare an advanced practitioner of nursing and who does not hold a master’s or doctorate degree with a major in nursing or a related health field approved by the Board must include in his or her application documentation of 1,000 hours of active practice prescribing medication in the new clinical specialty as an advanced practitioner of nursing under the direct supervision of a collaborating physician.

     4. An advanced practitioner of nursing who:

     (a) Is authorized to prescribe certain controlled substances, poisons, dangerous drugs and devices; and

     (b) Changes his or her clinical specialty to a clinical specialty that is substantially similar to his or her former clinical specialty,

Ê is not required to submit to the Board the application required pursuant to subsection 3 if the Board has authorized him or her to prescribe controlled substances, poisons, dangerous drugs and devices in the practice of his or her former clinical specialty.

     (Added to NAC by Bd. of Nursing, eff. 4-27-84; A 3-28-86, eff. 4-3-86; 8-5-86; 3-26-90; R141-97, 1-26-98; R122-01, 12-17-2001; R091-04, 8-13-2004; R196-07, 4-17-2008; R113-11, 9-14-2012)