[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Prescriptive authority for nurse practitioners (NPs) will vary widely by state. NPs are [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/careers/advanced-practice-nursing/”]advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs)[/hen-ui-link]. After completing their [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/degrees/msn/”]master of science in nursing (MSN)[/hen-ui-link] degree, an NP’s advanced training allows them prescription privileges. When warranted, NPs can prescribe medication, like antibiotics or controlled substances, that patients cannot purchase over the counter.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]However, NPs’ [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/articles/nurse-practitioner-prescriptive-authority-by-state/”]prescriptive authority[/hen-ui-link] may be restricted depending on the specific rules in their state. What medications NPs cannot prescribe depends on which state they are licensed in. For example, in some states, NPs cannot prescribe certain controlled substances that doctors are allowed to prescribe.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Learn more about NP prescription privileges and prescribing authority by state and how the prescribing roles of NPs differ from those of doctors.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-flex gap=”xl” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-flex gap=”xs” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Popular Online MSN Programs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ color=”subtext”]Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Nurse Practitioner Prescribing: Overview[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Many [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/nurse-practitioner/np-practice-authority-by-state/”]states grant full practice authority to NPs[/hen-ui-link], allowing them to practice at the top of their training without the supervision of a physician. Since NPs often work independently of doctors, they have more autonomy to manage medications than a registered nurse (RN).[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]NPs and doctors prescribe drugs based partly on this “Schedule” classification system. The scheduled classification system identifies medications that have the potential to be abused or cause dependency in individuals. These medications are also referred to as controlled substances.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The scheduled drugs below are regulated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the state an NP practices in, and if they have a collaborative agreement with a doctor.[/hen-ui-text]

[hen-ui-table][hen-ui-table-caption]NP Prescription Overview[/hen-ui-table-caption][hen-ui-table-header][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Schedule[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Description[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Examples[/hen-ui-table-head][/hen-ui-table-row][/hen-ui-table-header][hen-ui-table-body][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Schedule”]I[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Description”]Drugs with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for harmful use[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Examples”]Heroin, LSD, MDMA of “Molly”[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Schedule”]II[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Description”]Drugs with a high potential for harmful use, potentially leading to severe psychological or physical dependence; these drugs are also considered dangerous[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Examples”]Adderall, fentanyl, amphetamine[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Schedule”]III[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Description”]Drugs with a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence; Schedule III drugs’ potential for harmful use is less than Schedule I and II drugs but more than Schedule IV[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Examples”]Vicodin, Tylenol with codeine, ketamine[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Schedule”]IV[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Description”]Drugs with a low potential for harmful use and low risk of dependence[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Examples”]Alprazolam, clonazepam, diazepam[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Schedule”]V[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Description”]Drugs with a lower potential for harmful use than Schedule IV drugs and consist of limited quantities of certain narcotics; Schedule V drugs are generally used for antidiarrheal, antitussive, and analgesic purposes.[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Examples”]Lomotil, Motofen, Lyrica[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][/hen-ui-table-body][/hen-ui-table]

[hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Medical providers with prescriptive authority do not prescribe Schedule I drugs. The federal government ruled Schedule I drugs have no accepted medical use in the U.S. However, in some states like New York, [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/articles/steps-to-become-certified-medical-marijuana-new-york/”]NPs can prescribe medical marijuana[/hen-ui-link], which is classified as a Schedule I drug.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Antibiotics, antidepressants, blood pressure and diabetic medications fall outside of these categories. They are considered non-controlled substances. NPs can prescribe these medications.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]NP Prescribing Authority: State by State[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/articles/nurse-practitioner-prescriptive-authority-by-state/”]NP prescribing authority varies by state[/hen-ui-link]. The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) divides how NPs can prescribe into three categories:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Full practice[/hen-ui-text] permits NPs to prescribe independently.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Reduced practice[/hen-ui-text] may require a collaborative practice agreement with a physician or limits on the prescribed medications.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Restricted practice[/hen-ui-text] requires physician supervision or delegation when prescribing controlled substances.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]For example, NPs licensed in Georgia can only administer, dispense, and prescribe scheduled drugs III-V. However, in Washington, NPs can administer, dispense, prescribe, and acquire scheduled drugs II-V.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]NPs licensed in Georgia must also complete 15 hours of continued education in pharmacology every time they renew their license.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]NPs in states that allow prescriptions of scheduled drugs II-V can prescribe psychiatric medications like Adderall, which is classified as a Schedule II drug.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]What Medications Can Nurse Practitioners Not Prescribe?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Depending on the classification of drugs, state regulations, and if NPs have full practice authority, there are medications NPs cannot prescribe.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In all states except Georgia, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and West Virginia, NPs can prescribe medications like physicians. NPs in these three states may need physician approval for certain prescriptions. Some NPs are also prohibited from prescribing Schedule II drugs like Adderall, methadone, or fentanyl.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]However, in many states, NPs can prescribe several common medications that doctors also prescribe, such as antibiotics, antifungals, hypertensive medications, and diabetic medications. Make sure to check what is allowed in your state.[/hen-ui-text]

