Overview

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Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)

To practice as an APRN in Kentucky, you must maintain:

A current Kentucky RN license or a current RN multistate, compact license and
A current Kentucky APRN license, including a current national certification in a KBN approved population foci that is on file with the Board.

Practicing without a current RN license, APRN license, and national certification is a violation of Kentucky law and subjects an individual to disciplinary action.

ATTENTION APRNs: CAPA-CS Exemption Request (with 4 years of Prescriptive Authority – Controlled Substances)

During the 2023 Regular Session, Gov. Andy Beshear signed into law Senate Bill (SB) 94. In part, SB 94 amends Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS) 314.042 to provide for Collaborative Agreement for Prescriptive Authority-Controlled Substances (“CAPA-CS") exemption for an APRN who has prescribed controlled substances for four years, is in good standing, and meets other statutory requirements.

Please be advised, as part of the SB 94, “the review request shall include the payment of a fee set by the board through the promulgation of an administrative regulation." See Kentucky Acts Chapter 73 (SB 94), Section 1(14)(b)(4). A regulatory fee has not been formally approved by the Kentucky General Assembly and it is not yet definite; however, the Kentucky Board of Nursing (“Board") has proposed an amendment to Kentucky Administrative Regulation 201 KAR 20:240 to establish a fee of $50 to process the exemption request. An APRN may choose to wait to request the exemption until after the general assembly approves the requested fee, and Board staff anticipates the regulatory process should take 4-6 months.

However, please be advised an APRN may choose to request that Board staff process an exemption request at this time, but the APRN must agree to remit the to-be-determined statutory fee when it is ultimately set by the General Assembly; or the APRN may agree to pay $50 toward fee today. Regardless, staff cannot begin the to process the exemption request until the APRN has agreed to pay the fee. Please note the fee is not refundable, and paying the fee does not guarantee that the exemption will be granted.

You may submit an exemption request here:

Go to the bottom of your Nurse Portal Dashboard to "Other Applications" and choose "Apply."

Select "APRN-Exemption from a CAPA-CS (After Four Years) Need Fee."
There is an option within the application to pay now or pay when the regulation 201 KAR 20:057 is in effect.

After the application is completed, reviewed and approved, all CAPA-CS exemptions on file will be rescinded.

There will be a notification placed on the License Verification Portal stating:

" Has independent prescriptive authority for controlled substances per KRS 314.042."

Licensure Information

Elimination of the X-waiver

The X-waiver is a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) certification that allowed clinicians to prescribe buprenorphine (Suboxone) for treating patients who struggle with opioid addiction.

On December 29, 2022, the President signed the omnibus appropriations bill. The House passed the measure on December 23, 2022, after the Senate passed it the day before. With the bill's passage, the requirement that healthcare providers possess a DEA X-waiver to prescribe buprenorphine to treat opioid use disorder was eliminated, effective immediately.

The bill also introduced new training requirements for all prescribers. These requirements will not go into effect until June 21, 2023. The DEA and Substance Abuse and Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) are working to provide further guidance. The Board understands that the DEA will follow up with additional information on these requirements in the near future.

Dr. Gupta Applauds Omnibus Appropriations Bill That Will Expand Access to Treatment for Substance Use Disorder | ONDCP | The White House

Board staff is reviewing the repeal of the X-waiver requirement and the potential necessitated regulatory changes to comply with its elimination. Any proposed regulatory changes will need to be reviewed and recommended by the Kentucky APRN Council and the Practice Committee to be presented to the full Board. Once the Board has voted on any accepted changes, the amendments will be filed with the legislative research commission for promulgation. It is too early for Board staff to provide an estimated timeline for the promulgation of amendments to nursing regulations, or a date that any amendments might take effect.

Moreover, Kentucky statute further mandates APRN prescription limits. Board staff cautions APRNs who may consider prescribing buprenorphine without having sufficient training and education. All nurses are “responsible and accountable for making decisions that are based upon the individuals' educational preparation and experience and shall practice with reasonable skill and safety." See Kentucky Revises Statutes 314.021(2). The x-waiver is the only requirement that has been eliminated. Any other prescribing requirements under state and federal statute and regulation are still in effect.

Watch for updates in the KBN Connection and follow KBN on Facebook and Twitter.

Obtain your APRN License in Kentucky
Select the following applicable option:

Apply for your initial Kentucky APRN license using your current Kentucky RN license or your current multistate RN license.
Endorse your APRN license issued by another state using your current multistate RN license.
Reinstate your lapsed Kentucky APRN license using your current Kentucky RN license or current multistate license.

Licensure Renewal (September 15-October 31)

· Nurse licensure renewal occurs every year between September 15 – October 31. Information regarding renewals and the renewal application will be available during that time period. Please visit the KBN website during that time period for additional information.

Nurse Licensure Compact (Multistate, Compact LPN or RN License)

Obtain information about the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) for LPN and RN licenses, including information on primary state of residence and what to do if you are moving to or from another compact state. There is not currently an APRN compact.

Additional Licensure Information

Continuing Education

Practice

Substance Use Disorder – KARE Program
Obtain information about the Kentucky Alternative Recovery Effort (KARE).

How to File a Self-Complaint or Complaint Regarding the Actions of an APRN
Obtain information about how to file a self-complaint or complaint regarding the actions of an APRN.

Disciplinary Monitoring

Obtain information about disciplinary monitoring.

Legal

Obtain information regarding laws applicable to your license, legal opinions, information on administrative hearings, and proposed regulations.

Reporting Criminal Convictions, Actions in Another State, and Termination or Suspension of Professional or Business License

KRS 314.109 – Reporting a Criminal Conviction

Any person under the jurisdiction of the board shall, within ninety (90) days of entry of an order or judgment, notify the board in writing of any misdemeanor or felony criminal conviction, except traffic-related misdemeanors other than operating a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol, in this or any other jurisdiction. The person shall submit a certified or attested copy of the order and a letter of explanation.