APRN Prescriptive Authority for Controlled Substances - CAPA-CS

Senate Bill 65, giving APRNs prescriptive authority for controlled substances, was signed by the Governor on March 6, 2006 and became effective July 12, 2006.  APRNs, however, will not begin to issue controlled substance prescriptions until the following items are completed by the APRN:

1. Establish a written CAPA-CS that meets the requirements in KRS 314.042.  
2. Notify KBN of any CAPA-CS you have entered into by filing the KBN Notification of CAPA-CS Form [KBN Format - 88KB] for each agreement.
3. Apply for and receive a Controlled Substances Registration Certificate containing your Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) number. 
4. Has been registered/certified to practice as an APRN for at least one year.

The Kentucky Coalition of Nurse Practitioners and Nurse Midwives website has detailed information on APRN Prescribing and offers editable CAPA Forms at no charge.  The Kentucky Coalition's website address is www.kcnpnm.org . 

Prior to issuing prescriptions for controlled substances, the APRN should order and be prepared to use prescription pads that meet the requirements of KRS 218A.180 and 902 KAR 55:105.

KBN has been asked to define the phrase “similar specialty” as used in the statute.  In August 2006, the Board approved the KBN Guideline to APRNs on Controlled Substance Prescriptive Authority: Defining Same or Similar Specialty [PDF Format - 35KB].  In addition, during the June 2006 meeting, the Board reviewed the meeting reports of the Controlled Substances Formulary Development Committee and approved the promulgation of a proposed Kentucky Administrative Regulation, 201 KAR 20:058 APRN controlled substances prescriptions.  This regulation has been submitted to the Legislative Research Commission for review and approval.  The proposed regulation does not further limit prescriptive authority, but establishes mandates for the Board to monitor and evaluate prescribing activities of APRNs.

Questions about APRN prescriptive authority may be addressed to Sharon E. Mercer at 502-429-3307 or toll free 1-800-305-2042, ext 3307 or Nathan Goldman at 502-429-3309.

See APRN Prescriptive Authority for Nonscheduled Legend Drugs for additional information.