[hen-ui-table][hen-ui-table-caption]NP Prescription Authority by Medication[/hen-ui-table-caption][hen-ui-table-header][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Drug [/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Yes, NPs can prescribe [/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Yes, with a Physician Consultation[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]No[/hen-ui-table-head][/hen-ui-table-row][/hen-ui-table-header][hen-ui-table-body][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Drug”]Azithromycin (Antibiotic)[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Yes, NPs can prescribe”]All states [/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Yes, with a Physician Consultation”]All states [/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”No”]N/A[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Drug”]Adderall [/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Yes, NPs can prescribe”]Most states[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Yes, with a Physician Consultation”]Texas, Missouri, South Carolina[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”No”]Georgia, Oklahoma, West Virginia [/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Drug”]Ozempic [/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Yes, NPs can prescribe”]All states [/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Yes, with a Physician Consultation”]All states[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”No”]N/A[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Drug”]Zoloft (antidepressant)[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Yes, NPs can prescribe”]All states[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Yes, with a Physician Consultation”]All states [/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”No”]N/A[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Drug”]Tretinoin [/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Yes, NPs can prescribe”]All states [/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Yes, with a Physician Consultation”]All states [/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”No”]N/A[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Drug”]Vicodin [/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Yes, NPs can prescribe”]Most states [/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Yes, with a Physician Consultation”]Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”No”]Virgin Islands [/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][/hen-ui-table-body][/hen-ui-table]

[hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How Are Nurse Practitioners Different From Doctors?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/resources/choosing-nursing-school-or-medical-school/”]NPs and doctors[/hen-ui-link] have similar roles, but [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/resources/choosing-nursing-school-or-medical-school/”]differences [/hen-ui-link]do exist.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The primary difference between these two roles involves the educational pathways and training required. Doctors must complete a bachelor’s degree and a doctor of medicine degree. NPs also graduate with bachelor’s degrees, but instead, they earn a [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/degrees/msn/best-online-msn-programs/”]master of science in nursing (MSN) [/hen-ui-link]or a [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/degrees/dnp/”]doctor of nursing practice (DNP)[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In addition, doctors participate in a residency while NPs complete a practicum. Residency is longer than NP practicums — several years for doctors compared to 1-2 years for NPs.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Overall, it takes about 10 years to become a fully practicing and licensed doctor. Nurse practitioners can earn their licensure after about six years, although many take longer by gaining experience in their [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/registered-nursing/”]registered nurse career[/hen-ui-link] before applying to DNP or MSN programs.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Once they begin carrying out their professional duties, doctors also have more autonomy than NPs. For example, they do not need to enter into collaborative or supervisory agreements with other healthcare professionals to prescribe medication. In some states, NPs have full practice autonomy, but several states restrict nurse practitioners.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]FAQs: Nurse Practitioners and Prescribing Drugs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Which nurses can prescribe medicines?” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Registered nurses cannot prescribe medication. Only advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), including nurse practitioners, can, depending on where they are licensed and whether the state allows nurse practitioners full practice and full prescriptive authority.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Can nurse practitioners prescribe medicine in my state?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]As long as a nurse practitioner is licensed and certified in their state of practice, they can prescribe non-controlled medications such as antibiotics, antidepressants, high blood pressure, and diabetic medications. When prescribing more controlled substances, NPs may only be allowed to prescribe certain medications. NP prescribing authority varies, so check [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/nurse-practitioner/np-practice-authority-by-state/”]your state’s NP prescribing laws[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Can an NP prescribe Adderall?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Yes, in nearly all cases. Adderall is classified by the federal government as a [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.dea.gov/drug-information/drug-scheduling” target=”_blank”]Schedule II drug[/hen-ui-link], meaning it is considered to have “a high potential for abuse.” A small handful of states restrict or [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/articles/nurse-practitioner-prescriptive-authority-by-state/”]do not allow NPs to prescribe[/hen-ui-link] Schedule II drugs, but in the vast majority of cases, NPs can prescribe Adderall to patients they believe have a medical need for the drug.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Can nurse practitioners diagnose?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Yes, nurse practitioners are trained to diagnose, assess, and treat conditions and prescribe medications. [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/nurse-practitioner/np-practice-authority-by-state/”]Some states require NPs[/hen-ui-link] to deliver care under the supervision of a medical doctor, while in many others, NPs can work independently.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item][/hen-ui-accordion]